Your investment in the COTA 2015 Annual Fund supports critical programs essential to the growth of the organic sector. COTA has been at the forefront in protecting the organic standardsand is ready to lead the organic sector through the upcomingregulatory changes.

Organic is positioned for success2014 marked a major milestone for COTA reaching new heights in consumer campaigns, market research and international

agreements. COTA has it covered—with headquarters in Ottawa, our team advocates on your behalf every day with

Canadian consumers, policymakers and the media.

COTA’s promotion of organic has reached new heightsCOTA turned up its media relations activities in 2014, engaging with news outlets across all communications platforms. COTA

expanded its consumer marketing campaign - Organic Week - and launched the Think Before You Eat brand campaign to

increase consumer understanding of the benefits of choosing

organic and strengthen the value of the organic label.

COTA leads on regulatory changes

COTA expands Canadian organic export opportunities

CANADA ORGANIC TRADE ASSOCIATION 2015 ANNUAL FUND

GET BEHIND COTA AND SUPPORT THE GROWTH OF ORGANIC IN CANADA

COTA is actively engaged in lobbying on important issues, such as

farmers’ right to save seeds, regulatory modernization, recognition

of organic systems, and better government support for farmers

transitioning to organic. COTA will lead the organic sector in 2015 to

vigorously defend our interests as the Organic Product Regulations

are rolled into new omnibus legislation.

COTA has been the champion of increased market access through organic equivalency agreements. In 2014 another

landmark was reached with the Canada-Japan Organic Equivalency Agreement, the first Canadian organic equivalency

to make access into the Asian market easier for Canadian producers. There is more ahead. COTA continues to provide

CFIA with technical advice for equivalency

negotiations currently underway with numerous

countries around the world.

OUR 2015 ANNUAL FUND GOAL IS $110,000

Please review the enclosed Investor Levels and return thePledge Form to make your commitment. Together, we can continue to make a difference for the Canadianorganic community and for our planet. Contact: Henry Chen, Campaigns & Marketing Manager, email: hchen@ota.com, 1145 Carling Avenue, Suite 7519 Ottawa, ON K1Z 7K4.

WHY INVEST IN THE COTA 2015 ANNUAL FUND? After membershipdues, the Annual Fund is the single largest source of income for COTA. Your

The Annual Fund supports COTA’s key initiatives and enables COTA to lead the organic conversation on your behalf through government relations, research, consumer education, and media outreach.

First-time donors receive 6 months of free membership—a unique opportunity to tap into industry news, resources and our trade directory. We deliver personalized advice, information, discounts, networking and great opportunities for growth.

THE MISSION OF THE CANADA ORGANIC TRADE ASSOCIATION IS TO PROMOTE AND PROTECT THE GROWTHOF ORGANIC TRADE TO BENEFIT FARMERS, THE ENVIRONMENT, THE ECONOMY AND THE PUBLIC. COTAENVISIONS ORGANIC PRODUCTS BECOMING A SIGNIFICANT PART OF EVERYDAY LIFE, SUPPORTING HEALTHYLIFESTYLES AND A HEALTHY ENVIRONMENT. WWW.OTA-CANADA.CA

COTA is focused on being the single-most effective and influential organization for organic in the country. Our members and board represent the full organic value-chain, allowing us to work effectively across the sector. As momentum and market demand continue to build, strong leadership is needed to address production challenges, deliver better data and research, and provide a strong voice to ensure government policy and regulation support rather than hinder our sector. With your support, COTA can continue to address the challenges ahead and bring the Canadian organic sector to a new level of success.

support is critical to COTA’s success in promoting and protecting the Canadian organic sector.