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The Organic Trade Association (OTA) has urged the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to begin negotiations with Canadian officials to establish trade equivalency agreements concerning the sales of organic products between the two countries.

"Bilateral trade is important to both the United States and Canadian organic products market," said Caren Wilcox, OTA's Executive Director. OTA met with USDA officials on Tuesday, Aug. 28, and delivered a letter urging action on negotiations.

To date, U.S. organic producers have enjoyed unrestricted trade into Canadian markets while Canadian products in compliance with U.S. organic regulations, have had full access to the U.S. market. However, the Canadian Organic Products Regulation, which will be fully implemented in December 2008, requires that agreements be made to ensure that the markets remain open.

"Taking action now to prevent trade disruptions in December will go a long way to ensuring that shoppers in the United States and Canada continue to find the organic products they want on the shelves," Wilcox said.
Additionally, the publishing of the Canadian Organic Products Regulation provides a unique opportunity for the United States and Canada to lead the world in reaching equivalency on organic standards, Wilcox added.

The market for organic goods in Canada and the United States is growing between 15 and 20 percent annually.

The Organic Trade Association (OTA) is the membership-based business association for organic agriculture and products in North America. Its 1,600 members include growers, shippers, processors, certifiers, farmers' associations, distributors, importers, exporters, consultants, retailers and others. OTA's mission is to promote and protect the growth of organic trade to benefit the environment, farmers, the public and the economy.

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