The OFC took an interest in monitoring and participating in the development of the national organic standards by the Canadian General Standards Board, which was mandated by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada to manage this initiative. OFC members have actively participated in the numerous committees and working groups that developed Canada’s organic standards.
The organic production regulations, standards and various supporting documents are as follows:
- Organic Products Regulations [+]
- Organic Production Systems – General Principles and Management Standards [+] (National Standard of Canada for Organic Agriculture)
- Organic Production Systems – Permitted Substances Lists [+]
- Quality Management Manuals
- Canada Organic Logo[+]
Canada's large and varied land base, combined with its cooler climate, make it an ideal country for producing organic food. The sector is diversifying and expanding into new markets while achieving double digit annual growth in production and retail sales over the past decade.
This growth rate is expected to increase even faster in coming years as the organic sector in Canada becomes more organized, trade impediments are reduced or eliminated, and consumer confidence and demand are elevated with the implementation of mandatory certification to minimum standards.
— Mike Leclair
Senior Market Development Advisor, Organic Sector
Sectoral Food Industry Services Division
Markets and Trade Team
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada