(NORTH BAY, ON) North Bay's Katie Fettes, Canadian Organic Growers (COG) Director of Policy and Research (right), recently met with MP Pauline Rochefort to discuss the economic benefits of organic farming and rural development.
"It was informative to hear her explain how organic farming can not only meet consumer demand for healthy, high-quality food but at the same time strengthen Canada’s economy and deliver environmental benefits," said MP Rochefort who is also Parliamentary Secretary to the Secretary of State of Rural Development.
A new report from the COG Organic Task Force shows organic farming is a powerful tool to boost farm profitability, meet rising domestic and global demand, diversify trade, and advance Canada’s climate and biodiversity goals.
Canada's key competitors have identified the economic potential of organic farming. The US now invests eight times more per acre into its organic sector than Canada, while the EU invests 200 times more. Tripling organic acreage in Canada could unlock $1.73 billion for Canadian farmers over 10 years, according to the COG.
BACKGROUNDER
Canadian Organic Growers plan to capitalize on organic opportunity