The Canadian organic industry is one of Canada's fastest growing agricultural sectors, thanks to Canada's hardworking organic farmers and food processors who are respected around the world for supplying nutritious, sustainable, and high-quality organic products. Growing the Canadian organic sector, which had more than $5.4 billion in retail sales in 2017, will contribute to our government's ambitious goal of reaching $75 billion in annual agri-food exports by 2025.
Speaking last month at the Guelph Organic Conference and Tradeshow, Agriculture and Agri-Food Minister Lawrence MacAulay announced that the Government of Canada is providing essential support to update the Canadian Organic Standards.
The Government of Canada will provide the Canadian General Standards Board (CGSB) with the necessary funds to cover costs associated with the 2020 Canadian Organic Standards review. The review is done every five years to ensure that production methodologies reflect current practices and technological advances being used by the organic industry. Recognized product standards are a key factor in the facilitation of international trade, and officials from Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada will continue working with the sector to further support its sustainability and growth.
Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food Jean-Claude Poissant said, “Our farmers and processors are responding more and more to the growing demand from consumers in Canada and around the world for high-quality organic products. Updating the Canadian Organics Standards is important since they ensure our organic products are recognized in Canada and around the world. The government is proud to support this rapidly expanding sector, which is helping reach our goal of $75 billion in agri-food exports by 2025 and access to good-paying jobs for middle class families.”
Source: https://www.canada.ca/
