PCO’s 2013 Standards Meeting

2013 Winter Standards Meeting

Pennsylvania Certified Organic, a USDA-accredited organic certification agency, invites members and the public to the Winter Standards Meeting for presentations and discussion on proposed organic policies. PCO will also present an update on the development of our Periodic Residue Testing and Unannounced Inspections programs. The meeting will be held on February 1, 2013 from 10:00AM to 3:00PM at the Gap Family Center, located at 835 Houston Run Drive in Gap, PA.

The proposed policy revisions to be discussed include dehorning, disbudding, and castration procedures in accordance with the organic regulations that require producers to establish and maintain preventative livestock health care practices, including performance of physical alterations as needed to promote the animal’s welfare and in a manner that minimizes pain and stress. The proposed policy includes accomplishing these procedures at the earliest possible age of the animal, the required use of approved pain management medication, and age restrictions for certain methods.

Also on the agenda is the PCO 100% Grass Fed Livestock Production Policy. This establishes production standards for an optional additional certification scope for PCO-certified ruminant livestock operators for 100% grass fed meat and dairy products. Operators will be allowed to use the PCO 100% grass fed seal on products that are certified to these standards by PCO. Given the protein and energy imbalances that can accrue from 100% forage diets, PCO is seeking feedback from membership to determine if, how much, and what non-forage feedstuffs should be allowed in a grass fed livestock production system.

PCO will also discuss certification of beekeeping operations as organic. More and more bee farmers are interested being certified for organic honey production, so the PCO Standards Committee is currently working with professionals in the field of apiculture and has adapted elements from a final recommendation from the National Organic Standards Board that was passed in 2009. However, this policy is not meant to require the use of organic bees for organic crop pollination.

Lastly, PCO is developing a policy to regulate the production and processing of organic maple syrup and other maple products. PCO has already certified several organic maple production and processing operations using private standards established in 1999 by the Organic Trade Association. Whereas this private standard remains a useful resource for particular areas of production that are not specifically addressed in the USDA National Organic Program (NOP) regulations, the new PCO policy will include requirements for the management of trees to bring them into alignment with the NOP requirements.

Based on the feedback received by PCO membership, PCO may make minor revisions to the proposed policies. Ballots will be mailed to Supporting and certified members in February to cast your vote for the policies that will best assure the organic integrity of certified organic products in the marketplace, and each organization or operation is allowed one vote. Associate members, business members, PCO staff, and non-members are not eligible to vote for policy changes.

Please contact the Kathryn Tokarz at 814-422-0251 or email at kathryn@paorganic.org. Lunch is included.

Sponsorship opportunities are available! This is a free meeting for our members and the public. What is included in a sponsorship? Your logo/link will be placed on the Standards Meeting Registration page, recognition at the meeting and your company will be mentioned in the post press release of the meeting. Please contact Kathryn Tokarz at 814-422-0251 or email at kathryn@paorganic.org if you are interested in sponsoring the meeting.

Schedule:

10:00 AM – 10:05 Welcome

10:05 – 10:20 NOP Standards Update

10:20 – 10:50 Apiculture Production Proposed Policy

10:50 – 11:05 Maple Production Proposed Policy

11:05 – 11:55 100% Grass Fed Livestock Production Proposed Policy

11:55 – 12:45 PM Lunch

12:45 – 1:05 Pasture Rule Update

1:05 – 1:35 Dehorning Procedures Proposed Policy

1:35 – 2:05 Castration Procedures Proposed Policy

2:05 – 2:50 Unannounced Inspections and Residue Testing Update

2:50 – 3:00 Closing