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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
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