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VICTORIA
– The Ministry of Agriculture and
Lands is providing a grant of $225,000 to the Certified Organic Associations of
B.C. (COABC) that will further strengthen British Columbia’s position as
Canada’s leader in organic products, Minister of Agriculture and Lands Pat Bell
announced today.
The
grant will also fund the continuation of the COABC’s Organic Extension Agent,
(OEA) who will provide information and resources to B.C. organic farmers,
processors and handlers.
“British Columbia plays a very important role in the
organic industry and it is our intent to ensure that British Columbians have a
choice at the store, market or farmer’s gate,” said Bell. “Our province is the
leader in Canada’s organic farming industry, and this grant will help more
British Columbia producers to become certified organic and provide even more
options for consumers.”
This funding allows the OEA position to
continue for another two years. Reporting to the COABC president and supported
by an advisory committee, the OEA works with the Province and other appropriate
educational and research organizations to ensure the informational needs of the
B.C. organic sector are fulfilled.
“I look forward to
continuing with the COABC in the role of the Organic Extension Agent” said
current OEA Rochelle Eisen. “Through this position, the COABC will provide
support to organic farming in B.C. to ensure that it adheres to the principles
of sustainable food production and helps to fulfill the Province’s mission to
successfully supply markets with locally-grown, healthy food.”
“We are
extremely pleased to receive this grant as it will allow us to continue the
Organic Extension Agent position and assist many organic, prospective and
conventional producers,” said Peter Johnston, president of the COABC.
“Moreover, two-year funding will allow our OEA to perform long-term planning
and work, while helping to increase the capacity of the organic farming and
processing sectors, which in turn will help B.C. producers fill the increasing
demand for certified organic food.”
The COABC was formed in 1993 to administer
the B.C. Certified Organic Program and oversee an accreditation system. It has
also had a lead role in developing new national standards for organic
producers.
B.C. is Canada’s leader in organic production, according
to the recently-released 2006 Statistics Canada Census on Agriculture. B.C.
organic farms account for 16.3 per cent of all farms in the province, compared
to the national average of 6.8 per cent. The
organic sector exemplifies the goals of the B.C. Agriculture Plan.
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contact: |
Communications Director Ministry of Agriculture and Lands 250 356-2862 250 213-3072 (cell) |
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For more information on government services or to subscribe to the Province’s news feeds using RSS, visit the Province’s website at www.gov.bc.ca. |
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