Note: This page is an archive of past news briefs from the OTA in Canada webpage. We cannot guarantee that all information or web-links are up-to-date.
October 21: To conclude
Organic Week, 35 members of the Canadian organic sector took part in COTA’s Parliament Day on Oct. 18. The morning started with presentations by prominent Canadian environmentalists, government relations experts and journalists. During the day, participants met directly with nine members of Parliament who sit on the House Standing Committee on Agriculture and Agri-Food, as well as the team at the Canadian Food Inspection Agency’s Canada Organic Office, to introduce the Canadian organic sector and engage in constructive discussion on its future development. The group also attended a rousing “Question Period” within the public galleries of the House of Commons to watch the government in action defending its record. It then hosted a capacity-crowd of members of Parliament and Senators at a three-hour all-organic reception near the Senate Chambers. Photo highlights from the events are
available here.
Organic feature published for Organic Week:Canada’s national
Globe and Mail newspaper published a full stand-alone special feature section on the growing organic market on Thursday, October 14. The organic section featured elite athletes, prominent researchers and other experts on the benefits of choosing organic products, and also highlighted the new organic regulation, market trends and Canada Organic logo now appearing in stores. A digital copy of the feature is
available online.Export trade mission to the Netherlands in January 2011:In partnership with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, COTA will lead an export trade mission to the Netherlands and Germany Jan.17-21, 2011. Canada’s trade commissioners will introduce participants to local importers and their extensive industry contacts through facilitated trade meetings. Participants will also attend the BioVak organic expo in Zwolle. Limited spaces are available for this trip. Possible funding support is available. Contact
Matthew Holmes.
Organic Aquaculture Standards meetings:On Oct. 27-29, the Canadian General Standards Board will hold the first meetings on the draft
Organic Aquaculture Standards. On Aug. 30, COTA submitted comments on the draft to the Canadian General Standards Board. COTA’s
Stephanie Wells will attend the Ottawa meetings this week to ensure our members’ views continue to be at the forefront in the development of new standards.
October 4: Matthew Holmes was called to provide testimony before members of Parliament at the House Standing Committee on Agriculture in Ottawa on Tuesday, Oct. 5. The committee was hearing industry perspectives on private member bill C-474, which proposes economic impact assessments on export markets before new regulatory approvals of genetically engineered (GE) crops are approved. Holmes spoke in support of the bill and related measures that provide the organic sector with better safeguards against market loss from GE contamination.
Read his testimony here.National Organic Week: Canada’s first National Organic Week runs Oct. 9 (Thanksgiving) to Oct.16 (World Food Day). Events include a Parliamentary Reception and Hill visit in Ottawa, and festivities organized by regional partners across the country. COTA encourages you to take part by talking with your customers about the benefits of organic and about the week celebrating Canada’s growing organic sector. Please show your support by inviting them to visit the
event website.
September 21: Exhibit space is now available for the
Canada Organic Pavilion at BioFach Feb. 16-19, 2011. The Canada Pavilion features 13 exhibitor booths, a Canada Information booth and a meeting lounge. Exhibitors will benefit from a pre-show promotional mailing to European buyers, extensive market information, and access to European trade commissioners. With market development support from Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC), participants will have complimentary access to the Feb. 17 Canada Reception, a listing in the official Canada Organic BioFach Pavilion exhibitor brochure, a Canada Organic Pavilion marketing campaign prior to and during BioFach, and assistance with travel and shipping arrangements.
Export Trade Mission to Germany and the Netherlands Jan. 17-21, 2011:The Canada Organic Trade Association, in partnership with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, will lead an export trade mission to the Netherlands and Germany Jan. 17-21, 2011. Canada’s trade commissioners will introduce export-ready participants to local importers and industry contacts through facilitated trade meetings. Participants will also attend the BioVak organic expo in Zwolle. The trade mission aims to help Canadian companies develop their export strategy and broaden trade networks in Europe. Possible funding support is available; space is limited. Contact
Matthew Holmes for further details or call 613-482-1717.
September 7: Last Tuesday, COTA’s Matthew Holmes was in Truro, Nova Scotia, to attend the official announcement by the Honorable Gerry Ritz, Minister of Agriculture Canada, of $6.5 million in research funding for organic agriculture, to be matched with another $2.2 million in industry funds. The Organic Science Cluster is composed of ten sub-projects in research areas such as energy efficient organic greenhouse production and low-till production without herbicides. The Organic Science Cluster, a joint initiative led by the Organic Agriculture Centre of Canada and the Organic Federation of Canada, will run until March 2013. Read the
official funding announcement or visit the
Organic Science Cluster website for more details.
COTA comments on aquaculture standards:On August 30, COTA submitted comment on Canada’s draft Organic Aquaculture Standards to the Canadian General Standards Board. COTA’s letter and technical submission indicate support for the development of rigorous organic standards for aquaculture. More discussion and details on water quality and environment, pest management, permitted and prohibited substances, buffer zones, and stocking rates are still needed before the draft standards can be accepted. COTA will have a voting seat on the aquaculture technical committee and will represent member comments at this table. If you have immediate questions, contact
Stephanie Wells.
August 24, 2010: The working draft for Canada’s Organic Aquaculture Standards is open for public comment until Aug. 29. The draft standards, comment form and instructions are
available here. COTA has a voting seat on the aquaculture technical committee and will represent member comments at this table. If you have immediate questions, contact
Stephanie Wells.
May 17, 2010: COTA's Matthew Holmes has been made an ambassador of the Global Organic Market Access (GOMA) project of
IFOAM,
UNCTAD and
FAO. The GOMA project seeks to simplify the process for trade flow of organic products among various regulatory and/or private organic guarantee systems through facilitation, outreach, analysis, technical assistance and pilot projects. Explore their website for more information on the
GOMA Project.
April 20, 2010: The Canada Organic Trade Association has launched a Canadian export survey to inform the next five-years of priority setting and activities, including trade shows and buyer missions. The survey is intended for Canadians currently exporting or considering export activities, and those engaged in the trade of organic products. Canada Organic Trade Association's Canadian export project is supported in part by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada's AgriMarketing Program. The survey is available online in
French and in
English.
COTA is proud to launch a new consumer website for consumers interested in knowing
more about organic products in Canada and the new "Biologique Canada Organic" logo.
Visit
Organic-Biologique
August 10, 2010: The Quebec government has announced it will establish a subsidy program to help farmers convert to organic agriculture. The overall goal is to have 10,000 additional hectares in Quebec transitioned to organic production by 2013. Currently, Quebec has 45,000 hectares under organic cultivation. This would bring the total percentage of organically managed agricultural land to 20 percent.
Read the whole article here.
July 27, 2010: Are you a Canadian small or medium-sized enterprise (under 250 employees) that wants to pursue your own international marketing opportunity? Up to $50,000 in cost-matching dollars are available for special projects that target non-U.S. export markets. Projects may include advertising, in-store promotions/demonstrations, trade seminars and trade shows, and outgoing or exploratory missions. COTA is the organic sector partner with Agriculture Canada for this funding, and all company applications must be made through COTA. E-mail
Matthew Holmes no later than Aug. 16 to indicate your interest.
July 12, 2010: The OTA Board of Directors recently formally approved adoption of the “Canada Organic Trade Association” (COTA) name. The Board also approved a change to how Canadian member dues and contributions are collected. Effective immediately, Canadian members can pay their dues in Canadian dollars at par directly to the COTA office. Members on both sides of the border will continue to receive information and services based on their market interest and needs in the United States, Canada, and through our various export programs. Contact
Matthew Holmes for more information.
July 12, 2010: Survey looks for
your company’s export profile. Your participation in a national survey is needed to make the most of the Canada Organic Trade Association’s (COTA’s) Canadian export initiative, which has received a second year of funding from Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada. The survey findings will shape the development and delivery of a long-term international strategy for Canadian organic exports by determining domestic capacity, infrastructure, and mentorship needs. If you are a Canadian company currently exporting or considering export trade in organic products, we urge you to complete the
survey online. COTA’s export initiative includes planning and funding opportunities for trade shows and buyer missions.
June 28, 2010: Steps continue toward possible Canada-EU equivalency agreement. Canadian officials from the Canada Organic Office, CFIA, were in the EU last week to conduct a full review of the European organic regulatory system. Canadian officials conducted on-site visits of regulators, accreditors, certifying bodies and operators in the UK and Belgium. This audit follows a similar review by officials with the European Commission in Canada earlier this spring. The exchange is one of the finals steps following months of negotiations on an equivalency agreement between the EU and Canada.
June 15, 2010: The OTA-Canada Advisory Committee welcomes Elisabeth Bélanger of La Maison Orphée to fill the committee’s appointed seat. This completes the roster for the new committee, whose tenure began on June 14. The recently elected members are Cynthia Beretta of Beretta Organic Farms (re-elected), Steve Cavell of Organic Meadow, and Kelly Monaghan of Ash Street Organics (re-elected). OTA in Canada thanks outgoing board member Hélène Bouvier of Organic Ranchers for her many years of service.
June 1, 2010: The OTA in Canada elections results are in. With 32 percent of Canadian trade members voting, Cynthia Beretta (owner of Beretta Organic Farms) and Kelly Monaghan (President of Ash Street Organics) have been re-elected to the OTA-Canada Advisory Committee. Also elected was Steve Cavell (CEO of Organic Meadow). The members of the advisory committee will appoint a fourth seat, and that person will join the incoming committee when its tenure begins on June 14. Congratulations to the new committee, and many thanks to all members who were candidates in the 2010 election.
May 17, 2010: Canada Organic Trade Association is partnering with other organic groups in Canada to launch National Organic Week from Oct. 9 (Thanksgiving) to Oct.16 (World Food Day). To complement national and local activities, COTA will again organize the Special Report on Organic in the national Globe and Mail, as well as a Parliamentary reception in Ottawa. Members interested in advertising or sponsorship opportunities may contact
Matthew HolmesYou may download last year's report
here.
May 17, 2010: COTA's Matthew Holmes has been made an ambassador of the Global Organic Market Access (GOMA) project of IFOAM, UNCTAD and FAO. The GOMA project seeks to simplify the process for trade flow of organic products among various regulatory and/or private organic guarantee systems through facilitation, outreach, analysis, technical assistance and pilot projects. Explore their website for more information on the
GOMA Project.
May 3, 2010: Matthew Holmes has been selected chair of the Regulatory Working Group of the Organic Value Chain Roundtable, a sectoral advisory body to Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada. The Regulatory Working Group has recently prioritized a number of critical regulatory gaps or barriers affecting Canada’s organic sector. Holmes succeeds outgoing chair and OTA Board member Tom Cowell.
April 20, 2010: OTA members in Canada joined many other groups across the country in a writing campaign to urge MPs to support Bill C-474, a private members’ bill to require that “an analysis of potential harm to export markets be conducted before the sale of any new genetically engineered seed is permitted.” On April 14, the bill passed with a majority of the opposition voting ‘yea’ (153) to government ‘nay’ votes (134), with eight votes paired. The Seeds Regulations Act will now be referred to the House Standing Committee on Agriculture.
April 6, 2010: Organic has made the top ten list of menu trends in the Canadian Restaurant and Foodservices Association’s first-ever
Canadian Chef Survey. Organic was listed as the third top menu trend, right after locally sourced and sustainable. In 2006, restaurants and food service had organic sales of 10 million dollars and made up 1 percent of total organic food sales in Canada.
March 22, 2010: The Standards Interpretation Committee has issued its first set of official answers to questions received on the Canadian organic standards. The interpretations are subject to a 60-day comment period, after which they will be adopted by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency. Copies of the interpretations are posted on the COTA
standards page, as are instructions for submitting formal questions in the future.
March 4, 2010: Organic has made the top ten list of menu trends in the Canadian Restaurant and Foodservices Association's first-ever
Canadian Chef Survey. Organic food was listed as the third highest menu trend, right after locally sourced and sustainable. In 2006, restaurants and food service had organic sales of 10 million dollars and made up 1 percent of total organic food sales in Canada.
February 22, 2010: Prior to BioFach last week, OTA in Canada conducted a brief market tour of the Netherlands, with the assistance of the Canadian trade commissioner stationed at The Hague and the AgriMarketing Program of Agriculture Canada. Participating Canadian members of OTA met with distributors, logistics providers, brokers and importers. Information gleaned from this trip will be used for the Canadian organic export strategy.
February 12, 2010: While Vancouver's Olympics shops are selling some organic cotton T-shirts, the big news is that Hain Celestial Canada was named the first-ever official supplier of natural and organic grocery products for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympics Winter Games. Many of Hain Celestial's organic brands are being served to athletes and spectators at official Olympic events and at Canada House during the Vancouver Olympics.
January 21, 2010: The Canadian General Standards Board's technical committee on organic agriculture held a three-day meeting in Cornwall, Ontario to review possible 2010 amendments to the Canadian organic standards. At the meeting, CFIA announced the standards would once again be provided free-of-charge, as an agreement in principle with CGSB has been struck. Canadian Organic Growers, the Organic Federation of Canada and OTA in Canada have been vocal on this critical issue, and OTA in Canada is very pleased to see that the standards will once more be accessible to all.
January 21, 2010: An article published yesterday by
CBC News on a study which found that almost half of Canadians "believe it is more important a food be labeled natural than organic, even though organic foods are more heavily regulated." The study identified price pressures, consumer confusion and the need for increased consumer education as critical factors in this result. The Canada Organic Trade Association recently launched a
consumer website and has asked the government for a public awareness campaign on the new Canadian organic system.
January 2010: The
Guelph Organic Conference is coming up at the end of the month. Be sure to join Stonyfield Farm and OTA in Canada for a special screening of
Food Inc. with special guest Gary Hirshberg, CEO of Stonyfield Farm on Thursday January 28.
January 2010: Happy New Year! The Organic Products Regulations are now six-months old. To see the OPR to its first birthday, OTA in Canada is hiring a Policy and Outreach Coordinator (
download the job description) offered through the
Youth-Eco Internship Program.
December 2009:The Standards Interpretation Committee held its first meeting to discuss questions relating to the Canadian standards. Instructions will be posted by the CFIA on its
organic pages. Questions on the meaning or practice of the standards should be directed to
Elizabeth Corrigan at CFIA.
November 2009: The
Globe and Mail has published a
special report on organic in Canada (PDF version of Nov. 12 report).
October 2009: OTA in Canada applauds the Ontario Minister of Agriculture intervening on a Turkey Farmers of Ontario ruling that impinges on organic farmers' rights to pasture. Read the update in the
Toronto Star. For background, visit our partners at the
Organic Council of Ontario.
October 5-6, 2009: OTA in Canada held a Training Session for Organic Processors in Toronto on October 5. The updated course was organized in response to high demand from those who missed our earlier workshops on how to prepare for Canada's new regulation this Spring. The session was held in concert with the
Ethnic Specialty Food Expo, including the All Things Organic™ pavilion.
Fall 2009: OTA in Canada staff have been on the road presenting at major conferences in Canada, the U.S., and to Canada's international Trade Commissioners.
July 1, 2009: Check out our
Equivalency page for all you need to know about the Equivalency Determination agreement between the United States and Canada.
June 30, 2009: Today's the day! Canada's
Organic Products Regulations and new "Canada Organic" logo (see below) come into effect after years of sector consultation and preparation. OTA in Canada would like to say
Thank You to the Government of Canada for hearing our calls for effective regulation of the organic sector in Canada.
June 24, 2009: The final version of the
Organic Products Regulations were published in the Canada Gazette (Part II) and a new "Biologique Canada Organic" logo was unveiled.
June 2009: OTA in Canada and IOIA will offer one-day and two-day workshops on the new Canadian standards and regulations during
All Things Organic™ on June 15-16, 2009.
More information and registration can be found here.
April 2009: Reminder to members: Comments on Canada's Organic Products Regulations must be sent to Michel Saumur, Canada Organic Office c/o
OPR.RPB@inspection.gc.ca by Wednesday, April 29. Download the OPR from our Canadian standards and regulations page,
here.
March 2009: Everyone's talking equivalency! Read the
OTA press release on recent progress toward an agreement. See the March/April issue of
Organic Processing Magazine for an overview of Canada's regulation and standards, and a call for a Canada-US equivalency agreement. Meanwhile,
The Packer newspaper interviewed OTA's Matthew Holmes on this critical issue for the organic business community in their March 23rd issue.
March 2009: OTA in Canada's processor workshops were a great success, and we are looking into the possibility of offering more sessions later this spring. These workshops were held in partnership with COG and IOIA and the support of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada.
February 2009: The amended Organic Products Regulations (OPR) have been published in Canada Gazette (Part I). Read OTA's press release
here. Download the OPR from our Canadian standards and regulations page,
here.
January 2009: OTA in Canada has published a
list of the approved certifiers and accreditors under the Canada Organic Regime.
December 2008: OTA in Canada conducted two surveys on behalf of the Organic Value Chain Roundtable to poll the Canadian organic sector on the preferred organic logo. Option "5", a circle featuring a red maple leaf and the wording "Canada Organic Regime", was chosed in a run-off vote.
November 2008: The Canada Organic Office has released a draft Stream of Commerce policy for comment.
Review the document on our Canadian organic standards and regulations page.
November 2008: OTA in Canada's Matthew Holmes has been made industry liaison to the Canada Organic Office in revising Canada's "Organic / Biologique" logo. Stay tuned for more information.
October 2008:The Ethnic and Specialty Food Expo, including the All Things Organic™ pavilion held in Toronto was a great success, with an increase in exhibtors, attendees, media coverage, and an excellent conference and workshop program.
Visit the Expo's website for information on the 2009 show.
September 2008: The Organic Trade Association in Canada announces that an
official amendmentto the Organic Products Regulation has been published in the Canada Gazette (II), delaying implementation of the new regulations and standards until June 30, 2009.
August 2008: The Organic Trade Association in Canada has made available to all OTA members the positive ballot results for all amendments to the Canadian organic standards (ballots 1 through 3). These documents are provided exclusively to members of OTA in order to assess likely changes to the Canadian organic standards in time for the implementation of Canada's Organic Products Regulations.
Download the amendments (requires member ID and password).
August 2008: OTA in Canada published a guest editorial in the Calgary Herald responding to misinformation and criticism of the organic sector.
Read the response.
July 2008: OTA in Canada hosted a reception for our members in British Columbia on the evening of July 29. The event was held at the Armstrong Gallery, atop the Vancouver Lookout at Harbour Centre. The catered event was well-attended and all enjoyed a chance to kick back and reconnect with the local organic community in BC.
June 2008: The Organic Trade Association in Canada has made available to all OTA members the positive results of the first two ballots on amendments to the Canadian organic standards. These documents are provided exclusively to members of OTA in order to assess likely changes to the Canadian organic standards in time for the implementation of Canada's Organic Products Regulations.
Download the amendments (requires member ID and password).
June 2008: OTA in Canada has released an unofficial list of Accreditation Bodies and Certifying Bodies currently operating in Canada who are expected to be approved to operate under Canada's Organic Products Regulations.
See the list.
May 2008: The Organic Value Chain Roundtable has released a white paper on future directions for organic agriculture in Canada,
Growing Forward with Organics. The document makes specific policy recommendations for current Federal-Provincial-Territorial negotiations on the next multi-year Agricultural Policy Framework Agreement. OTA in Canada has contributed heavily to this document and endorses its objectives. We encourage all members to contact their federal members of parliament, members of provincial parliaments, and Ministers of Agriculture to make them aware of the need for ongoing, targeted support for the organic sector in Canada. This is a significant opportunity for you to directly influence the future of the organic sector in Canada and time is of the essence – please act today. A copy of the report is available for download here: (
GrowingForward (pdf)). You can search for the contact information for your member of parliament by following
this link and entering your postal code.
April 2008: OTA in Canada is pleased to announce the results of the Canada Advisory Committee elections and to welcome our new committee members: Cynthia Berretta, Tom Cowell, and Gunta Vitins, and to welcome back Kelly Monaghan, who begins her second term. OTA thanks the committee, past and present, for their commitment to guide and assist OTA's activities in Canada. The Canada Advisory Committee is made up of eight Canadian trade members: Cynthia Beretta, Beretta Organic Farms; Nancy Ciancibello, Plen Organics; Tom Cowell, Growers International Organic Sales, Inc; Dag Falck, Nature's Path Foods Inc.; Ellen Karp, Anerca International Inc.; Kelly A. Monaghan, Ash Street Enterprises; Dwayne Smith, Grainworks Inc.; and Gunta Vitins, ProOrganics/SunOpta Inc.
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 27
th 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 and 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 between $0.05 and $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." (Read the regulations on the Gazette website
here.)
Link here to press release
Return to
Canada Organic Trade Association.
