Bulk of Canada's organics hay, oilseed

OTTAWA, March 28 (UPI) -- The majority of organic food grown in Canada is hay and oilseed and the majority of all of it is exported, Statistics Canada reported Friday.

In a study of the evolution of organic farming from 2001-06, the agency found 2,462 farming operations reported growing certified organic field crops and hay, nearly half of them in the province of Saskatchewan.

Without specifying a percentage, the agency said many of the organic field crops were sold internationally and not processed, sold or eaten in Canada.

The report said domestic sales of certified organic products accounted for less than 1 percent of the $46.5 billion spent in Canadian grocery stores in 2006.

Canada's national organic standards established in 1999 are voluntary but new federal regulations are scheduled to take effect on Dec. 14 and organic products marketed inter-provincially or internationally will then have to be certified by a body accredited by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency.