Volume 1 - Issue 4
July/Aug 2008
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Certified
Canadian
the new organic regulation

Attention Canadians! By December 2008, products displaying the new Biologique Canada Organic label is your assurance that these products are "certified to Canadian Organic Production Standards."

What Does This Mean to You? To date, and with the substantial growth of the organic sector in Canada, there has been loads of confusion as to what really is "organic", and whether what is stated on the label of certain Canadian products is trustworthy. Imported products, such as from the US, have long since had organic production standards and regulations. As consumers, we are assured that products displaying the USDA seal, for instance, are in fact "Certified Organic". And although some areas in Canada such as PEI and BC have privatized certification in place, the Federal Government has long been recognizing that a "national standard" was vital in order to protect Canadian consumers and support further growth of our industry. So now as of December 2008, organic certification is a legal requirement for

companies wanting to sell products labelled as organic.

What Does This Mean to the Industry? Basically, it means that once the regulation has been enacted, Canadian organic producers will have to meet mandatory national standards within their production methods. On the labelling of their products, and now to their advantage, producers have the option to display the "Biologique Canada Organic" label.

With this in place, the Canadian organic industry will create more consumer confidence in the quality and safety of local products. This confidence is sure to have many positive effects on the industry as a whole because more Canadians consumers will choose to support and consume Canadian products, thus expanding the growth of our local organic industry.

The new regulation will also govern imports to Canada and as for exports, markets such as Europe, the US and Japan will also have assurance of the validity of our Canadian organic products. According to Janine Gibson, president of the Canadian Organic Growers, "The organic regulation will help put Canadian agriculture on the path towards sustainability." Fantastic news our communities, our country and our environment. Support Canadian Organic!
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Costa Rica is a hidden gem in Central America that is, for better or worse, becoming a tourist hotspot. This growing popularity is not only for the hot climates, relaxing beaches, amazing surfing and friendly locals, but more recently because of their world-renowned eco-tourism and environmental protection. Labelled "one of the most biologically intense places on earth" by National Geographic, the incredibly diverse flora and fauna is bringing ecologically-minded people to this country in droves.

Costa Rica is located on the north border of Panama, and the south border of Nicaragua. It forms part of the bridge between North and South America. It has a smaller coast on the Caribbean side, which boasts remote ecological sites and lodges, and a long pacific coast known for outstanding surfing, deep sea fishing and scuba diving.

To be a Costa Rican, or "Tico" as the natives call themselves, is more of a cultural proudness than an ancestral history. Much like Canada, its ancestral makeup comes from ancient native peoples, the Aztec and Mayans in this case, and more recently the Spanish and European arrival after Columbus landed in 1502. After the European arrival, the minorities who arrived as slaves, such as African and Caribbean influence, have rooted itself in this country and many festivals are dedicated to these cultures. This mix of cultures all meld together and contribute to the Costa Rica it is today.

There are many archaeological sites which are still being excavated due to their deep jungle locations, but one mysterious piece of ancient history has become a Costa Rican symbol. The "Bola" is a perfectly spherical stone, ranging in size from a fist to five or six feet in diameter. They are found scattered in certain areas of the country and it is not known if they are there for ceremonial purposes or are markers for ancient ruins. It is also a mystery as to how these perfect spheres were created out of such stones, whether they were painstakingly carved or a natural byproduct of volcanic and waterfall activity.

Costa Rica's political climate is relatively calm and inviting since the disbanding of their army in 1948. The government has turned it’s focus now on education, health care and technology. These efforts have resulted in Costa Rica being the most advanced country in Central America. This is a big draw for people looking to retire in a tropical country, but still have confidence in the medical system, political climate and retain the technological level they have at home. Costa Rica is embracing sustainable energy sources such as solar and hydro-electric to stay as a leader in eco-living.

Developments such as the new sustainable treehouse community, Finca Bellavista are backed by the government and are being used as an example to developers that eco-living does not mean ripping out mountainsides of rainforest. Mountain top lots can be sold as ocean-view, as is happening in some coastal towns on the Pacific side.

Even though Costa Rica is a relatively small country, with over 800 different species of birds, butterflies and more than 10,000 varieties of vegetation, this small area contains 5 percent of the planets biodiversity.

There are many different zones that have individual climates, resulting in such a rich diversity of life. The Southern Zone of the Costa Rica is comprised of lowland rainforest, much of it protected by National Parks and Eco-Parks. A Mountainous Zone is often comprised of many elevations so "Cloud Forests" are supporting an eco-system of their own. The Northern Zone is home to a vanishing "Dry Tropical Forest" and both coasts offer such wonders as turtle and whale breeding grounds. The country is also volcanically active and this supports its own biodiversity of life forms.

Costa Rica is a country most deserved to explore and enjoy, for it's people, lifestyle, plants and animals, beaches, mountains, volcanos, waterfalls, and most of all, to follow it’s direction in living WITH the planet, not ON it.

Written, experienced and photographed by Debbie Patterson, proud new owner of Costa Rica property at Finca Bellavista.
 

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