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BC Organic
Industry Overview
Organic farming involves the production of food and other
agricultural products without the use of synthetic inputs such as
chemical fertilizers, chemical pesticides, chemical growth
regulators or hormones, and antibiotics.
Organic farming falls under the Food Choice and Disclosure Act.
The Organic Agricultural Products Certification Regulation
enables farmers to:
- obtain a certificate confirming that they are following
prescribed production methods.
- upon certification, advertise their produce as being certified
organic.
The prescribed production standards were established by the
Certified Organic Associations of British Columbia in collaboration
with the B.C. Ministry of Agriculture and Lands. To be
considered for certification, farmers wishing to market organic
crops must have kept their land chemical-free for three years and
continue to do so. Farmers wishing to market organic meat, poultry
and other livestock products must use chemical free feed and no
medication. To ensure standards are observed at all times, organic
growers are subject to both regular scheduled and unannounced
inspections.
The Certified Organic Associations of British Columbia (COABC) is
an umbrella organization representing provincial organic certifying
agencies. It is designated under the Act to implement the British
Columbia Certified Organic Program. Organic produce is identified by
the designation British Columbia Certified Organic.
Excerpt: BCMAL
Farm Practices
Estimated Number of Farms*
|
Fruit |
Vegetable |
B.C. |
175 |
135 |
Quebec |
55 |
75 |
Ontario |
85 |
140 |
Canada |
365 |
415 |
* Organic farms producing both fruits and vegetables
are included in each column. The numbers have been rounded to the
nearest five farms or acres.
Estimated Areas (acres)*
B.C. |
1,350 |
1,340 |
Quebec |
515 |
600 |
Ontario |
995 |
2,025 |
Canada |
4,300 |
4,200 |
* Organic farms producing both fruits and vegetables are included
in each column. The numbers have been rounded to the nearest five
farms or acres.
B.C. Vegetable Area -
Selected Crops** |
Organic
(acres) |
Total (acres) |
Broccoli |
124 |
1,440 |
Carrots |
75 |
785 |
Leeks |
8 |
40 |
Lettuce |
46 |
760 |
Shallots |
33 |
90 |
Spinach |
27 |
135 |
Radish |
19 |
120 |
Squash & Zucchinis |
43 |
345 |
Tomatoes |
19 |
185 |
B.C. Fruit Area -
Selected Crops |
|
|
Apples |
719 |
15,750 |
Peaches |
66 |
1,195 |
Pears |
60 |
825 |
Raspberries |
100 |
4,985 |
Strawberries |
53 |
1,600 |
* Organic farms
producing both fruits and vegetables are included in each
column. The numbers have been rounded to the nearest five
farms or acres. |
Excerpt: BCMAL: Fast
Stats 2004
Additional Statistics:
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