New Provincial Organic Agricultural Council

An organic agricultural council is being formed in Nova Scotia.

It is tentatively called the Nova Scotia Organic Council and will work with the Organic Federation of Canada/Fédération biologique du Canada, a not-for-profit organization that was formed by the federal government, to address issues in the industry on standards and regulations.

A steering committee was formed to set up the Nova Scotia Organic Council at a Jan. 22 meeting of organic agricultural industry leaders, hosted in Bible Hill by the Industry Development and Business Services Branch of the Department of Agriculture.

Agriculture Minister Brooke Taylor commended the organic sector in Nova Scotia for showing leadership by working together to create this new organization.

"Organic agriculture is an important component of the future growth of agriculture in the province."

The Organic Federation of Canada has secured federal funding of $27,000 for the development of the provincial council.

Angela Patterson, a certified organic grower from Canning, Kings Co., is a member of a steering committee that will oversee the development of the new council. Ms. Patterson is also president of the Nova Scotia Organic Growers Association, the certifying body that was instrumental in the development of the new council.

Ms. Patterson said, "This new group will represent the entire organic sector - producers, handlers, processors, input manufacturers, importers, exporters, retailers, certification bodies, provincial government - as required by the Organic Federation of Canada/Fédération biologique du Canada."

Ms. Patterson expressed appreciation for the Department of Agriculture's solid support and continued partnership in the development of the Nova Scotia Organic Council.