June 24 2026

The Ontario Fruit and Vegetable Growers' Association (OFVGA) welcomes the passing of Bill C-30 as an important step toward strengthening Canada's food security and helping growers protect the crops Canadians rely on.

Bill C-30 broadens the mandate of Health Canada and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency to consider the impact of their decisions on Canada's food supply and agricultural competitiveness.

Protecting crops means protecting food: For fruit and vegetable growers, protecting crops means protecting food. Access to effective crop protection tools helps farmers manage insects, diseases and weeds that can otherwise destroy crops and reduce the supply of fresh Canadian produce.

Safety standards remain unchanged: This legislation is not about lowering safety standards - it's about recognizing that food security also matters. Canada's health and environmental protections remain fully in place, and protection of human health and the environment remains paramount. When growers lose access to the tools they need to protect crops against pests and diseases, there can be consequences for food production, food availability and food prices – government should understand these impacts.

"Ontario’s fruit and vegetable growers can't produce food if they can't protect their crops against pests and diseases. Similarly, Ontario growers need a level playing field to compete with global imports – including on crop protection, " says Matt Sheppard, Chair of the OFVGA Crop Protection Committee. "Bill C-30 is important because it recognizes that food security matters. It maintains Canada's strong safety standards for the environment and human health while helping ensure growers have access to the tools they need to manage pests, reduce crop losses and continue supplying Canadians with high-quality fruits and vegetables."

The OFVGA looks forward to working with government on implementation to ensure Ontario fruit and vegetable growers have timely access to the tools they need to continue producing the safe, high-quality food Canadians expect.