Organic Labelling for Aquaculture Products Reconciliation Agreement (2018)

Whereas the Governments of Canada, Ontario, Quebec, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick. Manitoba, British Columbia, Prince Edward Island, Saskatchewan, Alberta, Newfoundland and Labrador, the Northwest Territories, Yukon, and Nunavut resolve to:

• PROMOTE an open, efficient, and stable domestic market for long-term job creation, economic growth, and stability;
• REDUCE AND ELIMINATE, to the extent possible, barriers to the free movement of persons, goods, services, and investments within Canada;

Recognizing that under the Canadian Agricultural Products Act, aquaculture products are not considered agricultural products;

Also recognizing that under the Organic Products Regulations, 2009, only agricultural products may be certified as organic, and that only certified organic products may apply the Canada Organic Logo to their labels;

Acknowledging that the inability to apply the Canada Organic Logo to their products may impede market access opportunities for organic products for Canadian aquaculture producers, and represents a barrier to the trade aquaculture products that may otherwise be considered organic;

Noting that Canadian General Standards Board finalized the Organic production systems: Aquaculture – General principles, management standards and permitted substances lists (CAN/CGSB32.312-2018) in February 2018;

Acknowledging that the proposed Safe Food for Canadians Regulations modernize Canada’s food safety regulatory regime;

The Government of Canada commits to reconciling organic labelling requirements for aquaculture products with those for agricultural products as follows.