NEWS RELEASE

March 24, 2000                                                                                                      For Immediate Release

ORGANIC FARMERS BEWARE - THE GOVERNMENT WANTS TO CONTROL YOU TOO!

"Organic farmers could soon be controlled by a government-supported monopoly"

 

Ottawa - Garry Breitkreuz, Official Opposition Agriculture Critic and MP for Yorkton - Melville, has learned of plans by a government-supported agency to control the organic certifying industry in Canada. "This should be a huge concern not only to those involved in the organic food industry, but also to the Canadian public. Right now we have a thriving organic foods industry that regulates itself and provides its customers with the highest quality natural foods. This could all change if the government gets its way and allows the Canadian Organic Advisory Board (COAB) to become the only national certifier of organic foods in Canada," Breitkreuz stated.

Currently, there are 45 private organic certifying bodies in Canada that farmers and processors use. The regulations are stringent and if producers' or processors' expectations are not met, they have the option to go to a different certifier that meets their needs. "The organic industry works so well because it was developed from the ground up. They make sure their customers get the best possible product. By introducing a single national organic certifier, COAB, you eliminate the competition that has made the industry what it is today," said Breitkreuz.

Of greater concern to Breitkreuz is the federal government funding to help COAB become the only national organic certifying body. "COAB has already received money from Industry Canada to help them become the only national certifier. We also know they have met with other government agencies such as Agriculture and Agri-food Canada to receive other funding. This is despicable. The government is using taxpayers dollars to support an agency that will have greater authority than the other 45 private certifying bodies. This will have a serious negative impact on the organic industry. I wonder if the government is ready to compensate the private organic certifying bodies for driving them out of business?" questioned Breitkreuz.

This coming weekend (March 26 & 27), the organic industry is meeting in Aylmer, Quebec, to discuss its future. "There is great concern among many people in organic growing and processing that creating this single national certifier will be a step backwards. In this time of declining farm incomes, this industry continues to thrive because they have created a niche market for their product. That market is growing and I would hate to see this industry hurt because the government wants to have one single controlling body. We already have an agency like that in Western Canada and we know the problems the Canadian Wheat Board has caused, due to the lack of competition, for conventional farmers. I don't want to see the same thing happen here," declared Breitkreuz.

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For more information please call:

Yorkton: 1-800-667-6606

Ottawa: (613) 992-4394

E-mail: breitg2@sk.sympatico.ca