This summer, the Organic Crop Improvement Association International (OCIA), a worldwide leader in the organic certification industry, is planning on offering several courses on the organic rules and regulations of Japan Agriculture Standards, otherwise known as JAS law.

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.

This summer, the Organic Crop Improvement Association International (OCIA), a worldwide leader in the organic certification industry, is planning on offering several courses on the organic rules and regulations of Japan Agriculture Standards, otherwise known as JAS law. 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. These changes have a profound effect on how organic certifiers handle JAS certification in the future. 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

Additional JAS courses will be made available this summer. OCIA will be providing updates on its web site at www.ocia.org.

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.

The Organic Crop Improvement Association International, Inc (OCIA) world headquarters is located at 6400 Cornhusker Hwy, Suite 125, Lincoln, NE 68507. They can be found on the worldwide Web at http://www.ocia.org. OCIA has regional and/or chapter offices in the US, Canada, Mexico, Japan, Costa Rica, Nicaragua and Spain. OCIA will celebrate it 20th anniversary of incorporation in 2008.

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