 |
 |
 |
|
 |
Off-farm inputs (fertilizers, pesticides, soil conditioners, etc.) for use in organic farming
According to the principles of organic farming fertility and biological activity of the soil shall be maintained and increased by multiannual crop rotation and the prevention of damage caused by pests, diseases and weeds shall rely primarily on the protection by natural enemies, the choice of species and varieties, crop rotation, cultivation techniques and thermal processes. In the case these measures are not sufficient to provide soil fertility and crop pest control, commercial off-farm inputs may be used in conformity with the respective standard rules and restrictions.
The various organic standards, have different requirements for the off-farm inputs allowed to be used for organic farming. In most cases it is impossible from a product label to determine if an input can be used. This leads to difficulties for the input manufacturers to sell their products to a wide-spectrum of organic farmers and for the organic farmers to recognize if a product can be use in organic farming according to a particular organic standard.
Services offered by IMO concerning Off-Farm Inputs
The various organic standards, have different requirements for the off-farm inputs allowed to be used for organic farming. In most cases it is impossible from a product label to determine if an input can be used. This leads to difficulties for the input manufacturers to sell their products to a wide-spectrum of organic farmers and for the organic farmers to recognize if a product can be use in organic farming according to a particular organic standard.
Services offered by IMO concerning Off-Farm Inputs
1. Certification
2. Registration
Regulation (EU) NR. 834/2007 and 889/2008
The central pillars of the certification system are the clarification whether the product corresponds to the Regulation (EU) 834/2007 and 889/2008 and if deemed necessary and indicated by the type of input an annual physical inspection of the production unit and the information provided about the input, the evaluation by an expert of IMO as well as the certification by the certification committee.
If the activities are found to be in compliance with the exception of minor shortcomings certification of the farm input for the use in organic agriculture analogous to Regulation (EU) 834/2007 and 889/2008 will be granted. Requirements may be included for the correction of the stated minor non-conformities within a set period of time.
The certification has to be renewed annually.
The farm input produced analogous to the Regulation (EU) 834/2007 and 889/2008 may be labelled as "Approved for the use in organic agriculture acc. to Reg. (EU) 834/2007 and 889/2008" and the logo of IMO might be used on the label but not the code number SCESp 004.
If the activities are found to be in compliance with the exception of minor shortcomings certification of the farm input for the use in organic agriculture analogous to Regulation (EU) 834/2007 and 889/2008 will be granted. Requirements may be included for the correction of the stated minor non-conformities within a set period of time.
The certification has to be renewed annually.
The farm input produced analogous to the Regulation (EU) 834/2007 and 889/2008 may be labelled as "Approved for the use in organic agriculture acc. to Reg. (EU) 834/2007 and 889/2008" and the logo of IMO might be used on the label but not the code number SCESp 004.
NOP
The central pillars of the approval system are the verification whether the product corresponds to the Subpart G of the National Organic Program (NOP), if deemed necessary and indicated by the type of input an annual physical inspection of the production unit, the evaluation by an expert of IMO and approval by the certification committee.
If the activities are found to be in compliance with exception of minor shortcomings certification of the off farm input for the use in organic agriculture according to the US National Organic Program (NOP) will be granted. Requirements may be included for the correction of the stated minor non-conformities within a set period of time period.
The formulation of an input must fulfil the following minimum requirements:
The off farm input may be labelled as "Approved for the use in organic agriculture acc. to NOP" and the logo of IMO might be indicated on the label as well.
If the activities are found to be in compliance with exception of minor shortcomings certification of the off farm input for the use in organic agriculture according to the US National Organic Program (NOP) will be granted. Requirements may be included for the correction of the stated minor non-conformities within a set period of time period.
The formulation of an input must fulfil the following minimum requirements:
- Active ingredients: must be listed on the National List (§ 205.601)
- Inert ingredients: must be listed on EPA list 4A or 4B or also on list 3 in case of passive pheromone dispensers
The off farm input may be labelled as "Approved for the use in organic agriculture acc. to NOP" and the logo of IMO might be indicated on the label as well.
JAS
The central pillars of the approval system are the clarification whether the product corresponds to the Japanese Agricultural Standard of Organic Agricultural Products (JAS) and if deemed necessary and indicated by the type of input an annual physical inspection of the production unit, the evaluation by an expert of IMO and approval by the certification committee.
If the activities are found to be in compliance with exception of minor shortcomings certification of the farm input for the use in organic agriculture according to the Notification 1605 for organic agricultural products and 1606 for organic processed foods related to the Japanese Agricultural Standard of Organic Agricultural Products (JAS) will be granted.
This approval has to be renewed annually.
The off farm input may be labelled as "Approved for the use in organic agriculture acc. to JAS" and the logo of IMO or the JAS seal might be indicated on the label but not the registration number of IMO at MAFF.
If the activities are found to be in compliance with exception of minor shortcomings certification of the farm input for the use in organic agriculture according to the Notification 1605 for organic agricultural products and 1606 for organic processed foods related to the Japanese Agricultural Standard of Organic Agricultural Products (JAS) will be granted.
This approval has to be renewed annually.
The off farm input may be labelled as "Approved for the use in organic agriculture acc. to JAS" and the logo of IMO or the JAS seal might be indicated on the label but not the registration number of IMO at MAFF.
