The Canadian Food Inspection Agency and the Canada Organic Office have announced that the Canadian General Standards Board (CGSB) Organic Standards are now available on the CGSB website free of charge.
Access a digital copy of the standards at:
www.tpsgc-pwgsc.gc.ca/cgsb/on_the_net/organic/index-e.html
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Sunday, February 7, 2010
UN policy brief on sustainable use of NTFPs
A new policy brief discusses laws and policies relevant to sustainable and equitable NTFP use. The policy brief is a collaboration between the United Nations University - Institute of Advanced Studies (via the Traditional Knowledge Initiative), Centre for International Forestry Research, People and Plants International, Environmental Evaluation Unit, University of Cape Town and the Insitute for Culture and Ecology. It draws from the book Wild Product Governance: finding policies that work for non-timber forest products to be published by Earthscan in 2010 as part of the “People and Plants” series.
People have long developed and depended upon useful species from diverse ecosystems. Even today, botanical NTFPs provide critical subsistence and trade goods for forest and other communities. In many areas, NTFPs are the main source of cash to pay school fees, buy medicines, purchase equipment and supplies, and even buy food. However, NTFPs have been both overlooked and poorly regulated by governments. Laws tend to be inconsistent and confusing, with little resembling a policy ’framework’ or strategy. Many are opportunistic or drafted in response to perceived threats, and rarely do regulations follow from consultations with stakeholders or careful analysis of the complex factors involved in the sustainability and equity of NTFP management, use and trade.
Despite wide variations in cultural, economic and political conditions, experiences with NTFP law and policy are remarkably similar around the world, and are characterized by common regulatory features. This finding applies to both developed and developing countries, and includes regions that still have strong traditional and subsistence use of NTFPs and those that may have reduced their dependence on NTFPs, but have recently ‘rediscovered’ natural products.
Case studies which contributed to this project include those from Bolivia, Brazil, Cameroon, Canada, China, Fiji, Finland, India, Mexico, the Philippines, southern Africa, the United Kingdom and the United States. Important lessons for policy makers, NGOs, community groups, and others working with NTFPs include the need for better information, simplification, clarity, and consistency in NTFP policy frameworks.
People have long developed and depended upon useful species from diverse ecosystems. Even today, botanical NTFPs provide critical subsistence and trade goods for forest and other communities. In many areas, NTFPs are the main source of cash to pay school fees, buy medicines, purchase equipment and supplies, and even buy food. However, NTFPs have been both overlooked and poorly regulated by governments. Laws tend to be inconsistent and confusing, with little resembling a policy ’framework’ or strategy. Many are opportunistic or drafted in response to perceived threats, and rarely do regulations follow from consultations with stakeholders or careful analysis of the complex factors involved in the sustainability and equity of NTFP management, use and trade.
Despite wide variations in cultural, economic and political conditions, experiences with NTFP law and policy are remarkably similar around the world, and are characterized by common regulatory features. This finding applies to both developed and developing countries, and includes regions that still have strong traditional and subsistence use of NTFPs and those that may have reduced their dependence on NTFPs, but have recently ‘rediscovered’ natural products.
Case studies which contributed to this project include those from Bolivia, Brazil, Cameroon, Canada, China, Fiji, Finland, India, Mexico, the Philippines, southern Africa, the United Kingdom and the United States. Important lessons for policy makers, NGOs, community groups, and others working with NTFPs include the need for better information, simplification, clarity, and consistency in NTFP policy frameworks.
Friday, February 5, 2010
Pruning Workshop - Feb 12
Pruning Plants—The Basics for New Employees’
February 12, 2010 9:00am—4:00pm
Ramada Hotel & Conference Center
2170 Harvery Ave. Kelowna, BC (Across from Orchard Park Shopping Center)
Instructor: Mario Lanthier
Make sure your employees know how to make that pruning cut. This day-long workshop will review important concepts such as good tree structure, what to cut and where to cut, as well as pruning tools and their maintenance. The participants will realize the importance of pruning as a service by your company and its importance to maintain healthy plants. They will not be master pruners, but they will know "good pruning" from "bad pruning" and will be able to answer simple questions from your customers.
Registration Deadline Monday February 8th, 2010 Refreshments available. Lunch not provided.
Free for those who are eligible. Must be employed within the industry with no formal Horticulture education or a degree of any kind. One time intake forms to be filled out. Visit www.bclna.com/horticulturebasics.htm for eligibility, program & contact information.
February 12, 2010 9:00am—4:00pm
Ramada Hotel & Conference Center
2170 Harvery Ave. Kelowna, BC (Across from Orchard Park Shopping Center)
Instructor: Mario Lanthier
Make sure your employees know how to make that pruning cut. This day-long workshop will review important concepts such as good tree structure, what to cut and where to cut, as well as pruning tools and their maintenance. The participants will realize the importance of pruning as a service by your company and its importance to maintain healthy plants. They will not be master pruners, but they will know "good pruning" from "bad pruning" and will be able to answer simple questions from your customers.
Registration Deadline Monday February 8th, 2010 Refreshments available. Lunch not provided.
Free for those who are eligible. Must be employed within the industry with no formal Horticulture education or a degree of any kind. One time intake forms to be filled out. Visit www.bclna.com/horticulturebasics.htm for eligibility, program & contact information.
Thursday, February 4, 2010
Pacific Northwest Direct Farm Marketing Tour, March 11-13
Pacific Northwest Direct Farm Marketing Association’s meeting and tour
Victoria, British Columbia
March 11-13, 2010
Touring thirteen diverse Canadian gardens, farm stores and agri-tourism locations, which span wheat fields to limestone quarries, daffodils to roses, dairy products to kosher honey, and all charging ahead with their unique brands of creative marketing and business savvy. Along with all the new ideas and springs of inspiration you will find in these very special Victoria farms, there will also be plenty of time to enjoy the local attractions in this tourist friendly corner of the world.
For more information visit the Pacific Northwest Direct Farm Marketing Association's website
Victoria, British Columbia
March 11-13, 2010
Touring thirteen diverse Canadian gardens, farm stores and agri-tourism locations, which span wheat fields to limestone quarries, daffodils to roses, dairy products to kosher honey, and all charging ahead with their unique brands of creative marketing and business savvy. Along with all the new ideas and springs of inspiration you will find in these very special Victoria farms, there will also be plenty of time to enjoy the local attractions in this tourist friendly corner of the world.
For more information visit the Pacific Northwest Direct Farm Marketing Association's website
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Value-Chain Training, March 4, 5
Learning Modules from the Canadian Value Chain Network
Module 5: Understanding Category Management
This module will guide participants through developing a fresh food marketing plan to present to retailers.
Participants will learn:
* Category review techniques including product overview and store level analysis
* Category evolution and objectives
* Benchmarking and monitoring performance
* Product packaging, marketing and promotion planning
* Price and margin management
March 4th 2010
Time: 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Video Conference Sites: Abbotsford, Nanaimo, Kamloops and Prince George
Registration Fee: $50.00 + GST
Module 6: Product Development-Are you ready?
This module is designed to ensure that people with new ideas and those currently developing or repositioning products or services know the steps to market readiness.
Participants will:
* Evaluate their current position in the overall product development process
* Review product development requirements and market ready checklists
* Understand typical trade requirements of brokers, distributors, retailers and food service suppliers
* Learn success techniques and how to avoid failure in trade relationships
* Learn how to get products on and off the retail shelf
* Review case studies of merchandising strategies, principles and practices
* Learn survival tactics for the fast-moving world of consumer goods
March 5th 2010
Time: 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Video Conference Sites: Abbotsford, Nanaimo, Kamloops and Prince George
Registration Fee: $50.00 + GST
Registration available on-line here for March 4th.
Registration available on-line here for March 5th
For more information contact Bill Henderson 250 356-1675 or bhenderson@iafbc.ca
Module 5: Understanding Category Management
This module will guide participants through developing a fresh food marketing plan to present to retailers.
Participants will learn:
* Category review techniques including product overview and store level analysis
* Category evolution and objectives
* Benchmarking and monitoring performance
* Product packaging, marketing and promotion planning
* Price and margin management
March 4th 2010
Time: 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Video Conference Sites: Abbotsford, Nanaimo, Kamloops and Prince George
Registration Fee: $50.00 + GST
Module 6: Product Development-Are you ready?
This module is designed to ensure that people with new ideas and those currently developing or repositioning products or services know the steps to market readiness.
Participants will:
* Evaluate their current position in the overall product development process
* Review product development requirements and market ready checklists
* Understand typical trade requirements of brokers, distributors, retailers and food service suppliers
* Learn success techniques and how to avoid failure in trade relationships
* Learn how to get products on and off the retail shelf
* Review case studies of merchandising strategies, principles and practices
* Learn survival tactics for the fast-moving world of consumer goods
March 5th 2010
Time: 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Video Conference Sites: Abbotsford, Nanaimo, Kamloops and Prince George
Registration Fee: $50.00 + GST
Registration available on-line here for March 4th.
Registration available on-line here for March 5th
For more information contact Bill Henderson 250 356-1675 or bhenderson@iafbc.ca
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