www.ofa.org.au

A current version of the nomination form can be found at the end of this newsletter. The nomination form, proxy form and the new constitution will posted on our website soon. All financial members are encouraged to participate in this event. www.ofa.org.au

Industry Roundtable
The reports from the May 11 Industry Roundtable will be presented for consideration at a second Round Table in July 29 2005, coinciding with the formation and AGM of the restructured OFA. Everbody is most welcome to attend this meeting.

Organic Expo Cocktail Party July 29
The minister with the responsibility for organics Senator Hon. Richard Colbeck, the Parliamentary Secretary for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry will launch the restructured OFA and open the Organic Expo at a cocktail party on the evening of July 29. www.organicexpo.com.au

EMS
The OFA received a grant of $50,000 from the Federal Government to develop the pathways towards an Environmental Management System (EMS). We propose that this would be best spent on conducting a comparison of the environmental outcomes of organic certification programs against those of an EMS and identify any gaps in the programs.

The object would be to incorporate an EMS into our current certification system so that all organic farmers would have an Environmental Management System.

The advantage of this would mean that there would not be major additional requirements for certified producers as it would really be aligning our current practices with our governments and community’s current environmental management expectations. It would mean that we could effectively demonstrate that organic production systems are environmentally sustainable.

Industry Funding Itself
The OFA has held preliminary talks with both RIRDC and Horticulture Australian Limited (HAL) on the possibility of an Industry Levy to fund Research and Development and Promotion of the organic industry. The details of the benefits of industry having its own source of funding will be presented at the Industry Roundtable and in the August Organic Update.

Best Regards
Andre Leu
Chair

Massive Demand for Organic Milk Outstrips Supply
Consumer demand for organic dairy products in the U.S. now exceeds the supply by at least 15%. As an example, Organic Valley Coop, the second largest organic dairy company in the U.S., experienced a 36% growth in sales in 2004, but says it would be growing even faster if it wasn't for supply limitations. There simply are not enough organic dairy farmers. While the USDA gives out $25 billion a year in taxpayers money for crop subsidies to large farms engaged in chemical intensive agriculture and genetic engineering, family farmers wishing to make the transition to organic get nothing. Bruce Ellis, CEO of Wisconsin Organics, says the shortage of organic milk has severely limited his company's growth. If more conventional dairy farmers converted to organic, Ellis says his company could "certainly grow several hundred times." http://www.organicconsumers.org/organic/cheese052705.cfm

Pediatricians Recommend Organic Milk
According to Dr. Alan Greene, one of the USA’s leading pediatricians, children should drink organic milk. Dr. Greene gives seven reasons for his strong organic dairy dietary recommendation:
1) Produced without antibiotics
2) Produced without synthetic hormones
3) Produced without harmful pesticides
4) Higher levels of calcium per glass
5) Higher levels Conjugated Linoleic Acids (good fats)
6) No harmful additives like corn syrup, aspartame or synthetic dyes.
7) More humane animal treatment.
http://www.organicconsumers.org/organic/seven052505.cfm

US States Debate Restrictions on School Junk Food
In an effort to address the childhood obesity epidemic, 17 states in the US are debating laws that would limit or ban junk foods in schools. The most far reaching law under consideration is in Connecticut. Lawmakers voted 88-55 to ban junk food and soda from school lunches and vending machines and require 20 minutes of physical activity outside of gym. http://www.organicconsumers.org/school/CT052405.cfm

Scientific Advisory Board Finds Risks of Chemical Used for Teflon
PFOA, a chemical used to make the nonstick substance on cooking pots and pans poses more of a cancer risk than indicated in a draft assessment by the US Environmental Protection Agency, an independent review board has found.

The majority of members on an US EPA scientific advisory board concluded that PFOA, also known as C-8, is "likely" to be carcinogenic to humans, and that the EPA should conduct cancer risk assessments for a variety of tumors found in mice and rats.

The board's findings will increase pressure on the US EPA to conduct human health risk assessments for liver, breast, pancreatic and testicular cancer, as well as PFOA's potentially toxic effects on the immune system, said Richard Wiles, senior vice president for the Environmental Working Group, an advocacy and research organization. Source: Associated Press

Pesticides Continue to Contaminate Foods
According to Professor Ronnie Cummins, the US FDA Office of Plant and Dairy Foods has stated that half of the non-organic produce they have tested in grocery stores contains traceable residues of various pesticides, including Roundup. http://www.organicconsumers.org/monsanto/pregnancy060305.cfm

Codex to Restrict Supplements
The demand for supplements has never been higher as the bulk of foods are refined carbohydrates and proteins low in the important vitamins, mineral, antioxidants and phytonutrients. Codex is proposing to limit access to these supplements by making them subject to the same controls as prescription medicines. For more information: www.evehillary.org

Consistent with the growth of the Australian organic sector, three very useful and complimentary books have been published this year and are available in shops.

CleanFood -Certified Organic Shopping by Malcolm McGuire
The CleanFood Handbook is a long overdue shopping guide to purchasing organic products. It covers the complete range from food, drinks, recipes, wines, baby food health and beauty as well as a list of shops that supply organic products.

Very importantly this well laid out, easy to read guide helps consumers understand how organic products are grown and the importance of certification. CleanFood - Certified Organic Shopping Handbook is available through newsagents across Australia as well as many bookshops and organic retailers. www.cleanfood.com.au

Beyond Organics - Gardening For The Future by Helen Cushing
This book looks at the negative ecological effects of many of our current gardening practices and presents a series of useful solutions. Currently government regulators and the conservation movement are putting pressure agriculture to adopt better environmental practices.

Yet the home garden seems to be ignored even though more pesticides are used in gardening than farming. Similarly the weekly use of lawn mowers contributes more greenhouse gases than farm machinery. More of our precious water is used for keeping lawns green or growing ornamental plants than is used for drinking, cooking or bathroom activities. Also a significant number of garden plants, both native and exotic have become environmental and economic weeds.

Beyond Organics shows how to transform gardens into low maintenance, low water and ecologically sound environments, simply by making a few straightforward changes. It includes advice on climate, soil, plant selection, attracting wildlife and more.

Available from ABC Shops, ABC Centres, bookstores; home delivery phone 1300 360 111.www.abcshop.com.au

Organic Farming – Is it for you? By Cindy Benjamin, Jason Huggins and Greg Paynter
Organic Farming – Is it for you? will prove to be one of Australia’s most useful resources on organic farming. Published by the Queensland Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries as learning guide for people considering converting to a certified organic system, this book will benefit all farmers.

Based on successful organic farmers, using their case histories and their incredible depth of knowledge, Cindy Benjamin has taken this wealth of information and presented it in a format that is accessible and easy to use. All of us will find this an important resource that we can use to improve our farming systems.
Available: DPI&F, PO Box 1143, Bundaberg, Qld 4670 www.dpi.qld.gov/organics

Organic Expo, Darling Harbour Sydney, 30-31 July
The Organic Expo is shaping up to be a major industry event with a wide range of organic and environmentally friendly products on show.

The OFA is supporting this event by holding our AGM and the Industry Roundtable the day before - July 29. There will be an industry cocktail party on the evening of the July 29 where Senator Richard Colbeck, the minister with the responsibility for organics will launch the restructured OFA and officially open the Organic Expo. This event will feature certified organic wines and food. For more details: www.organicexpo.com.au

The Expo will be an excellent opportunity to showcase the diversity and quality of organic products to large numbers of Australian Consumers as it will held in Darling Harbour Convention Centre when the boat show is on. Tens of thousands of people will be visiting every day.

www.organicexpo.com.au Ph: 02 9319 1228 Fax: 02 9453 3499 Mob: 0414 306 689 mary@shevents.com.au

Dr Vandana Shiva will be one of the significant keynote speakers
Time Magazine identified Dr. Shiva as an environmental "hero" in 2003. Asia Week has called her one of the five most powerful communicators of Asia.

Recently Dr Shiva was involved in the successful campaign to stop the biopiracy of neem by a large corporation.

The European Patent Office overturned the patent on Neem by an American company, Thermo Trilogy. The patent meant that using Neem seeds as a fungicide became illegal unless royalties were paid to Thermo Trilogy.

This is first time in history that a patent has been revoked over the issue of protecting traditional knowledge and practices. This landmark decision is being celebrated in India and should see the overturning other similar patents where traditional plants have been patented by corporations

Significant Earlybird Discounts before 31 July for the World Congress Adelaide

The world conference has a $100 early bird discount for people who register before 31 July 2005. There are additional discounts for members of IFOAM, ISOFAR, NASAA & OFA and certified organic farmers.

Members of the above organisations qualify for the $65 member discount. Certified organic farmers who quote their certifier's name and certification number will qualify for an ADDITIONAL discount of $100.

All the information on registration discounts, the program, tours and accommodation is available on the website: http://www.ifoam2005.info/

Organic Farm Tour USA, August 7
Don Macfarlane, one of the elder statesmen of the organic industry is leading another one of his famous tours of best practice organic farming systems in the USA. This is an opportunity to meet and listen to some of the leading exponents organic systems. The tour includes a who’s who of the American organic movement, such as Jerry Brunetti, Sally Fallon, Gary Zimmer, Joel and Therese Salatin and the Organic Valley Coop.

Having been across the USA with Don, I can personally recommend this tour as a once in a lifetime opportunity to meet a wide range of people who will really inspire you with their innovative perspectives on economic, health, environmental and cultural issues. Led by Nuffield Farming Scholar, Don Macfarlane 07 5467 1411, biofarmtours@bigpond.com In conjuction with Flight Centre Tag 262. 07 3229 8666

EcoProduce
As part of a study for an MBA Richard Igoe has set up an online auction to register companies that may be interested in buying and selling organic products online.

There is no charge for sign up or listing. EcoProduce charges a small fee from any end of auction sales that result in a successful purchase. More details: info@ecoproduce.com www.ecoproduce.com/auction/register.php

Collingwood Children's Farm Farmers’ Market
Saturday 9th July 8am - 1pm
Miranda Sharp Phone 5657 2337 or 0429 146627

Organic Expo Sydney, Darling Harbour, Sydney, 30-31 July www.organicexpo.com.au

Cycle for Sustainability (C4S) July 2005
Cycle for Sustainability will be a cycling road show, motivating and empowering individuals and communities to take action toward sustainability including organic farming and food issues.

The ride will begin in Brisbane in late July 2005, and visit communities along the east coast of Australia, via Canberra, finishing in Hobart mid December. A promotional launch of C4S will be held at the 2005 Students Of Sustainability conference (9^th-15^th July) in Victoria.

Email: info@sustainia.org.au Web: www.sustainia.org.au Phone: (03) 6431 3074 (Nick, Michelle)

The two-day conference will deliver leadership and practical information, celebrate business achievements, set new horizons and establish networks. Delegates will also be treated to delicious Hume Murray regional produce and the wines of Brown Brothers.

The Conference Program (plus an optional pre-conference day) and Registration Details are available of the Australian Farmers’ Markets Association website www.farmersmarkets.org.au
Noelle Quinn T: (02) 6058 2996 E: Noelle.Quinn@det.nsw.edu.au

15^th IFOAM World Congress and the Organic World Exhibition Adelaide Convention Centre 20-23 September

Go Organic Festival in Botanic Park in Adelaide on September 24-25 www.ifoam2005.info