COTA protects, promotes and builds information on Canada's organic sector.
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COTA works in the following areas:
Market Access
COTA’s goal is to grow organic in domestic markets, as well as opportunities for Canada Organic products in export markets. Our priority is to expand organic production in Canada to meet Canada’s burgeoning appetite for organic products, and sell surplus organic production to markets in high demand and emerging markets for organic. COTA is the official organization executing the Canada Brand Strategy for organic, and conducts many export missions and business-to-business opportunities, and industry engagement activities to remove trade barriers and build sales opportunities for our members.
Advocacy
On behalf of our membership, we promote and protect organic production and trade through legislative and regulatory actions. We provide expert analysis of agriculture, food, and trade policy, while helping our members navigate the regulatory environment. COTA builds meaningful relationships with Members of Parliament and their staff, and works closely with government departments on relevant policy.
Data & Research
COTA plays a crucial role as the Chair of the Data Task Force leading on collecting data and research to assess critical organic issues and respond to the sector’s priorities. Reliable data and analysis is critical for guiding business planning, policy-making, and developing long-term domestic and international strategies. COTA continues to lobby the Federal government on the creation of a long-term organic data collection plan for the sector.
Consumer Education
Through national campaigns and an active media presence, COTA educates consumers and engages the media on the core benefits that organics brings to Canadians diets and communities, the environment, animals and wildlife. COTA leads on organizing Organic Week each Fall and year-round coordination of the Choose Canada Organic campaign.