DA-BAFS apprises stakeholders on OA updates

To keep organic practitioners and other relevant stakeholders posted on the adoption of organic agriculture (OA), the Bureau of Agriculture and Fisheries Standards of the Department of Agriculture staged a three-day Awareness Seminar on the Revised Department Circulars, New Guidelines and Philippine National Standards (PNS) relative to OA, here in the city of Cagayan de Oro.

Participated by more than 50 delegates from DA regional field offices, local government units, private sector and the academe from regions 9, 10, 11 and 13, the activity was primarily done to further the implementation of RA 10068 or otherwise known as the Organic Agriculture Act of 2010.

Kicking off the series of lectures was Dr. Rodel G. Maghirang’s discussion on the PNS for OA. Other matters lined-up include the Revised Guidelines for the Official Accreditation of Organic Certifying Bodies; Rules and Procedures for both BAFS Registration of Organic Farmers and Organic Input Producers, and Registration of Primary and Postharvest Organic Food and Non-food Products; Transition Period for the Registration of Establishments of Primary and Postharvest Food and Non-Food Products; and Food Systems for Healthy and Sustainable Diets. #