Canadians invest $8.3M in organics

Organic agriculture is rooted in innovation! Minister MacAulay met with organic producers in the Shuswap at Wild Flight Farm today to announce important investments. #GrowingCdnAg #CdnAgPartnership pic.twitter.com/PW17m5Er3y

— AAFC Canada (@AAFC_Canada) August 24, 2018

On Aug. 24, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food Lawrence MacAulay announced a federal investment of up to $8.3 million to the Organic Federation of Canada, under the Canadian Agricultural Partnership, AgriScience Clusters.

This research investment, which includes an additional $4.4 million in contributions from industry, will help the organic sector enhance productivity through better soil health and fertility management, advance crop breeding research, improve pest management, and evaluate the environmental impacts of organic farm practices.

Minister MacAulay also announced an additional investment of $292,555 to the Organic Federation of Canada under the federal Canadian Agricultural Adaptation program. The funding will assist industry in streamlining the review process of the Canadian Organic Standards and improve the Canadian organic industry’s competitiveness and international market access. This funding builds upon the $250,000 announced by the Minister on January 26, towards the Canadian General Standards Board to complete the 2020 review of the Canadian Organic Standards.

“Demand for our world-class Canadian organic products continues to grow around the world and our Government is proud to support our organic farmers and food processors so they can meet that demand,” said Lawrence MacAulay, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food. “Today’s significant investment into the science of organic agriculture will help our organic farmers grow more and grow better. And, we are pleased to support the Canadian Organic Standards, which are the backbone of the organic industry.”

Organic Federation of Canada President James Robbins said the investment was greatly appreciated.

“This funding will allow researchers to continue improving the sustainability of agricultural practices, which is at the heart of organic production,” he said.

The announcement is part of Minister MacAulay’s ‘Growing Canadian Agriculture’ tour, where he will meet with farmers, processors and industry leaders, as well as participate in rural agricultural events across the country, to hear ideas on how to capture new growth opportunities for the sector.