GUELPH, Ontario – Agriculture and Agri-Food Minister Lawrence MacAulay said the Canadian government will provide the necessary funds associated with the 2020 Canadian Organic Standards Review which certifies that production methods reflect current practices used by the organic products industry.

The Canadian government will invest up to $250,000 over the next three years to cover costs associated with the review. Additionally, $72,500 will go to the Canadian Organic Growers to develop a user-friendly guide to the Organic Standards Review.

“Canadian organic farmers and food processors are producing a quality product that consumers in Canada and around the world demand,” MacAulay said in a statement. “Our government is pleased to work closely with this important sector, so that together we can help reach our government’s goal of $75 billion in exports by 2025, while supporting well-paying middle-class jobs. Finding a solution to updating the Canadian Organic Standards is a key part of that, since they ensure our organics are recognized internationally for their quality.”

In Canada, annual retail sales of certified organic products are approximately $5.4 billion. The 2016 Census of Agriculture shows that approximately 4,289 certified organic and transitional producers are working on more than 930,000 hectares of land in Canada.

“As Canada presently holds a leadership position on organics on the world stage, the export opportunities for organic were at risk if the funding had not come through,” said Tia Loftsgard, executive director, Canada Organic Trade Association. “We are pleased to work in partnership with the Canadian government to continue to grow the domestic and export opportunities for the Canadian organic industry and meet increasing consumer demand for organic products.”