The Canada Organic Trade Association (COTA) was busy this month advocating for organic at the national level, and also travelling internationally to learn from others' successes. As a COTA member, ACORN supports (and appreciates!) their work to grow and strengthen organics in Canada! Some highlights:
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On May 2, COTA presented at the House of Commons Agriculture Committee’s study on “Issues Relating to the Horticulture Sector” and used the opportunity to draw attention to: innovations from the organic sector that could be adopted for greater climate resilience; Canada’s lack of a policy framework for organic agriculture; and our national Organic Action Plan. Read the highlights here.
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On May 8, the petition (e-4909) calling for bold policies and strategic investments to propel the organic sector forward was tabled in Parliament. Read the press release, watch the petition being presented in the House, and watch COTA ED Tia Loftsgard and MP MacGregor reflect on the petition.
On May 14 - 16, COTA staff attended the Organic Trade Association’s (OTA) Organic Week in Washington. With the US organic market reaching nearly 70 billion USD in 2023 and the historic investments in the sector by the USDA, it was an opportunity to be inspired and learn from their organic successes. Read about their key takeaways here.