Introduction

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) have been working with the organic industry to assess the need and develop options for a mandatory organic regulation. The CFIA is evaluating options where it would oversee a regime which ensures a consistent compliance plan for the production, export, import, handling, and management practices for organic products.

Between January and April 2004, AAFC and the CFIA will coordinate consultation sessions across Canada to gather information required to complete the Regulatory Proposal Assessment (RPA). The consultations are open to the public (Use this link to access the Consultations schedule). This website provides information regarding the current organic situation/problem, regulatory options and alternative solutions, risk analysis, cost-benefit analysis, regulatory burden, the organic regulatory consultations schedule and agenda, possible options, and the preferred proposal for a National organic regime.

The public is invited to read the documents that will be circulated during the consultation sessions and to provide views via this website. The compiled information will be used to complete the sections of the RPA with respect to the current situation/problem, the benefit-cost analysis, and regulatory burden. Please send your answers and comments by April 2, 2004. (Use this link to access the questionnaire)