What does 'biologique' mean?

Organic products have many benefits, particularly for the environment and potential health prevention, in addition to offering reliable guarantees since they are verifiable from the ground to the table. However, it can be difficult to pin down what the term “organic” actually means, so here's a quick guide to sorting it out.

“Organic” certification means that any product declared as such must comply with the specifications for organic designation in Quebec as well as Canadian organic production standards. To be able to carry this label, producers must, however, bear, in addition to the investments directly linked to production, significant administrative costs.

These standards govern food production and processing practices as well as the list of substances permitted in this mode of production. They are based on environmental protection and have been grouped under four main principles: health, ecology, equity and precaution.

To produce certified organic meat or poultry, respect for animals is a priority. This is why breeding standards take into account all the conditions necessary for their well-being:

• provide sufficient space in buildings for their comfort and so that they can express their natural behaviors;
• provide access to the outdoors and natural light in buildings;
• feed them with 100% organic grains and fodder.

In addition, in organic farming:

• animals receive preventive care in the form of homeopathic and other natural treatments instead of antibiotics;
• breeding periods are longer, since the animals do not receive growth stimulators.

On an organic livestock farm, direct contact with the animal is important and necessary. It is necessary to develop a sense of observation in the field and a good knowledge of animal behavior to succeed in this type of breeding.

In Quebec, organic certification is granted to a company following verifications carried out by an independent organization which has obtained assurance that the company has rigorously applied the necessary requirements.

That being said, just because a farm does not have the official “organic” label does not mean that it does not meet the criteria set out above. Several small producers, including some with whom we collaborate , choose not to carry this certification, preferring to invest the costs it requires directly in their breeding.