Organic Agriculture and Processing Standards in the Philippines

Organic Agriculture and Processing OCCP

The organic sector (farmers, processors, traders and consumers) in the Philippines needs agreement with OCCP standards. For an initial document, the Philippines can draw from the wealth of knowledge and experiences of IFOAM’s 25-year history. In doing so, the OCCP Standards (like other Asian standards) are drawn from the IFOAM Basic Standards.

The first draft of the OCCP standards was prepared by the Standards committee of FOODWEB, a broad coalition of NGO’s, church-based groups, academe and the private sector, who are involved in organic agriculture and processing. The core group of the committee was formed during the first national workshop of FOODWEB in March 1997. The standards committee late enlarged its membership as more help came in from the private sector in regional consultation workshops held in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao wherein necessary modifications were made. The revised draft was presented to a national workshop for further improvement and eventual occurrence by FOODWEB constituents and participating members of the organic sector.

The OCCP Standards primarily serves the welfare of local producers, processors, traders and consumers; it also seeks to conform to requirements of the international market.