"Product of Canada": Farmers Welcome Label Guidelines
CANADA - The Canadian Federation of Agriculture (CFA) has responded enthusiastically to the federal government’s new “Product of Canada” and “Made in Canada” label guidelines. The CFA and its member organizations have been calling for updates to labeling rules for several years. The organization says new guidelines are very much in keeping with farmers’ requests under the CFA’s “Grown in Canada” proposal.
17 June 2008
2 minute read
“Clearly, the federal government has listened to farmers and consumers,” said CFA President Bob Friesen. “We are pleased to see that Prime Minister Stephen Harper and Agriculture and Agri-Food Minister Gerry Ritz are taking action to provide consumers with more accurate information about where their food comes from.”
“Canadian farmers proudly produce food of the highest quality. Our members see this as an opportunity to strengthen the brand of Canadian-grown food,” said Friesen. “We welcome the opportunity to help the government develop and implement an effective promotional campaign to accompany the new guidelines.”
According to a CFA-commissioned study by Meyers Norris Penny released in June 2007, Canadians have high regard for domestically produced food. Between 90 and 95 per cent of those surveyed said they would like to buy Canadian products, and would always buy Canadian products if they were competitively priced. Fifty percent said that they would be willing to pay a premium for Canadian products, and 73 per cent of that 50 per cent said they would be willing to pay a higher premium if part of that premium would accrue back to the farm gate.
“This announcement is a fine example of the progress that can be achieved by farm groups communicating with governments on policy recommendations,” adds Friesen.
“Canadian farmers proudly produce food of the highest quality. Our members see this as an opportunity to strengthen the brand of Canadian-grown food,” said Friesen. “We welcome the opportunity to help the government develop and implement an effective promotional campaign to accompany the new guidelines.”
According to a CFA-commissioned study by Meyers Norris Penny released in June 2007, Canadians have high regard for domestically produced food. Between 90 and 95 per cent of those surveyed said they would like to buy Canadian products, and would always buy Canadian products if they were competitively priced. Fifty percent said that they would be willing to pay a premium for Canadian products, and 73 per cent of that 50 per cent said they would be willing to pay a higher premium if part of that premium would accrue back to the farm gate.
“This announcement is a fine example of the progress that can be achieved by farm groups communicating with governments on policy recommendations,” adds Friesen.
