Organics through the eyes of an Organic Inspector Ib Hagsten, - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation
Organics through the eyes of an Organic Inspector Ib Hagsten, Ph.D., CAC Hagsten Enterprises International, Inc. & Chair, International Organic Inspectors Assoc. 1 My journey to todays topic: Worked on crop/livestock farms in five
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years observing & experiencing.
farming” experienced, where we seemingly were in harmony with nature.
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farmers (animal husbandry & feed issues)
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wartime air landing strips
Lower dollar bill - left in field shrank - when anhydrous was applied in the farmer’s field ...
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somatotropin):
she could produce a few more gallons of milk ... especially when the country already had milk excesses and a cheese glut in governmental cold storage.
hormones, it took less than a year for the product to be pulled from the market.
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hormones” in the name of a few extra pounds of meat being produced.
“morning-after pill”), my personal pro-life views brought me further into conflict with the corporate culture that surrounded me.
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genetics” without scrutiny.
appropriate environmental, human health, or residue studies/assessments.
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importantly “fill in the valleys” between major projects.
ten farms & before the end of that year 182 more.
accredited by USDA’s NOP).
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implement organic verification on USDA’s behalf. They handle the paperwork, verification, on-the-ground inspectors. Certifiers have paid staff or independent contract inspectors.
make on-site inspections to verify the requirements set forth by the NOP. In order for products and produce to be classified as “certified organic,” they must meet these national standards.
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Look at the label…
[ 100% organic / Organic (>95%) / Made with (> 70%) ]
[ seed /farm / handler / processor / retailer ]
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accept my reports, I have now completed more than 1,700 organic inspections.
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cultural, biological, and mechanical practices that foster cycling of resources, promote ecological balance, and conserve biodiversity (NOP – USDA’s National Organic Program)
and appreciated …
farming operation, including soil and water quality
features of a production operation, including soil, water, wetlands, woodlands and wildlife.
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Production systems inspected include …
…to zucchini in Lancaster PA.
mushrooms; medicinal plants; pecans; chestnuts; spices; sprouts ; sugar cane; tobacco; vineyards; and wild crops.
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Product handling systems inspected include …
food distributors)
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distribution centers, and at the corporate headquarters in TX.
corporate headquarter in San Antonio.
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Processing systems inspected include:
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Why are there organic inspections and inspectors?
entire process and every individual step across the spectrum from “seed to farm to handler to processor to retail shelf or export.”
approved by an accredited certifying agent (ACA) for the National Organic Program (NOP) of the USDA, is in place and verifiably maintained.
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At each step, an independent inspector audits all parts of the operation,
activity logs.
are reconciled to assure that the organic integrity is maintained not only at that location, but with the entire production chain
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evidence of chemical drift.
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are detailed, have ample buffers, and protection/segregation from conventional contamination, as well as possible run-on.
inputs were used, with their respective current organic certificates.
compliance with the NOP rule.
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grown (particular emphasis of farms with parallel production of same
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report, which specifically contains information on organic livestock/poultry; eligibility for breeding or slaughter.
ID, breed, age, medical and homeopathic treatments, birth records/animal origin, physical alterations, reproductions.
pasture.
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