Government of Canada invests nearly $1.3 million in Canadian organic industry

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada News Release

Linking Organic Research Needs, Results and Canadians Who Benefit

OACC Acceptance Speech – Dec. 3, 2007
By Dr. Andrew Hammermeister, Manager, Organic Agriculture Centre of Canada

On behalf of the Organic Agriculture Centre of Canada, and its Founding Director Dr. Ralph Martin, I would like to express our sincere gratitude for this ongoing support provided by AAFC.

With organic sales exceeding $1 billion, we have entered a time of unprecedented interest and cooperation among all stakeholders in organic agriculture.

Organic provides many positive outcomes for the agri-food sector. It is a clearly defined production system based on working in harmony with the environment.

It is innovative and competitive in its marketing, allowing it to capture high-value niche markets.

It promotes sound business risk management by working in harmony with the environment and minimizing use of inputs.

And most importantly, organic links with social values by reducing environmental risk, providing environmental goods and services, and emphasizing humane treatment of livestock.

The goal of the OACC is to support the development of these positive outcomes. We will do this by Linking Organic Knowledge. That is, by connecting the needs of producers and values of consumers with the science of organic.

With this funding the OACC will facilitate national networking by hosting extension and research symposia across Canada. We will support the development of research priorities by working through the Expert Committee on Organic Agriculture. And we will produce a current inventory of researchers conducting organic-related work in Canada.

With this funding the OACC will lead the scientific community in meeting the needs of organic stakeholders. We will work closely with provincial extension specialists to develop resources for producers and consumers.

All of these resources will be prominently featured on our bilingual website, www.oacc.info and in our free monthly electronic newsletter.

Organic exists only through the dedication of crop and livestock producers and the purchasing commitments of consumers. We endeavor to support these producers and consumers by linking them to sound science.

Again, I thank the AAFC for this important and timely contribution, and the NSAC administration and staff for its ongoing support. THANK YOU!

 

Posted December 2007