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Research Priorities in 2005
Expert Committee on Organic Agriculture
The Expert Committee on Organic Agriculture agreed to put forward one research priority each year, for each of 7 categories. The categories are 1) animals, 2) plants, 3) soils, 4) ecological systems, 5) health and food quality, 6) marketing and 7) policy. Although there was considerable discussion, the priorities for 2005 are listed as succinct statements with the intent of providing focus and emphasis so that Canadian researchers can respond to clear research needs.
Research Category |
Priorities |
Animals |
Design animal production systems that are most conducive
to normal animal behaviour and animal health, while enhancing food |
Plants |
Conduct research focused on preventative pest management. |
Soils |
Assess short and long term soil fertility issues (for example the availability and/or buildup of organic matter, phosphorus, nitrate, zinc, copper, calcium and sulfur). |
Ecological Systems |
Determine how to optimize energy use on organic farms. |
Health and Food Quality |
Identify links between healthy soils and healthy food. |
Marketing |
Identify emerging consumer trends, serviced by imports, and the opportunities and barriers to investment and development in domestic production that could respond to emerging markets. |
Policy |
Assess the impact of new GMO crops (e.g. alfalfa) on organic systems, while considering regulatory and liability issues. |