Senator Harkin on Organic Equivalency Agreement With Canada

Harmonization of Organic Standards Between the Two Countries Will Boost U.S. Producers' Access to $2.6 Billion Canadian Market

June 17, 2009 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA), Chairman of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry, released the following statement today applauding an announcement made by Deputy Secretary of Agriculture Kathleen Merrigan regarding a new agreement reached between the United States and Canada that will expand opportunities for organic farmers in both countries.

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“I congratulate the Secretary and Deputy Secretary on this historic trade agreement with Canada. This welcome news represents a bright spot in our economic landscape that could not come at a better time for farmers in the midst of a deep recession. Canadian consumers are demanding organic products to the tune of $2.6 billion, and this agreement will make it easier for U.S. organic farmers to market their products.

“I am pleased that in the new Administration, USDA is leading the way to promote the opportunity for the full breadth and variety of U.S. agriculture. Organic agriculture has been one of the fastest growing segments of American agriculture over the past decade, and this new agreement, in conjunction with the tremendous investment that Congress made in the Food, Conservation and Energy Act of 2008, the farm bill, into initiatives to help organic farmers, will help to continue that growth.”

Source: Senator Tom Harkin