OCIA Slates JAS Courses

LINCOLN - Jun 16/06 - SNS -- The Organic Crop Improvement Association International (OCIA) is offering courses to companies interested in the organic rules and regulations of Japan Agriculture Standards (JAS).

The courses will focus on the production and processing of organic agriculture and foods. JAS organic certification allows for the export of agricultural products into Japan.

Earlier this year, the Japan Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF) announced major revisions to and implementation of the new Japan Agriculture Standards (JAS) law.

The revisions brought about some changes to the process of becoming registered as a Registered Foreign Certification Organization (RFCO), changes in the handling of certification files, requirements for certification, requirements for file reviewers and inspectors, as well as changes in labeling of JAS products. Revisions in the law effect every level of the certification process.

Anyone certifying to the JAS organic program MUST have attended a JAS course on the new law, or be enrolled in a JAS course prior to submitting application for organic certification. Even those certifying to the JAS program who have had a prior JAS course MUST take a refresher course on the new JAS law.

OCIA will also offer several on-site JAS courses throughout the summer. Processors or repackers need to have at least two people attending the training. OCIA staff is conducting JAS courses for staff, inspectors and certified associates in Latin America in June. JAS courses on the new law are being held in Mexico, Guatemala, Nicaragua and Peru.

JAS courses in the US will be held at the following locations and dates:

Thursday June 22

Stratford Ecological Center

3083 Liberty Rd.

Delaware, Ohio

RSVP to: Steve Sears

Tele: 419-853-4060

ssears7547 @ aol.com

Wednesday, June 28

1:00 - 5:30 p.m.

Knights of Columbus Hall

502 Clark Street

Charles City, Iowa

RSVP to: Janet Pratt

Tele: 641-435-2156

janetp @ fiai.net

Tuesday, July 11

9:30 - 12:30 p.m.

JAS Training & Organic Educational Day

1060 Highway 32 South

Thief River Falls, MN 56701

Hotel Telephone number: 218-681-7555

Lodging: $58.65 per night + tax

RSVP for training to: Lorri Ann Hartel

RSVP no later than July 7th

Lorri Ann's Tele: 218-253-4907

lhartel @ prairieagcomm.com

There will also be several JAS courses this summer in Canada. The dates are to be determined. However, the locations are:

- Morrineville, AB, Canada

- Regina, SK, Canada

- Waterloo, QC, Canada

Any one wanting JAS certification from OCIA can download the JAS organic standards from the OCIA web site at www.ocia.org by clicking on the link "Forms & Document" on the homepage. Type the keyword "Standards" to get the documents.