Canadians to Hold Workshops on New Organic Standards

The Organic Trade Association (OTA) in Canada, the International Organic Inspectors Association , and the Canadian Organic Growers are offering a series of workshops on Canada’s new organic standards.

The workshops will be delivered across Canada throughout February and March, 2009.

Sessions will be tailored to the specific information needs for producers, processors, inspectors and certifiers.

PROCESSOR TRAININGS

Four one-day processor trainings will be held near major city airports. The processor workshops will provide an overview of the Canada Organic Regime, new processing standards, the permitted substances list for manufacturers (including materials, processing aids, cleaners), guidance on ingredients sourcing, and a full label guide and decision tree. The workshops are led by industry experts and inspector trainers, as well as officials from the Canadian Food Inspection Agency's Canada Organic Office.

8:30 AM - 5:00 PMMontreal, Tuesday March 3, 2009 **Note: Montreal session is in French**Toronto, Thursday March 5, 2009Vancouver, Tuesday March 10, 2009Toronto, Thursday March 12, 2009

Cost (all figures CAD$):$475 - OTA members discounted rate (first registrant)$575 - non-members (first registrant)$350 - each, per second & third registrant per company** fourth & fifth registrant per company are free

CLICK HERE to register for processor workshops

INSPECTOR / CERTIFIER TRAININGS

The International Organic Inspectors Association is coordinating Canadian inspector and certifier trainings in February and March 2009.

Please visit the IOIA website for information on dates and registration.

PRODUCER TRAININGS

The producer workshops will provide an overview of the Canadian Organic Regime, the principals of organic production, the key components of the crop and livestock standards, and the Permitted Substances List. Canadian Organic Growers is offering more 35 one-day training sessions across Canada, so chances are, there will be a workshop near you this winter.

British Columbia (four sessions)Alberta (four sessions)Saskatchewan (six sessions)

Manitoba (four sessions)Ontario (six sessions)Quebec (six sessions)New Brunswick (one session)Nova Scotia (one session)Prince Edward Island (one session)Newfoundland and Labrador (one session)Yukon (one session)

Cost: $25 / ea. for Canadian producers

For more information, please call 613-482-1717 or write to otacanada@ota.com