Canada-EU Equivalency Agreement: In its ongoing efforts to establish an equivalency agreement with the EU, the Canada Organic Office will host four EU auditors from 6-12 May. The auditors will meet with the COO, several accredited Conformity Verification Bodies and Certification Bodies, and a number of certified organic operators.

Canada-US Equivalency Agreement: Discussion regarding the Canada-US Equivalency Agreement will resume in the near future. The COO plans to meet with new NOP Deputy Administrator, Miles McEvoy, in May.

CFIA Director: An interim Director is replacing Dr. Jaspinder Komal. James Crawford will fill the position for a six-month period.

Conference Call Meeting: A May 17^th COO meeting would be confirmed as soon as possible.

Standards Interpretation Committee: Draft answers to stakeholder questions have been posted on the OFC website. Q & As are located under the Standards Interpretation tab, under their respective sections: Crops, Livestock and Permitted Substances List. Please note that the 60-day comment period will be launched when the Q & As are posted on the COO website.

The OFC Blog (http://ofcfbc.wordpress.com) has allowed stakeholders to voice their opinion on the issues of parallel production and livestock rations in the finishing phase. Members of the CGSB Committee on Organic Agriculture are invited to read comments posted on the blog.

Amendments to Canada Organic Standards ... There is still time to download a copy of the draft Proposed Amendments to the National Standard of Canada for Organic Agriculture (CAN/CGSB 32.310 & CAN/CGSB 32.311) and to submit comments on the CGSB Comment Forms. Closing date: May 23rd 2010.