Canada and UK reach arrangement to trade organic food

The Canadian and UK Governments have reached an agreement that ensures the continued market access for organic products between the two countries.

The UK-Canada Organic Equivalence Arrangement (UKCOEA) agreement came into effect on 1 January.

The two countries have agreed to recognise each other’s organic production rules and control systems as equivalent under their respective rules.

Organic equivalency arrangement is part of the Canadian Government’s plan to eliminate trade barriers and increase consumer access to a variety of organic foods that meet the country’s organic standards.

The new arrangement will be applicable to agricultural and processed products of plant origin, as well as livestock and livestock products grown or produced in either of two countries or that have been finally processed or packed within the UK or Canada.

Organic food products certified by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) Canada Organic Regime or the UK organic system will be sold and labelled as organic in Canada and the UK.

The new recognition from Canadian agencies will eliminate the need for the UK organic agricultural products to have a separate certification to the Canadian standards and vice-versa.

Aquaculture organic products, except for seaweed products, are not included in the scope of the UKCOEA arrangement.

Last year, Canada said to have exported certified organic products worth approximately C$9.3m ($7.2m) to the UK.

The new arrangement between the two nations is said to be based on the existing Canada – European Union arrangement, which focuses on seamless market access for organic products between Canada and the UK.