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December 2011
COTA defends organic
COTA's Executive Director Matthew Holmes defended the organic sector in the media after CBC published government data showing organic products had tested positive for trace residues of prohibited pesticides. In a series of interviews, including the CBC TV's headline show "The National", Holmes and others from the organic sector showed how chemical agriculture has contaminated much of our world, and the way to limit exposure to these chemicals is to choose organic. See COTA's statement here.
Quebec adopts national standard
Quebec has announced that as of Jan. 1, it will adopt Canada's national organic standards, further streamlining the organic sector in the province with new federal rules. See the french version here. Shortly after the announcement, COTA's Matthew Holmes spoke at the Filiere Biologique du Quebec's meeting of the Quebec organic sector, and highlighted international market conditions and opportunities under Canada's organic equivalency agreements and AgriMarketing program.
November 2011
New Organic Leaders
COTA is pleased to welcome two familiar faces to new roles in Canada's organic sector. On Nov. 15 at the Ottawa meeting of the Organic Value Chain Roundtable, an industry advisory body to the federal government, Gunta Vitins was acclaimed as the new industry co-chair. Vitins currently serves as COTA President and OTA VP Canada, and works as an independent consultant. On Nov. 17, the Canadian Organic Growers (COG) announced Beth McMahon is its new national Executive Director. McMahon has most recently served as Executive Director of ACORN (Atlantic Canadian Organic Regional Network) and has a background in non-profit management and fundraising. COG is a national charitable organization representing a diverse membership from organic producers to consumers. COTA has partnered with both organizations for years, and looks forward to continuing this good collaboration. Congratulations Gunta and Beth!
COTA Comments
COTA submitted two formal comments relating to government consultations. In the first, COTA advocated against any loosening of current government regulatory oversight or review on "low level presence" thresholds for unapproved GMOs shipped into Canada. The formal submission can be found here.
In the second, COTA wrote in favour of CFIA draft guidelines to restrict the use of "natural" claims on meat products, suggesting that such claims in Canada are currently unregulated, do not meet standards or consistent definitions, and are causing widespread consumer confusion. The formal submission can be found here
Processor Workshop
In partnership with the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA), COTA hosted a workshop in Toronto on Nov. 22. "Be prepared for the Global Organic Market - What you need to know" focused on value-added organic food exports, and was directed to producers seeking to increase their exports to key global markets in strategic countries in regions of Europe, the United States and Asia-Pacific. Speakers included experts from United States, Germany and Canada.
Ottawa Roundtable
COTA's Matthew Holmes attended the government consultations on a GMO "low level presence" policy, and took part in the semi-annual meeting of the Organic Value Chain Roundtable where he chairs the Regulatory Group. Currently, the Roundtable is discussing long-term funding of standards maintenance, a branding program for the organic sector, and the impacts of GMOs on organic agriculture and trade.
ACORN Conference
COTA's Matthew Holmes attended the Atlantic Canadian Organic Regional Network's 12th annual organic conference and trade show in Halifax Nov. 11-14. The event hosted over 40 workshops and the celebratory organic banquet featured a keynote address by Katherine DiMatteo of Wolf, DiMatteo + Associates.
October 2011
Testimony before Parliament Committee on Agriculture
On Oct. 25, COTA’s Matthew Holmes testified before Parliamentarians on the House Standing Committee on Agriculture and Agri-Food. The Committee is discussing "Growing Forward 2," the multilateral policy vehicle by which the federal and provincial governments streamline their priorities and activities in agriculture for the next five years. Holmes called for support programs for new entrants to organic farming, long-term maintenance of the standards, and an ongoing commitment to scientific research into organic production and methods.
Funding for branding Canada organic
On Oct. 21, Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz announced $195,000 through the AgriMarketing Program to help COTA brand Canada within the global organic sector, build brand awareness within established target markets, participate in international trade shows, contribute to capacity development and identification of new exporters, and capitalize on demand opportunities.
Parliament Day
Organic Week culminated in Parliament Day Oct. 18, when organic farm and industry leaders gathered for a morning of speakers on advocacy and branding, with Green Party of Canada leader Elizabeth May giving the keynote address. The organic representatives then called on Members of Parliament and the Senate who sit on the House Committee on Agriculture to discuss major issues facing the organic sector. The day ended with the organic sector hosting MPs and Senators for an all-organic reception on Parliament Hill near the Senate chambers.
Organic Week 2011
The second annual National Organic Week was celebrated across Canada Oct.15-22, with hundreds of event partners and participating retailers showcasing organic products and holding community events. This year's Organic Week also included integrated communications through various social media channels and a revamped website, featuring Organic Week events, related videos and the Globe and Mail Special Report on Organics.
Globe and Mail Feature
GLobe and Mail published a special feature on Friday Oct. 14, to help celebrate Organic Week. The "Go Organic" section included a call for a "100-year diet" by COTA Executive Director Mathew Holmes, a Q & A with Maria Rodale (author of the Organic Manifesto), and informative sections on the Canadian organic market and GMO issues as well as consumer information on how to choose organic on a budget. View the special Organic Week Globe and Mail here.
IFOAM Congress
COTA’s Executive Director Matthew Holmes attended the 17th IFOAM Organic World Congress in South Korea, where he delivered two talks with OTA's Senior Trade Advisor Bob Anderson. The International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements (IFOAM) hosted the Congress in conjunction with the World Organic Fair and a series of organic conferences. On October 4th, Holmes was elected for the IFOAM World Board.
September 2011
COTA-OTA Affiliation passes:
OTA’s membership has approved an affiliation agreement between OTA and COTA creating a new relationship and member recognition between the two organizations. Under the agreement, COTA will have its own member-elected Board and By-laws. Current trade members of OTA with operations in Canada are eligible for membership in COTA, with the same benefits and services they currently enjoy under OTA. With two dedicated Canadian seats elected by COTA to the OTA Board, OTA will continue to be the North American representative of the organic sector. This is the culmination of five years of efforts by staff on both sides of the border to empower and represent the Canadian membership through democratic systems.
IFOAM Congress:
COTA' Executive Director Matthew Holmes attended the 17th IFOAM Organic World Congress in the Republic of Korea Sept. 26 to October 5. COTA had a Canada Organic booth and Holmes spoke on the Canadian organic sector and, with OTA, on the successful Canada-U.S. Equivalency Arrangement. During the event, Holmes was elected to the World Board of IFOAM and is the only representative from North America on the 10 person board. To find out more, see the OTA press release here.
Notifications of CFIA decertifications:
As soon as an accredited certification body provides a list of suspensions and cancellations of organic certification, the information is posted on the Canadian Food Inspection Agency website. PACS in British Columbia is the first to have provided a list. Certifiers must suspend a holder's certification if the holder has not complied with provisions of the Organic Products Regulations, the Canada Agricultural Products Act or the issued organic certification. To learn more about certification suspension and cancellation, visit the CFIA website.
August 2011
Media Response:
Following the first organic certification suspension by the Canada Organic Office, articles appeared in the Montreal Gazette, Ottawa Citizen, Vancouver Sun, and the Victoria Times-Columnist, quoting COTA on the federal system's effectiveness and the importance of rigorous enforcement of the Organic Products Regulations. To read the Ottawa Citizen article, click here.
Hong Kong:
On August 25, COTA's Matthew Holmes spoke at Nutracon Asia at the Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Center in Hong Kong. The event, co-located with Natural Products Expo Asia, had over 11,000 visitors. Holmes was part of an international team of experts invited to examine the global market for organic foods. For more information, click here.
Policy Options:
The August issue of Policy Options, Canada's premier public policy magazine, included an article written by COTA's Executive Director Matthew Holmes. Titled "Genetics, market access and the growth of organic agriculture", the article touched on Canadian organic standards and the issues with GMO's. To download this article, visit the Policy Options website here.
July 2011
Suspension of certification:
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) arrounced on July 27 that the organic certification for Jirah Milling and Sales has been suspended, effective July 25, 2011. Jirah Milling's certification was suspended for failing to comply with the Organic Products Regulations of 2009, and is no longer authorized to market organic products or use the Canada Organic logo. COTA supports the CFIA's efforts to enforce the integrity of the organic system in Canada, ensuring that the public and our trading partners continue to trust the organic claim.
Organic Equivalecy Letters:
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency recently made public the letters exchanged between the CFIA and the European Commission regarding the organic equivalency agreement. The Canada-EU letters officially recognize that the organic regulations from the both countries are in equal accordance. Find the official letter here. Cliquez ici pour obtenir la version française.
COTA relocates to new office:
COTA headquarters relocated to a handsome heritage building in Sackville, New Brunswick. Built in 1841, the Joseph F. Allison House was home to one of the first speakers of the Senate of the Dominion of Canada. The building houses a number of non-profit organizations and will be the new home for both COTA and ACORN (the Atlantic Canadian Organic Regional Network). COTA's mailing and contact information will remain unchanged.
Agriculture Reception:
COTA's Matthew Holmes was invited to the opening reception of the annual meeting of federal, provincial and territorial ministers responsible for agriculture. The meeting, which took place in St. Andrew, New Brunswick, was co-chaired by New Brunswick's Agriculture, Aquaculture and Fisheries Minister Michael Olscamp and the federal Minister of Agriculture Gerry Ritz.
June 2011
Canadian grain
On June 29, Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz announced the federal government’s intention to offer Western Canadian grain farmers the option of selling their products privately or through the Canadian Wheat Board. The government says this approach would give marketing freedom to producers and allow businesses to access more diverse marketing opportunities See details on the AAFC website.
End of Stream of Commerce
June 30th marked the end of CFIA’s two-year “phase-in” Stream of Commerce period. As of July 1st, all food, livestock feed, seeds and agricultural crops labeled and sold as organic in Canada must be certified by a CFIA-accredited certification body or indicate that they comply with requirements of the U.S.-Canada Equivalency Agreement. All products must meet the labeling requirements of the country in which they are sold.
National Organic Program officers conduct annual peer review
Members of USDA’s National Organic Program were in Quebec to conduct the annual peer review under the U.S.-Canada Organic Equivalency Agreement. Officials met with the Canada Organic Office of CFIA, and visited the CARTV accreditation arm, the offices of Ecocert Canada, certified operators, and met with the Filière Biologique du Quebec, an advocacy group for the province's organic sector.
Organic grants awarded
Stonyfield Canada chose five exciting projects from 83 submissions for a total of $25,000 in grants under its Profit for the Planet program. The grant jurists were Chantale Després, Canadian National Railway's director of sustainability and fundraising chair for The Climate Project Canada; COTA’s Matthew Holmes; Dimitra Georgakis, consultant for Enzyme, a health-focused agency; and Iannick Melançon, Stonyfield’s brand manager. For more information click here.
COTA comments on aquaculture standards
COTA submitted comment to the Canadian General Standards Board (CGSB) on the second draft of Organic Aquaculture Standards. Nine months ago, COTA's comment on the first draft called for more rigor around water quality and environment, pest management, permitted and prohibited substances, buffer zones, and stocking rates. Overall, the CGSB technical committee has improved these rules, but COTA has requested more measurables and highlighted concern regarding cultivated marine animals held in proximity to wild animals of the same species.
Archived COTA News and Activities
Return to the Canada Organic Trade Association page.
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