Expert Committee on Organic Agriculture

Research Priorities for 2007

The Expert Committee on Organic Agriculture (ECOA) has developed research priorities for each of 8 categories. The categories are 1) animals, 2) plants, 3) soils, 4) ecological systems, 5) health and food quality, 6) marketing and 7) policy and 8) sustainable agriculture and rural communities. The priorities for 2007 build on those developed in 2005 and 2006 and are listed as succinct statements with some areas of concentration noted.

As a General Research Priority, ECOA recommends establishing funds and an application procedure to facilitate research in organic agriculture and food, to address the goals of carrying out research for the public good, including long term research, making research results publicly available and reducing requirements for matching funding from industry.

1) Animals

Design animal production systems that are most conducive to normal animal behaviour and animal health, while enhancing food safety.

Suggested areas of concentration are:

parasite control in livestock (especially sheep)
outdoor management systems with poultry in light of Avian flu
optimally designed systems for organic swine (in light of parasites, environmental concerns and rodent management)
developing a scientific basis for stocking density and indoor space requirements

NEW!! Animal Welfare Task Force of the Expert Committee on Organic Agriculture

NEW section of the OACC website!! Farm Animal Welfare in Organic Livestock Production

2) Plants

Conduct research focused on preventative pest management. Select and breed for plant varieties that adapt to diversified landscapes, regions, and changing climates and are disease and pest resistant/tolerant and competitive with weeds, and improve food quality and yield adequately, under organic management.

Suggested areas of concentration are:

to develop and design plant/crop production systems with an emphasis on preventative pest management
blight in potatoes, ragweed, yellow mustard, Canada thistle, quackgrass, kochia, tarnish plant bug, carrot maggot, cucumber beetle, wireworm, apple maggot, apple scab, cutworm

3) Soils

Develop integrated nutrient management systems (soils, crops, feeds, livestock, manures/composts) and evaluate sustainability of organic production.

Suggested areas of concentration are:

elucidating soil microbiological activity and how to enhance it
assessing short and long term soil fertility issues (for example the availability and/or buildup of organic matter, phosphorus, nitrate, zinc, copper, calcium and sulphur)
evaluating acceptable organic resources on a regional basis

4) Ecological Systems

To assess and improve ecological goods and services (EG&S) in organic production systems.

Suggested areas of concentration are:

assessing air quality (e.g. greenhouse gases)
assessing water quality and water use efficiency,
assessing soil quality
assessing biodiversity
optimizing energy use efficiency and resources, on organic farms.

5) Health and Food Quality

Identify links between healthy soils and healthy food

Suggested areas of concentration are:

evaluating the concentration of nutrients, antioxidants and other bio-constituents in food products
assessing the relationships between the quality of soils, amendments, plants, animals and food
assessing the impact of management on the quality of soils, amendments, plants, animals and food

6) 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.

Suggested areas of concentration are:

assessing the impact of a Canada Organic logo
Canadian organic market research;
- assessing the preference for Canadian or regional/local products and the relationship to price
- characterizing the Canadian organic market (import, export, distribution channels)

7) Policy

a. Assess the impact of new Genetically Engineered (GE) crops (e.g. alfalfa) on organic systems, while considering regulatory and liability issues. Conduct research to inform policy makers on the issues surrounding GE crops related to their ecological, social and economic impacts on agriculture, including organic agriculture.

Suggested areas of concentration are:

threshold levels
pathways of contamination (example grain handling, seed, etc)
effects on pollinators
legislative models for dealing with liability issues
strategies for developing GE free zones
practical methods of detection and limiting contamination

b. Develop policy mechanisms for payment and/or recognition of ecological goods and services (EG&S) in organic production systems.

c. Research models of land use (e.g. no-development zones) on land values and availability of land for organic farming.

d. Research models for new entrants programs to organic agriculture.

8) Sustainable Agriculture and Rural Communities

Study, evaluate and make public policy recommendations for organic agriculture as a form of sustainable agriculture that is environmentally, socially and economically responsible, and supportive of rural communities.

Suggested areas of concentration are: