ROBUST CANADIAN ORGANICS
Re: Organic sector gets funding, by Sean Pratt (WP, Aug. 21)
While Mischa Popoff speaks negatively about Canadian organics, the fact is that Canada’s organic industry has tripled over the past eight years to $3 billion annually. That’s good for Canada’s economy and that’s why our government announced an in-vestment of $8 million in the new Organic Science Cluster.
This new cluster is industry-led and focused on producers, who have helped contribute $2.36 million in matching funds.
If Mr. Popoff cared for the facts, he would know that the lion’s share of the funds will be targeted directly to helping producers meet production challenges — some 200 scientists and 65 industry partners researching better field crop, horticulture, and greenhouse varieties and production techniques, livestock health and welfare, weed and pest management and storage.
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Worrisome drop in grain prices
Prices had been softening for most of the previous month, but heading into the Labour Day long weekend, the price drops were startling.
This is spelled out in the funding agreement between Agriculture Canada and the proponents. Producers also have a strong voice in charting the future of their industry through the Organic Value Chain Roundtable.
Canada’s organic certification process remains respected around the world. If non-permitted substances are found in organic products, the CFIA-accredited certification body takes action.
The certification body visits the organic farm every year to ensure that organic producers are conducting their operations according to the Canada Organic standard.
Because of our strict, robust organics regime, Canada has equivalency agreements with both the U.S.A. and the European Union.
The vast majority of Canadian products meet Canada’s strict standard for maximum residue limits, as verified by our chemical residue monitoring program.
If any food product does not meet Canadian regulatory requirements, CFIA inspectors take action, which may range from requiring re-labelling of products, to pulling products from shelves, or prosecution.
Our government remains committed to fostering growth in the Canadian organics sector while enforcing strict food safety standards for Canadians. We will continue to support a strong organics sector as part of a strong Canadian economy.
Gerry Ritz, Agriculture minister,
Ottawa, Ont.
REPORT BULLYING
I feel obliged to report bullying. In recent years, schools in Canada have adopted anti-bullying policies. Students are encouraged to report bullying that they witness.
Canada’s agriculture minister is setting a very poor example to all students in Canada when his letter to the editor publicly belittles a Canadian citizen who has criticized a conservative government policy.
Minister Gerry Ritz’s letter (WP July 31) wrote that Eric Sagan is “stuck in the past” when he objected to being denied a farmer vote on the destruction of the Canadian Wheat Board single desk.
Rather than being “stuck in the past,” Mr. Sagan demonstrates a concern for the future of our democracy. He is holding our government accountable and he has my respect for speaking out.
It is alarming to see a Canadian citizen being publicly rebuffed by a member of Parliament. History has shown that when citizens are afraid to speak out, democracies can morph into fascist dictatorships. Gerry Ritz should listen to the voters, not scold them.
Donn Dutchak,
Rama, Sask.
COOL OPPORTUNITY
News about COOL (country-of-origin labelling) and large packing plants in the U.S. closing should be an opportunity for Canada to expand the meat industry here. It could create more jobs here and we could even hire full-time experienced employees from U.S. plants that have been closed.
All the beef and meat products we export could be labelled Product of Canada.
We have one of the best meat industries in the world so why not put our label on it.
Graham Parsons,
Lacombe, Alta.
