Canada Invests Over $500,000 to Boost Global Competitiveness in Organic Agriculture Standards
Source: The DairyNews
In response to the surging demand for organic food products both domestically and internationally, the Canadian government has taken a significant step to fortify the country's position in the global organic market.
Canada, already a top performer in organic sales worldwide, recognizes the crucial need for standardization to uphold its competitive edge. Stricter regulations not only safeguard Canadian consumers but also ensure that imported organic products adhere to the nation's high standards.
Today, the Honourable Lawrence MacAulay, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, unveiled a $502,374 investment in the Organic Federation of Canada (OFC) to modernize standards governing the production and marketing of certified organic products. This funding stems from the AgriAssurance Program – National Industry Association Component, an initiative falling under the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership.
Working closely with the organic sector, the OFC will revise the Canadian Organic Standards, incorporating new practices, permitted substances, and updated sections on animal welfare. The project emphasizes innovative, sustainable, and ecological organic practices designed to mitigate climate change by capturing and storing carbon in soil, as well as reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The OFC's exploration of regenerative agriculture practices, such as vertical farming and sunless crops, promises positive, enduring impacts on the sector.
Quick Facts:
Today, the Honourable Lawrence MacAulay, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, unveiled a $502,374 investment in the Organic Federation of Canada (OFC) to modernize standards governing the production and marketing of certified organic products. This funding stems from the AgriAssurance Program – National Industry Association Component, an initiative falling under the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership.
Working closely with the organic sector, the OFC will revise the Canadian Organic Standards, incorporating new practices, permitted substances, and updated sections on animal welfare. The project emphasizes innovative, sustainable, and ecological organic practices designed to mitigate climate change by capturing and storing carbon in soil, as well as reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The OFC's exploration of regenerative agriculture practices, such as vertical farming and sunless crops, promises positive, enduring impacts on the sector.
Quick Facts:
- The AgriAssurance Program, operating under the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership, supports national-level projects that help the industry develop, verify, and integrate assurance systems, meeting market and regulatory requirements. This enables the industry to make credible, meaningful claims about the health, safety, and quality of Canadian agricultural products.
- The application period for the AgriAssurance Program is currently open.
- The Organic Federation of Canada (OFC) serves as the national organization responsible for maintaining and interpreting the Canadian Organic Standards, as well as administering scientific research in organic agriculture in Canada.
- The OFC has successfully overseen the revision of the Canadian Organic Standards since 2015, with updates occurring every five years.
- The Canadian Organic Standards encompass detailed principles, guidelines, and permitted substances used in the organic certification process. They explicitly prohibit the use of genetic engineering or gene-edited material in crop and livestock production.
- The scope of the Canadian Organic Standards includes field crops, honey, maple sugar, sprouts, horticulture, greenhouse crops, livestock (dairy, poultry, pig, sheep, and goats), and processed food.
