Canadian Organic Regime Compiled Information Questionnaire

Do you the (consumer/producer/importer) agree or identify with the issues detailed?
Yes
No

What other issues do you feel need to be identified?

Does the current organic standard work as a voluntary program?
Yes
No

If you feel it does not work, please explain why.

Do you feel the Canadian government should be responsible for enforcing a national organic standard?
Yes
No

Do you feel there is a lack of consistency and uniformity in organic products in Canada?
Yes
No

Current Situation
(Use this link to access "Current Situation" information)

Are you aware that there are no national regulations specific to organics in Canada?
Yes
No

Did you know that Quebec currently has a mandatory regulatory system for organic products produced, sold, imported and exported?
Yes
No

Did you know that the European Union will require by the year 2005, a comprehensive equivalent inspection in Canada for products to be exported?
Yes
No

How important is it for Canada to be able to export to the European Union and other countries requiring national certification procedures?

Stakeholders identified 6 specific problems :

Consumers are confused
(Use this link to access "Consumers are confused" information)

Do you know what the difference is between an organic product and a natural product?
Yes
No

Does seeing an organic logo impact your decision to purchase a product?
Yes
No

Are you confused by the different logos on the market today?
Yes
No

Does an organic logo on products make you confident that the product is safer or healthier?
Yes
No

Do you know what the definition of an organic product is?
Yes
No

What do you think an organic product should be defined as?

If you suspect a product is falsely labeled as organic, where do you go to lodge a complaint?

Would you like to see a central or national agency for complaints and investigation?
Yes
No

Who should pay the costs for investigations, complaints and possible legal action?

Consumer is not protected
(Use this link to access "Consumer is not protected" information)

Can a national organic standard be enforced?
Yes
No

Do you think producers and importers are adhering to the voluntary provincial standards?
Yes
No

If you answered no, why not?

Should organic producers be able to choose which organization certifies their products?
Yes
No

Is the current certification system complete?
Yes
No

If you answered no, why not?

Are certification fees affordable and consistent from organization to organization?
Yes
No

Operators are having difficulty exporting
(Use this link to access "Operators are having difficulty exporting" information)

What are some of the problems facing exporters of Canadian organic products?

Do the current Canadian organic standards allow for efficient export of goods to countries such as Japan, USA, Europe and the UK?
Yes
No

Would a uniform national standard for organic certification requirements and regulations contribute to the development of the organic sector?
Yes
No

Traders need a national symbol
(Use this link to access "Traders need a national symbol" information)

Do you feel there is a lack of credibility of the present organic labeling in Canada?
Yes
No

Do you feel there is a need for a national organic symbol?
Yes
No

Would a national symbol create consumer confidence?
Yes
No

Would a national seal will help create an advantage on the national market?
Yes
No

No regulation on imports
(Use this link to access "No regulation on imports" information)

Is the current lack of control over organic product is creating environment whereby there is not a level playing field?
Yes
No

If so, why?

Is the competition between countries fair?
Yes
No

If not, please explain why not.

Should current imports of organic products be inspected?
Yes
No

Should current importers have to validate their products and standards?
Yes
No

No regulation on domestic product
(Use this link to access "No regulation on domestic product" information)

Should local producers who sell products locally have to adhere to a national standard?
Yes
No

Should small producers have to be certified to sell products within their own province?
Yes
No

Should a national standard apply to only those companies/producers that want to export their goods?
Yes
No

Does the current inconsistency among accreditation agencies, certification bodies and logos create unfair advantages between interprovincial trade?
Yes
No

Risk Analysis
(Use this link to access "Risk Analysis" information)

Health Issues
(Use this link to access "Health Issues" information)

Do you have any evidence that the use of organic production methods reduces health risks to consumers?
Yes
No

Safety Issues
(Use this link to access "Safety Issues" information)

Do you have any evidence that the use of organic production methods reduces the safety of food to consumers?
Yes
No

Do you want to see more detailed food labels?
Yes
No

Social Issues
(Use this link to access "Social Issues" information)

Do you think that national organic legislation will reduce or eliminate the risk of fraud?
Yes
No

Benefit-Cost Analysis
(Use this link to access "Benefit-Cost Analysis" information)

Will producers/importers/consumers be willing to pay for a national legislation program?
Yes
No

Will producers/importers be willing to pay for certification?
Yes
No

Is the present cost of accreditation too high?
Yes
No

Regulatory Burden
(Use this link to access "Regulatory Burden" information)

Will the industry be affected by the proposed regulation in a positive or negative way?
Yes
No

Please explain.

Multi-Disciplinary Regulatory Challenge and Analytical Team (MRCAT)

Do you want a national policy will help protect the consumer?
Yes
No

In what ways?

Are consumers confused about the organic industry and what it represents?
Yes
No

If there is a national regulation, will the number of fraud complaints increase?
Yes
No

Who should shoulder the burden of cost to implement a national regulation?
Yes
No

Feedback

Information provided on this questionnaire will be collected and used by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada to conduct research on the regulation of organic claims, while information provided on the feedback form will be used to ensure an adequate response is provided to submitted questions or inquiries.

Your personal information is protected by the Privacy Act and will be used only for the purposes for which it is collected. It will be stored in AAFC's personal data bank AAFC/PPU 193. You may at any time, request a review, update or correction of this information. Any questions, comments or concerns regarding privacy may be directed to the departmental Privacy Manager at (613)759-7095.