OTTAWA,
ON, June 27, 2024 /CNW/ - The organic industry
is one of the fastest growing sectors in Canada. Organic farming techniques can help
improve soil health, promote biodiversity, and boost farm
resilience in the face of climate change.
Today, to mark the 15th anniversary of the Canada
Organic Regime, the Honourable Lawrence MacAulay, Minister of
Agriculture and Agri-Food, announced an investment of more than
$2 million to two organizations
through the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership.
The Canada Organic Trade Association is receiving up to
$1,175,841 over three years, under
the AgriMarketing Program, to facilitate the growth of an
innovative and profitable organic sector by resolving market access
issues, ensuring Canadian organic products are competitive,
building export capacity, and developing domestic opportunities.
Activities include incoming and outgoing trade missions,
international trade shows, technical training, and marketing
campaigns.
The Prairie Organic Development Fund is receiving up to
$985,985 over three years, under the
AgriCompetitiveness Program, to advance the organic sector in
Canada by building evidence for
organics through data aggregation and benchmarking, growing organic
supply and leadership through education, tools, and skill-building,
and strengthening public trust in Canadian organics.
Quotes
"I'm so pleased to celebrate this milestone today and highlight
our continued support for the Canadian organic industry. With
increasing demand for local organic products from folks here in
Canada and around the world, I
have no doubt this investment will have a positive impact right
across the value chain."
- The
Honourable Lawrence MacAulay, Minister of Agriculture and
Agri-Food
"We are thrilled to acknowledge the remarkable success
facilitated by the AgriMarketing funding from AAFC. This support
has been instrumental in advancing our mission at the Canada
Organic Trade Association, enabling us to expand our reach, enhance
our marketing strategies, and ultimately strengthen the organic
sector in Canada. This funding has
not only empowered our growers and manufacturers but has also
reinforced Canada's position as a
global leader in organic agriculture."
-
Tia Loftsgard, Executive Director,
Canada Organic Trade Association
"The Prairie Organic Development Fund is grateful for the
investment in the organic sector. The goal of the project is to
increase profitability, improve environmental outcomes and increase
public trust in the Canadian organic agri-food industry. The funds
will help improve data collection and develop tools and
skill-building activities, making an important contribution to
growing organic supply and helping farmers adopt agronomic
practices, making them more resilient to climate change."
-
Jim Robbins, President, Prairie
Organic Development Fund
Quick facts
- Organic food and beverage sales in Canada exceeded $7.94
billion in 2022 (up from $7.24
billion in 2021). The total organic sector, which includes
non-regulated products such as textiles and pet food, grew to
$10.26 billion in sales in 2022 (up
from $9.35 billion in 2021).
- June 30, 2024 marks the
15th anniversary of the Canada Organic Regime, the
Government of Canada's regulated
system for organic products, overseen by the Canadian Food
Inspection Agency.
- The Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (Sustainable
CAP) is a $3.5-billion, 5-year
agreement (April 1, 2023 to
March 31, 2028), between the federal,
provincial and territorial governments to strengthen the
competitiveness, innovation, and resiliency of the agriculture,
agri‐food and agri‐based products sector.
- The AgriMarketing Program is one of the federal programs under
the Sustainable CAP and was established to help industry increase
and diversify exports to international markets and seize domestic
market opportunities through industry-led promotional activities
that differentiate Canadian products and producers, and leverage
Canada's reputation for
high-quality and safe food.
- The AgriCompetitiveness Program is another federal program
under the Sustainable CAP and helps the industry share information
with producers to build capacity and support the sector. The
Program focuses on funding for sector development and growth,
climate change and the environment, and economic stability.
- Established in 2007, the Canada Organic Trade Association is a
not-for-profit industry association with over 160 members that
represents the entire organic value chain: producers, processors,
distributors, importers, exporters, inspectors, certifiers,
retailers as well as other national advocacy and provincial
producer organizations involved in organic.
- The Prairie Organic Development Fund, established in 2015, is a
national not-for-profit organization that operates an investment
platform created to develop organic agriculture and marketing
across the prairie provinces.
Associated links
- AgriMarketing Program
- AgriCompetitiveness Program
- Regulating organic products in Canada
- Canada Organic Trade Association
- Prairie Organic Development Fund
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SOURCE Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada