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Dec. 21 brief news: new certified organic food requirement in B.C.

New rules for certified organic food, B.C. budget consultation seeks public input

New rules: certified organic food

For food products sold in B.C., new regulations are enacted, with transition time until September 2018, to allow for terms, such as organic, to be used only if and when specific certification standards have been met, so any marketing of products with those terms accurately reflects those standards.

As a result of the B.C. government regulating the term “organic”, after September 2018, if an agrifood product is being marketed as organic in British Columbia, it will have to be from a producer who has successfully been accredited through a federal or provincial certification program.

After September 2018, uncertified producers marketing food as “organic” will face the possibility of penalties, including a $350 fine.

 

B.C. budget consultation

Finance Minister Michael de Jong is inviting British Columbians to participate in a conversation to share their values and priorities for Balanced Budget 2017

Participants can share their ideas for the budget and three-year fiscal plan, and ask the minister questions through the Budget Consultation website and during telephone town halls that will run until the end of January, at http://engage.gov.bc.ca/budget2017/

Here, British Columbians can: participate in open dialogue forums on housing affordability, government priorities and economic growth including the BC Jobs Plan; submit questions or comments to the minister; and sign up for telephone town halls scheduled throughout January.