2008 Report of the OVCRT Research Working Group (Expert Committee on Organic Agriculture, ECOA) (PDF, 320 kb)

Research Priorities for 2008
Expert Committee on Organic Agriculture (ECOA)

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 2008 build on those developed in 2005 through 2007 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. ECOA also recommends investigating research accomplishments in other areas of the world that relate to the research needs of organic agriculture in Canada.

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:

animal welfare issues in dairy husbandry (includes animal health, housing, pasture nutrition, etc)
parasite prevention and 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)
grazing nutrition

2) Plants

Select and breed for plant varieties suitable for organic management especially in fruits and vegetables that are;

adapted to diversified landscapes, regions, and changing climates
disease and pest resistant/tolerant and competitive with weeds, improve food quality and yield adequately

Suggested areas of concentration are:

weeds - ragweed, yellow mustard, Canada thistle, quackgrass, kochia,
insects - tarnish plant bug, carrot maggot, cucumber beetle, wireworm, apple maggot, cutworm
diseases - apple scab, blight in potatoes, need to replace copper products

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 biological activity and how to manage it beneficially
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 input substances on a regional basis

4) Ecological Systems

To assess and improve ecological goods and services (EG&S). To evaluate the interrelationships of ecological factors in organic farming 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 organic systems, healthy food and risk reduction. Links between between food and human health.

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
identify the impacts of organic food on human health

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
assessing the range and implementation of alternative marketing models including co-operatives, local marketing, other (e.g. fair trade)
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, manure/compost, 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. Assess the impact of nano-technology on organic systems (prohibited in organic standards in EU based on precautionary principle)

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

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

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

f. Research alternative models of intellectual property ownership to ensure public access to genetic diversity of varieties in the organic sector.

8) Sustainable Agriculture and Sustainable 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 and urban communities.

Suggested areas of concentration are:

assessing how organic agriculture can strengthen the relationships between rural and urban communities
assessing the impacts and feasibility of urban organic agriculture
developing linkages with researchers into sustainable livelihoods in developing countries

Posted May, 2008

Research Priorities for 2008 Expert Committee on Organic Agriculture (ECOA)

1) Animals

2) Plants

3) Soils

4) Ecological Systems

5) Health and Food Quality

6) Marketing

7) Policy

8) Sustainable Agriculture and Sustainable Communities

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Research Priorities for 2008
Expert Committee on Organic Agriculture (ECOA)