Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

thanks Janet and Rupert
I have found out that European rules for organic aquaculture are still in the make
I heard there is a possibility to make suggestions for what we call in dutch a "lastenboek", in french "cahier de charges", I can't find the right english word.
should be something like "charges book" or "rules description"
can you help me here?
it would do us all a lot of good to have aquaponics registered as organic wouldn't it?
so let's gather forces and go on the search for any company that has certification either on aquaculture or on hydroponics
a "charges book" based on their experience would both be a guarantee for ecological sustainability as it would make economic faisibility more reality than dream
I hear there are no certified aquaculture farms in Belgium
there seem to be two certified hydroponic farms
I am looking in on them and will try to visit.
so some combination must be possible
Personally, I think the initiative should be worldwide
anybody who is willing to contribute to this project can mail me a personal message
greetings

frank

Nice vision, Frank, but I think it will have to be country by country.

In the USA, I think it would be an appeal to The National Organic Program through the USDA. See here: http://www.ams.usda.gov/NOP/NOP/NOPhome.html

But honestly, I don't have the energy to put into challenging the government right now.

Frank,
I am certainly interested in what you are saying.. can you think of any tools you might need to do this.. i would be willing to host a website pertaining to this.. I most likely wouldn't have the time to design and maintain it but i would certainly be able to help with either one

Add me to that list will help when and where I can. Just need to know the direction and objective we want.

Here is some good background reading to get us up-to-date
http://www.nal.usda.gov/afsic/AFSIC_pubs/afnotes5.htm

Would be willing to help as well. Could build a simple site for you, and I can translate from Dutch to English and back if needed. Could do some research too, but you'll have to guide me..

Hi Frank,
No offense taken. I just don't believe that there is a global organization in charge of organic certification or food quality. In fact, I am sure that there is not. Given that, although an effort may be taken on a global basis (and I applaud anyone with the energy to undertake it), I think that the effort will need to be tailored to each country.

I guess my quote doesn't translate or cross cultures equally. What it means is that people who are obedient will always follow the rules. People who are wise may follow the rules, or may decide not too, still knowing that the rules are there. I believe that all BYAPers are Wise, and certainly NOT Obedient.

I'm more of a local activist, and so still don't have the energy to help you on this one. (Sorry, I do think the cause is a noble and worthy one.) I am working very hard to create an Ecovillage here in southeast Pennsylvania, where a group of families would live and garden with sensitivity to the environment. Small passive solar homes, organic gardens, maybe Community Supported Agriculture, restoration of the local watershed, reforestation, etc etc etc. Oh, and of course a neighborhood-sized AP system in the community greenhouse. Now if only we could find the right piece of land--although we think we spotted a parcel just north of here that could work. :fingerscrossed:

Yes, I tend to agree with the fact that organic certification bodies are not global, so really you just bneed to find one target it to get certification, then once it has taken that step, others should be easier...

I am not sure if any of you have read the link i posted.. Right now they are analyzing the International Organic guidelines to try and adopt some if not all to the US. In florida a private group has come up with its own label and guidelines and are certifying some florida AP systems.. This could be an alternative route to take..

Hi Teknix,
can you find out more about this Florida initiative?
Frank

Dont england and australia have their own respective set of rules and certification bodies?

Europe is striving towards common rules
it is in our common intrest to try and reach worldwide compatibility
frank

oh, i agree, but what is a good idea and what is a reality are often in stark contrast

I have no doubt the EU will pull it off, the rest of the world? i won't hold my breath! we cant even agree on thread forms, temperature scales and weight/measurements LOL

One of the biggest problems we have with the organic cerification process here in the US are the length of time you have been using organic methods. (This is particularly crucial for growers producing by conventional soil bed methods.) In many instances the time standard will not be applicable to an AP system. The primary reasoning behind a minimum length of time between the start of organic methods and certification is a desire to leach the soils of any materials which are not organic. The other reason is to prove that the grower has shown a committment and the skill to produce organic products.

Then another big problem is much like what is happening with the EEU. The US federal government requirements are set at one level, which is geared towards commercial growers who are shipping products across state lines, while each of the 50 states can set levels at whatever level they desire for products sold only within thier state. The same situation also occurs with food safety and production standards. (Years ago the state of Missouri had a state meat inspection program. If you owned a meat processing facility you could opt for state only inspection, which gave you much more lax regulations, or you could opt for federal inspection which has much tougher standards, and will allow you to ship your products anywhere in the US, and to countries accepting our federal inspection program and standards.) From what I understand the EEU is experiencing much the same problem, in that what one member nation finds desirable might not be what the EEU feels it should be. So, some nations are opting to allow producers to choose to either produce products in accordance with thier national standards or to the EEU standards. Hopefully whatever standards are set are much more universally accepted than what other legislation has had.

Kevin

of course a lot of rules only serve local market protection
this is or should not be the case with organic produce
real organic produce should not be meant for export (unless you really live near some border), but for local consumption.
The shorter the transport lines, the more the ultimate spirit of organic is met.
I am collecting rules (or links to rules) for organic certification for from all countries
all help is wellcome
Frank