Levies on Organic Commodities

Levies on Organic Commodities

Let us know if you're interested in SaskOrganics pursuing conversations with the development commissions and boards to bring these levies under the control of the SaskOrganics board and membership.
About Development Commissions and Boards

All producers in Saskatchewan pay a levy on the sale of their crops - wheat, oats, rye barley, flax, and pulses - to fund a development commission or board. Most levies are mandatory but refundable, with the exception of SaskPulse which has a non-refundable levy.

Development commissions are created through provincial legislation and must use the levy to fund research and market development. Market development includes promoting the use of that commodity and the quality of Saskatchewan grown products to consumers at home and abroad.

Levies and Organic Products

Currently, development commissions do not track the amount that they collect from organic certified producers, and are not mandated to support research and development into organic research or marketing. Many commissions do fund organic-specific research projects and projects relevant to organics, and the levies are important to ensure research continues.

We support levy collection and the research and marketing efforts these levies make possible.

SaskOrganics believes that a levy on organic producers should be used for research and marketing that fully supports organics. Levies on organics should not be used for research that runs counter to organic standards, including into gene editing or genetic engineering.

Tell us your thoughts!

Voluntary Organic Levy

We have worked with organic grain buyers to set up a voluntary checkoff that they generously administer on our behalf. The checkoff helps fund our work, including knowledge exchange, reviewing research proposals, and participating in the organic standards review process.
Full Name

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Do you support changes to the current levy system to put levies on organic commodities under SaskOrganic's control?

Yes - there should be legislation to collect a separate mandatory levy on organic commodities operated by SaskOrganics or an affiliateYes - SaskOrganic's should control levies already collected from organic producersby existing commissionsNo - the levy structure should stay as is but the amount collected on organic commodities should be trackedNo - I prefer the status quoNo – I don’t see the benefit in levies and I request refunds on the ones that arerefundableNot sure - I need more information
What commodity do you most frequently grow for sale? (select 2)

WheatOatsFlaxMustardBarleyPulsesOther
Please let us know if you want additional information on any of the following:

SaskOrganics Voluntary LevyDevelopment Boards and CommissionsInformation collected by boards and commissionsHow levies are usedHow SaskOrganics would use a levy on organic commodities
Do you agree to the use of your name to show industry support for a levy change?

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Do you have any other comments or questions?
Reminders: By submitting this form, you agree that the information provided is accurate and truthful to the best of your knowledge. Please provide as relevant and accurate information as possible.
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