4.6 Collection from the Wild

4.6.1 The collection of edible plants and parts thereof, growing naturally in natural areas, forests and agricultural areas, is considered an organic production method provided that:

- The products are from a clearly defined collection area that is subject to the inspection/certification measures set out in Section 7 of this Standard.

- Those areas have received no treatments with products other than those referred to in Section 10 for a period of three years before the collection.

- The collection does not disturb the stability of the whole ecosystem, natural habitat, the maintenance of the species in the collection area, or threaten the existence of plant, fungal or animal species, including those not directly exploited

- The products are from an operator managing the harvesting or gathering of the products, who is clearly identified and familiar with the collection area.

- The collection area shall be at an appropriate distance from conventional farming, pollution and contamination.

- Operators shall take measures to ensure that wild, sedentary aquatic species are collected only from areas where the water is not contaminated by substances prohibited in these standards.