Organic Sector Encourages Provinces to Adopt National Organic Rules

OTTAWA, July 15, 2014 /CNW/ - The Canada Organic Trade Association is congratulating the Province of New Brunswick on new organic regulations announced in June. The new rules ensure products sold as organic in the province meet strict national standards. New Brunswick joins Quebec and Manitoba as the only provinces that have adopted Canada's national organic regime.

The Government of Canada put in place national organic regulations in 2009, mandatory for all imported products or those crossing provincial lines. Certification and annual inspection to the national organic standards are overseen and enforced by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA).

With Canada's federal, provincial, and territorial ministers of agriculture holding their annual meeting in Winnipeg this week, Canada's organic sector is calling on the provinces to start a national conversation to ensure organic rules in Canada are seamless.

"We are excited to see New Brunswick join Manitoba and Quebec as leaders in Canadian organics," said Matthew Holmes, Executive Director of the Canada Organic Trade Association. "By adopting Canada's national rules, the provinces can create a level playing field and improve internal trade in Canada. We hope to see more provinces implement Canada's internationally respected system."  

Organics is the fastest growing market in Canadian agriculture, tripling in size through the global recession and worth over $3.5 billion annually. On average, Canada's 3,700 organic farms see higher farm incomes, while burgeoning consumer demand suggests Canadian organics will see continued growth for years to come.

The Canada Organic Trade Association is the membership-based association for the organic sector in Canada, representing growers, shippers, processors, certifiers, farmers' associations, distributors, importers, exporters, consultants, retailers and others in the organic value chain. COTA's mission is to promote and protect the growth of organic trade to benefit the environment, farmers, the public and the economy.

SOURCE: Canada Organic Trade Association

Matthew Holmes, Executive Director, Canada Organic Trade Association, [phone], [email protected]