February / March 2008 industry meetings: Stephanie Wells is attending and presenting at the Certified Organic Associations of British Columbia (COABC) conference and AGM, February 29-March 2, in Sidney, BC; and at the Going Organic Alberta conference and trade show, March 4-5, in Camrose, AB. Matthew Holmes is presenting at the Organic Value Chain Roundtable, March 5-6, and attending the Atlantic Canadian Organic Regional Network (ACORN) conference and trade show, March 6-8, both in Memramcook, NB.
February 21-24, 2008: Matthew Holmes attended BioFach with the support of the Government of Canada's Canadian Agriculture and Food International Program. Holmes was there to promote the Canadian organic sector, liaise with Canadian companies and gather ideas toward a coordinated export branding and marketing strategy for Canadian organic products.
February 8, 2008: At the annual Guelph Organic Conference industry meeting, Matthew Holmes reported on work by OTA in Canada to develop a Good Organic Retailing Guide for Canadian retailers. The manual will complement Canada’s regulatory and standards requirements. Having a guide on retail best practices was identified as a high-priority sector need at both the Organic Value Chain Roundtable and the Committee on Organic Agriculture, which determines Canada’s organic standards. OTA in Canada will be leading this Roundtable project with assistance from other members of the organic community, as well as the Canadian Council of Grocery Distributors, the Canadian Federation of Independent Grocers and the Canadian Health Food Association.
January 26-27, 2008: The 27th Guelph Organic Conference was held the last weekend of January, and OTA’s annual Guelph reception was a huge success. To the backdrop of a live jazz band in a beautiful country-club setting, OTA members, industry associates and government officials took the opportunity to take a break from a busy conference. All enjoyed the fabulous spread of organic food and beverages donated by our members in the U.S. and Canada. OTA in Canada would like to thank our members for the support and for their incredible products which make this annual event worth braving Guelph in January for.
January 8, 2008: Quality Management Systems (QMS) Manual released. The QMS describes the administration and enforcement of the Canadian Organic Regime. See our Canadian regulations and standards page for more information and copies of the document.
December 14, 2007: One year deadline to Canada’s regulation
Canada's Organic Products Regulations (OPR) are scheduled to be fully implemented on December 14, 2008. The regulations will make the Canadian organic standards and permitted substances list mandatory for all organic food and livestock feed products sold in Canada, regardless of organic status under other regulatory programs. These products will be able to opt in to displaying the “Biologique Canada Organic” seal. OTA staff have met with both US and Canadian governments to encourage a discussion on a possible equivalency agreement between the two programs. OTA is also supportive of discussions underway between Canada and the EU. See our Canadian regulations and standards page for more information.
December 3, 2007: OTA applauds the federal government’s investment of nearly $1.3 million in the Canadian organic sector. Read the press release.
November 22, 2007: OTA in Canada was interviewed for the National Post’s “Special Green Report.” OTA’s Matthew Holmes told the Post: “There is great, great potential for Canadian companies… the demand right now for organics globally is astronomical. We can’t even meet the U.S. demand, never mind Europe or Japan.” Read the article.
November 21, 2007: The Canadian General Standards Board (CGSB) has concluded a successful three-day meeting of the technical committee on organic agriculture, the industry-led group that directs and decides on Canada’s organic standards and permitted substances list. Thanks to the many OTA members active on the committee and various working groups and task groups. Visit our regulations and standards page for more information.
October 19, 2007: OTA opens Western Canada office. Stephanie Wells has arrived in British Columbia where she has established a new office. Stephanie will continue to work on regulatory matters, and to expand OTA's local member services in the Western Canada region. Members can now reach her at 250-335-3423 or swells@ota.com.
October 18, 2007: Matthew Holmes of OTA has been asked to sit as a voting member on the Organic Value Chain Roundtable (OVCRT). Convened by Agriculture Canada, the OVCRT is an industry representative body advising the government on sector-wide issues. Holmes presented at the Montreal meeting on the need for a crisis management and response plan for the organic sector in Canada. He was also made industry-lead on a study being conducted into regulatory, trade and marketing barriers for Canadian organic products.
October 2, 2007: The second annual All Things Organic™ pavilion at Toronto's Ethnic & Specialty Food Expo was a great success. Three times the size of last year, OTA's pavilion now takes up approximately one third of the show. Many Canadian and US members, as well as some newcomers, joined us to present their great product lines and services to high-quality buyers and media. Consider next year's All Things Organic™ pavilion.
September 18, 2007: Maclean's Magazine has printed OTA's joint response with the Canadian Organic Growers and the Organic Federation of Canada to their article on organic product integrity. Read the letter to the editor.
September 5, 2007: OTA has called on Health Canada and Industry Canada to recognize the growing consumer demand for non-food organic products and the need to protect and promote these important, growing sectors. Read the press release.
August 10, 2007: The results of the election for Canada’s Advisory Committee are in: the newly elected members are Nancy Ciancibello of Plen Organics (second term), Ellen Karp of Anerca International Inc., and Dwayne Smith of Grainworks Inc. Congratulations to the successful candidates and thanks to all of those who participated in the election.
July 10, 2007: The OTA has learned that the Canadian Wheat Board (CWB) is implementing a major policy change on organic wheat sales that will lower marketing costs for organic growers. A new program, the Organic Fixed Spread Contract (OFSC), is expected to lower fees to about $0.05 to $0.15 per bushel, compared to pricing in the previous system that could reach over $1.00 per bushel. CWB will also increase resources for organic marketing, with additional staff and development of a cash-buying program. See the OTA press release here.
June 29, 2007: Update on Canada's Organic Products Regulations and Quality Management System (QMS) Manual. The Canada Organic Office (COO) has announced that Canada's Organic Products Regulations will be amended sometime this fall, but no specific date has been set. At the end of summer or early fall, the COO has said it will consult with industry before publishing the amended regulations in Gazette I. That preliminary consultation will include OTA. After publication, there will be a 75-day period for public comment.
On a much more immediate note, the Organic Quality Management System (QMS) Manual has just been revised and sent out for public comment by July 16.
The OTA's Task Force on Canada's Regulations and QMS Manual is reviewing the document for comment and the OTA will be involved in industry-only consultations with the COO following this.
See our Canadian regulations and standards page for more information and copies of the document.
June 8, 2007: Stephanie Wells, liaison for OTA in Canada, has been appointed interim president of the Organic Federation of Canada (OFC), which interacts with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency on Canada's Organic Products Regulations. The Federation consists of one industry representative from each province and territory and a national trade seat, held by OTA in Canada. Each province and territory may send an ex-officio representative to OFC. Its mandate is to provide the Canada Organic Office with ongoing organic industry expertise on regulatory issues. Wells will hold the position until the OFC annual meeting in November.
March 29, 2007: The Organic Trade Association has selected Matthew Holmes as managing director for OTA in Canada. Holmes will begin this new position in April.
“After a coast-to-coast search, OTA was pleased to find such an enthusiastic candidate with knowledge of organic issues and the leadership skills necessary for OTA in Canada at this time,” said Caren Wilcox, executive director of the Organic Trade Association. “Hiring Matthew brings to fruition the vision OTA’s Board and members had for additional attention for OTA’s Canadian members.” Read Press Release
January 3, 2007: Canada’s New Organic Regulations Expected to Boost Consumer Confidence
The Organic Trade Association (OTA) is pleased by the Canadian government’s December 22 publication of the federal regulation for organic food and livestock feeds. “Consumers will now be assured that when they purchase food that is labeled ‘Canada Organic’ it means that it was produced in compliance with a strict set of national standards for certification,” said Stephanie Wells, OTA’s Canada Liaison. “The regulation will help ease the way for organic trade between provinces and with other countries.” (See the regulation at
http://canadagazette.gc.ca/partII/2006/20061221-x6/html/extra-e.html.)
Link here to press release
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