For immediate release
Organic sector calls for national policy framework for growth
OTTAWA, Ontario (November 29, 2023) – Organic leaders from across the country converged in Ottawa last week calling on the federal government to develop a policy framework to accelerate the growth of organic in Canada. The organic market in Canada is valued at over 10 billion dollars, ranking as the fifth largest in the world. Canada is also the only major agricultural nation that lacks a policy framework for developing organic farming or markets to reap the benefits of organic production.
The annual Organic Summit and Parliament Day are the Canada Organic Trade Association’s (COTA) flagship event that brings together national and regional organic organizations, members, sector leaders and policy makers to be inspired through world-class speakers and feel empowered to take meaningful steps towards growth and development of the sector. Attendees at this year’s hybrid event heard about the historic investments made in Europe and the United States into organics that have contributed to their strong organic markets as well as research from the Rodale Institute on the resilience and efficiency of organic systems.
The Organic Parliamentary Reception on November 20 welcomed 100 Parliamentarians, staff and organic industry members. The Parliament Day on November 21 provided an opportunity for the priorities of the sector to be brought directly to Members of Parliament (MP) and Senators, with organic leaders participating in 16 meetings throughout the day with MPs.
“It is a pivotal time for Canada to recognize the organic sector as the government strives to meet its economic, environmental and social sustainability, and climate goals. These benefits are not lost on consumers. More than half of consumers seek organically produced food when shopping or dining out,” says Tia Loftsgard, executive director of the Canada Organic Trade Association.
But government needs to act. “A policy directive and framework are crucial to recognize the benefits of organic and unlock support for our sector-led Organic Action Plan for innovation and growth. This is about offering alternate production pathways for farmers and consumers. This is key to remain competitive with trading partners who are making significant policy and budgetary commitments to organic,” says Loftsgard.
The organic sector has been developing an Organic Action Plan (OAP) and is united in its request for a policy mechanism to support implementation of the plan. It is based on four (4) pillars to develop all segments of the organic value chain. The 4 pillars address:
- Framework and Infrastructure Growth
- Accelerate Growth and Innovation in Organic Production
- Stimulate Organic Market Development
- Advance Research with Impact
The OAP is a comprehensive multi-year plan. More immediately, however, the government can acknowledge the overall contribution of the sector to sustainable agriculture by incorporating the Production Pillar of the Plan in the Sustainable Agriculture Strategy which is currently being drafted. Organic’s track record of farm profitability, attracting youth and women into rural livelihoods, and positive environmental contributions highlights the need to step up and embed policy solutions to continue to grow in Canada.
We would like to thank all the participants and sponsors who made this two-day event a success.
Media Contact:
Tia Loftsgard, Executive Director, COTA
tloftsgard@canada-organic.ca or 613-482-1717 ext. 200
About the Canada Organic Trade Association
The Canada Organic Trade Association (COTA) is the membership-based association for the organic industry in Canada representing the full value chain of all organic actors: growers, fishers, certifiers, processors, handlers, provincial organic associations, importers, exporters, manufacturers, distributors, retailers and more. COTA’s mission is to promote and protect the organic sector and encourage the universal adoption of organic.
Learn more about COTA at https://www.canada-organic.ca
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