Canadian organic growers obtain direct access to European market Tuesday, July 5, 2011 by SUSAN MANNA Canadian-European Union arrangement to recognize each other’s organic standards and laws will increase trade and boost Canada’s organic sector, says a spokesman for an organic trade association.The Canada and European Union Equivalency Arrangement was completed recently after nearly four years of formal negotiations. Matthew Holmes, executive director of the Canada Organic Trade Association, says it is effective immediately. The arrangement will allow the import and export of certified organic products between Canada and the European Union without the need for additional certification.“We think it’s really important,” Holmes says. “For producers, food manufacturers and handlers, this really is a significant market access move on the part of the Canadian government that improves the lot for Canadian agriculture.”Holmes notes the arrangement gives Canadians farmers and processors direct access to a very quickly growing and very lucrative organic market in Europe. It also means “we can sell to buyers in Europe directly now whereas before organic products from Canada had to go through only limited importers who were certified and approved to bring in product.” Canadian exporters were also subject to onerous paperwork to take their products in to European markets.The arrangement also enables Canadian manufacturers and farmers to only have to get organic certification in this country with standards overseen by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) rather than having to also meet different certification standards from the European Union.Holmes says the Canadian-European Union arrangement is the second agreement of this type. In 2009, the CFIA and the United States Department of Agriculture signed the first organic equivalency arrangement, which opened the significant U.S. organic market to Canadian exports. Canada is the only country in the world able to deal directly with these two key markets through domestic standards.Currently Canadian companies annually export more than $390 million worth of organic commodities, ingredients and products to the United States, European Union and other parts of the world.Certified organic products can now carry the Canadian and/or European Union organic logo. BF Wind and solar projects announced Pilot to examine seed crop inspection delivery
22 young leaders graduate from Rural Ontario Institute’s Change Makers Program Thursday, October 16, 2025 The Rural Ontario Institute () has marked a milestone in rural leadership development with the graduation of 22 participants from its () program. The private ceremony, held this October, celebrated a year of learning, collaboration, and community impact. “We are excited to... Read this article online
Massey Ferguson DM Series Triple Mower Overview Thursday, October 16, 2025 Massey Ferguson continues to lead the way in hay and forage innovation with its DM Series Triple Mower, a machine designed to maximize efficiency, reduce downtime, and deliver outstanding cutting performance for farmers of all sizes. With an overall working width of 32 feet, including... Read this article online
Gleaner T Series Combine Updates Wednesday, October 15, 2025 Gleaner continues to advance harvest technology with its new T Series combine, delivering major improvements in power, reliability, and ease of operation. Designed with the farmer in mind, the T Series focuses on performance, accessibility, and cutting-edge precision tools for... Read this article online
New MacDon FD2 Plus Draper Header Wednesday, October 15, 2025 Case IH continues to expand its innovative harvest equipment lineup with the launch of the MacDon FD2 Plus Draper Header, a new series designed to provide farmers with smoother, cleaner, and more efficient harvesting. Available in multiple widths — 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, and even 61... Read this article online
New Holland IntelliSense Tech Elevates Crop Efficiency Tuesday, October 14, 2025 The IntelliSense system features a forward-looking sensor mounted at the cab’s center line, allowing the sprayer to assess crop quality up to 50 feet ahead. It operates in two main modes: variable rate application and spot spraying. In variable rate mode, the system uses sunlight... Read this article online