Originally published on May 8, 2024 on Canada Organic Trade Association
COTA was invited to present last Thursday May 2 at the House of Commons Agriculture Committee’s study on “Issues relating to the horticulture sector”. The study is investigating issues relating to the horticulture sector, insurance programs and federal assistance granted, as well as possible solutions for greater climate resistance.
Tia Loftsgard, COTA’s executive director, and Gillian Flies, owner-operator of The New Farm, Executive Director of The New Farm Centre for Climate Action and board member of the Canadian Organic Growers (COG), 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
- our national Organic Action Plan.
There was great interest from committee members, and many follow up questions about organic agriculture and additional supports needed for the sector. COTA continues to work closely with the Canadian Organic Alliance (COTA, COG, Organic Federation of Canada) to ensure that the needs of the organic sector are raised with elected officials and government staff.