Canada and the United Kingdom (UK) have reached an arrangement for trade of organic food. The United Kingdom - Canada Organic Equivalence Arrangement came into effect on January 1, 2021.
The arrangement allows organic products certified under the Canada Organic Regime or the UK organic system to be sold and labelled as organic in Canada and the UK. It applies to agricultural and processed products of plant origin, livestock and livestock products grown or produced within either country or whose final processing or packaging occurs within either country.
In 2020, Canada exported approximately $9.3 million of certified organic products to the UK. The new arrangement, which is based on the existing Canada - European Union arrangement, ensures the continued market access for organic products between Canada and the UK.
Organic equivalency arrangements are part of the Government of Canada's ongoing commitment to eliminate trade barriers and increase consumer access to a variety of organic foods that meet Canada's high organic standards.
