www.ofa.org.au

Welcome to David Bruer
I would like to welcome David Bruer who has joined the board of the OFA

David is the Chief Executive Officer of Temple Bruer Wines, one of Australia’s leading organic wine makers. He was one of the founding members of Organic Vignerons Association of Australia Inc. We are pleased to have someone with his depth of skills and experience as part of the OFA team.

NZ and Journal of Organic Systems
Earlier last month I visited New Zealand to meet with our trans Tasman colleagues in the organic industry. The main purpose of the visit was to hold discussions on starting a joint journal for organic research for Australia and New Zealand as well as our neighbours in the Pacific.

With the recent knock back for an organic CRC we need to look at other ways of stimulating research into organic systems. A journal can be part of strategic approach to this problem. It will encourage researchers to engage in and publish organic research. Another major benefit will be having most of the research into organics in our region published in a single journal rather than currently being spread around a myriad of publications. This will make it easier to locate organic research and increase the knowledge base and uptake of organics.

The Organic Federation of Aotearoa New Zealand is also going through a restructure. I was invited to sit in one of their meetings to present the current model we are proposing for the restructure of the Organic Federation of Australia.

It is worth noting that while the population of New Zealand is about one seventh the size of Australia and the landmass is significantly smaller, its organic industry is about double the size of ours in value. This is due in part to the sector supporting and working with their peak organisation. As a result New Zealand has three universities doing cutting edge organic research and a higher level of government support of the sector’s agenda.

I would like to thank our New Zealand colleagues for their hospitality and particularly Brendan Hoare for being such a generous host.

Best Regards
Andre Leu
Chair

Organic Food Does Taste Better
People who eat organic foods often cite ‘that they taste better’ as one of their reasons for buying them. These claims of superior flavour are regularly challenged with statements that they cannot be proven.

However, there is a growing body of science that clearly shows why organic food has more flavour than conventionally grown food.

Numerous studies are showing that organic food has higher levels of antioxidants than food grown with synthetic fertilisers and pesticides. A recently publish review of these scientific studies by Dr Charles Benbrook, Ph.D. reveals that on average, the organic crops contained about one-third higher antioxidant and/or phenolic content than comparable conventional produce. Several studies found levels of specific vitamins, flavonoids or antioxidants in organic foods to be two or three times the level found in matched samples of conventional foods.

These compounds, known collectively as phyto-nutrients have been shown to have major roles in preventing and reversing degenerative diseases such as heart disease. They are especially important for preventing and reducing inflammatory and autoimmune disease diseases such as asthma and arthritis. Most significantly they are shown to have anti cancer and other protective properties for our health and well being.

Many of these antioxidants are poly-phenols, flavonoids and other volatile compounds. They are the compounds that are responsible for most of the flavours in the foods we eat. The greater the amount of these protective compounds, the greater the flavor.

Scientists are starting to understand how organic farming techniques can increase the antioxidant contents of food. These compounds are generated by plants to protect themselves from pests and diseases. Stress events on plants such as insects or weeds can trigger the plant’s defense mechanisms. They respond by creating a range of phenolics, flavonoids, volatile compounds and other antioxidants. When we eat these aromatic compounds we perceive them as flavour.

The studies reviewed by Dr Benbrook showed that the practices of organic farms such as use of compost, cover crops, slow release forms of nitrogen can increase phyto-nutrient content compared to conventional practices that depend on synthetic fertilizers and pesticides.

According to Dr Benbrook "High nitrogen levels make plants grow fast and bulk up with carbohydrates and water. While the fruits of these plants produce may be big, they suffer in nutritional quality, whereas organic production systems produce foods that usually yield denser concentrations of nutrients and deliver consumers a better nutritional bargain per calorie consumed."

It has been shown that animals that consume organic produce have higher levels of antioxidants and therefore greater flavour in their products. As an example dairy cattle raised on an organic diet produce milk with 50% more Vitamin E and 75% more beta carotene than conventionally farmed dairy. The organic milk is also two to three times higher in zeaxanthine and lutein, which are powerful antioxidants. Higher levels of omega 3 essential fatty acids, that provide protection from heart and other diseases, are also found in organic milk.

We live in an era where many people believe that if something tastes good it cannot be healthy. However it is comforting to know that the compounds that give the extra flavour in organic foods also make them healthier.

Americans Face Drop in Life Expectancy
A peer review study published in the prestigious New England Journal of Medicine predicts that the life expectancy of Americans will decline.

The forecast is based on the sharp rise in obesity in youth. The increased risk of diabetes, heart disease and cancer that are linked to obesity could lessen the average life expectancy by two to five years.

The lead researcher Jay Olshansky believes that obesity is equivalent to the negative effect of cancer on population longevity. Olshansky stated that "If nothing changes for the better today's younger generations will live shorter and less healthy lives than their parents."

This research applies equally to Australia where obesity is now a serious epidemic.

British Prime Minister Backs Naked Chef's Organic School Menu in A$27 Billion Project
The issue of obesity, especially childhood obesity and its serious long term ill health such diabetes and heat disease is regularly in the news in Australia and around the world. The main causes are high calorie foods that are empty of nutrition and lack of exercise. Much of this food is highly processed, however research shows that unprocessed foods grown with high levels of soluble nitrogen, pesticides and herbicides tend to be high in calories and nutritionally empty. Research is showing that organic foods are nutritionally dense with vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and other phyto-nutrients.

The UK Soil Association, the peak industry body for the organic sector has been working with Jamie Oliver ‘The Naked Chef’’ to improve the quality of food in Britain's state-run schools. Oliver persuaded schoolchildren to abandon a fatty diet of burgers and chips in favour of healthier food made from organic and fresh ingredients.

This successful food program was the subject of a documentary called Jamie's School Dinners. Teachers at the schools in the documentary reported that children eating Oliver's meals were better behaved and were less likely to need asthma inhalers.

As a result the poor quality of food served in Britain's state-run schools has been put high on the political agenda. British Prime Minister Tony Blair has announced an A$27 billion fund to improve food quality, kitchens and dining areas as part of a primary school building program. A new School Food Trust will help schools across the country provide healthier meals.

Mr Blair praised healthy food by the Soil Association and Jamie Oliver. "It will draw on the remarkable work of Jamie Oliver in schools, the Soil Association in encouraging the use of organic and local produce in school meals and on the best advice on nutrition and eliminating processed foods."

Government inspectors will include the quality of school meals in their regular checks. "It may take a little time to change children's tastes but it will be worth the effort if we can get them enjoying healthy and good quality food at school," Blair said.

New E Newsletter on Organic Food Quality
Shane Heaton, Australia’s leading nutritionist on organic food quality is the editor of a free newsletter by the International Research Association for Organic Food Quality and Health. This is an excellent resource for people who are interested in good quality information about organic food.

The International Research Association for Organic Food Quality and Health was registered as an international research association in January 2003 in the Netherlands to co-ordinate and disseminate research in the field of organic food and health. You can subscribe at http://www.organicfqhresearch.org

Children More Vulnerable to Chemicals
The US EPA has confirmed that children 2 years old and younger are 10 times more vulnerable than adults to certain chemicals. Children between the ages of 2 and 16 are around three times more vulnerable to certain chemicals.

Australian authorities need to completely reassess all chemical use, especially in our food, air, water and houses based on this information.

Biopirates Lose Patent over Neem
The European Patent Office has overturned a 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

Neem Products and Registration
In a previous issue of organic update (http://www.ofa.org.au/papers/Mythpesticidesv2.html) I raised the issue that regulatory authorities mostly test single active ingredients of pesticides for long term toxicity and health problems such as cancers, birth defects and mutations. They rarely test the actual product sold, which is mixture of chemicals, for these problems.

The process of only testing for the active compound and not testing for the whole formulation is holding up the registration of effective neem products for food production in Australia.

Neem like most other botanical pesticides is composed of many active compounds as distinct from synthetics that usually only have one active ingredient. At least 26 active compounds have been identified in Neem

Many of the active compounds in botanicals while being toxic or repellant to insects and diseases have been shown to have major health benefits to humans. These are the anti oxidants, phenolics and flavonoids the research shows protect against cancers, heart disease, asthma and degenerative diseases. They are responsible for the flavours in many foods

Generations of Asians have consumed neem products believing that it is beneficial for their health. In India crushed neem sticks are used to brush teeth and gums to ensure excellent dental health. Neem seeds are fed to animals to prevent intestinal worms.

Our Australian regulatory authorities have determined that separate detailed toxicological studies need to be conducted on each of the identified compounds in Neem. A range of studies will be needed for each compound. Each of these studies usually cost tens of thousands of dollars. Multiply several studies times 26 @ tens of thousands of dollars each and the final cost for registering neem for food crops could be several million dollars. Most companies cannot afford to do all of these studies as they will never get a return on their investment.

Testing the actual formulation used by farmers would cost considerably less and give much more accurate results than the current requirements. The Australian registration system allows thousands of inadequately tested synthetic formulations to be sold for food production, despite a good body of science showing that they may cause significant adverse health effects in doses lower than currently permitted.

On the other hand the organic and sustainable farming industries are being denied effective pesticides even where research shows that the whole formulation has very low toxicity and due to the fast biodegradability has no adverse long term health effects.

The current testing procedures favour large cashed up multinational corporations marketing their synthetic compounds and discriminate against small and medium size companies registering natural formulations.

Minister Calls for Chlorpyrifos Ban
Queensland State Environment Minister, Desley Boyle has called for chlorpyrifos to be banned after drift resulted in the deaths of thousands of fish. The National Toxics Network supports her stand. Chlorpyrifos is still widely used in Australian houses and food production for insect control. These uses are now banned in the USA due research linking it to serious levels of developmental neurotoxicity. This is where the nervous system, especially the brain, in growing children and the unborn suffer serious long term damage.

We are seeing an increase in the content and distribution of organic print media. We now have several magazines and newspapers that are available through newsagents and other outlets. These publications are complimentary as each has an individual style, content and focus. This shows that interest in organics is steadily growing across all sectors of Australian society.

Acres Australia
The mainstay of sustainable/organic farming, Acres Australia, is now available in newsagents again, after being only available by subscription. It is good to see it back on display.

Australian Organic Journal
BFA’s Australian Organic Journal is now being distributed by Rural Press, so we can expect to see it in newsagents around the country.

Eco Voice
Eco Voice is now distributed nationally and in New Zealand. This newspaper specialises in environmental issues and always has articles on organics

ABC’s Organic Gardener Magazine
The Organic Gardener has been revitalised to deliver a contemporary new look and broader content embracing not only organic gardening but also wholistic living. It now covers topics such as organic food, environmentally friendly home products and cutting edge developments in Eco-Living and Eco-Travel. Articles are written by some of Australia's leading organic experts.

To subscribe: 02 8877 0361 or email abcmags@data.com.au or subscribe online by visiting www.isubscribe.com.au

GM Crops Cause Decline in Biodiveristy
The last in a series of UK trials studying the environmental effects of GMO crops shows that herbicide resistant transgenic crops cause a massive decline in biodiversity

Butterfly numbers were cut by two-thirds and bee populations by half, according to the results of a three-year study commissioned by the UK government. Researchers stated that the use of herbicides as the only weed control system is to blame as they destroy the host plants of beneficial insects.

The scientists stated that this has a flow on effect for the whole of the ecological system by severely reducing insects needed by animals higher up the food chain. "If this crop were commercialized we'd be concerned about the implications for birds..." says David Gibbons, a conservationist from the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds and a member of the committee that oversaw the experiment.

GMO’s Increase Toxic Chemical Use
GMO proponents advocate their technology as the solution to reducing toxic chemical use in farming. Two recent studies show that these claims are not true.

A recent review by Dr Charles Benbrook shows a massive increase in the use of herbicides in herbicide tolerant GMOs over conventional crops.

Farmers in the southern USA using Bt cotton are finding that they have to use more pesticides. While these crops have a decrease in bollworm damage because they are genetically engineered to create their own pesticide to ward off bollworms, they are attracting other pests at a much higher rate. North Carolina State University has released a study on this matter, indicating that Bt cotton has an average of three times more damage from stink bugs than conventional cotton.

Biotech Giants Make Seed Saving a Crime
According to Professor Joe Cummins of the Organic Consumers Association, seed and biotech giants like Monsanto have rammed though controversial "intellectual property laws" in numerous countries to make traditional seed saving a crime. Last year, Monsanto harassed and/or sued more than 500 U.S. farmers who saved their seeds, forcing them to pay the company over A$20 million in fines, including up to 8 month long prison sentences. Is this the future we want for our farmers? http://www.organicconsumers.org/monsanto/seedsaving031405.cfm

Organic Expo: ‘organics for everyone’ Sydney 29 -31 July 2005
The Organic Expo is Australia’s first major Expo specifically created for both the public and trade, highlighting the wide range of certified organic and environmentally-friendly products and services (collectively known as eco-ganics) now available.

It will show that organic living choices are ‘modern, healthy and the way of the future’ and will give consumers the ability to shop from an informed standpoint. There will be plenty of opportunities to taste, sample, learn and talk to exhibitors about the benefits of eco-ganics and where to buy them.

Approximately 100 qualified exhibitors will be on show from a wide range of everyday lifestyle categories covering: Food, Wine & Beverages; House, Garden & Building Products; Fashion & Manchester; Personal Care, Health & Beauty; Mother & Baby; Pet Care; Restaurants, Spas & Eco-Resorts.

To ensure the integrity of the Organic Expo the Biological Farmers of Australia and the Australian Environmental and Labelling Association have helped to establish a set of fair entrance criteria that all exhibitors must meet.

There will be an exciting program of demonstrations and seminars on the Main Celebrity Stage throughout the Expo as well as other unique expo highlights such as the Organic Vineyard. To date, key appearances have been confirmed by award-winning celebrity chefs, restaurant owners and authors Kylie Kwong, Stephanie Alexander, Mirko Grillini; Natural Skin and Beauty Expert Carla Oates; Nutritionist and organic food expert Shane Heaton as well as key industry spokespeople Andre Leu from the Organic Federation of Australia and Dr Andrew Monk from the BFA.

For more information contact: Lena Smeaton – 0413 043 287, Mary Hackett - 0414 306 689 www.organicexpo.com.au or, call 02 9451 4747

Registrations are Now Online
It is now possible to register for the 15th IFOAM World Organic Conference in Adelaide, September 20-23 on line. http://www.nasaa.com.au/ifoam
The conference has a substantial discount for ealybird registrations so it is worthwhile to register ASAP.
For further information contact: NASAA
PO Box 768
Stirling SA 5152.
Tel: 08 8370 8455 Fax: 08 8370 8381

Interesting Diversity of Keynote Speakers at World Conference
The IFOAM World Organic Conference will have a large range of interesting speakers. The profiles of two of the speakers are included below. Information on other keynote speakers can be found at http://www.nasaa.com.au/ifoam

David Holmgren is best known as the co-originator with Bill Mollison of the permaculture movement following the publication of "Permaculture One" in 1978. Since then he has written several more books, developed three properties using permaculture principles and conducted workshops and courses in Australia, New Zealand, Europe and Japan. Within the growing and international permaculture movement, David is respected for his commitment to presenting permaculture ideas through practical projects and teaching by personal example, that a sustainable lifestyle is a realistic, attractive and powerful alternative to dependent consumerism.

As well as constant involvement in the practical side of permaculture, David is passionate about the philosophical and conceptual foundations for sustainability which are highlighted in his latest book, Permaculture: Principles and Pathways Beyond Sustainability. With this book already on its second print run, and with an increasingly profile as a public speaker, David Holmgren provides leadership with his refreshing and unorthodox approach to the environmental issues of our time.

Sue Kedgley has been a Green Party MP for 5 years. She is Green party spokesperson for Health, Safe Food, Consumer Affairs, Broadcasting and other issues. She is Deputy Chair of the Health Select Committee of the New Zealand Parliament.

Sue is the author or co-author of seven books. The most recent title is Eating Safely in a Toxic World . This book looks at pesticides in food and how to avoid them. Sue Kedgley has been a safe food campaigner for many years and was a founder and Co-Convenor of the Safe Food Campaign in New Zealand and the National Food Safety Network.

Biological Farmers of Australia launches Organic Cookbooks
BFA is launching the first of a series of organic cookbooks in Brisbane and Melbourne: organic mirko grillini’s italy. Award winning chef Mirko Grillini has ensured that all the authentic Italian recipes may be produced in ordinary household kitchens with normal cooking utensils.

The launches are:
Brisbane 6pm Wednesday April 6th at the Cru Bar, James St, Fortitude Valley
Melbourne 6pm Friday April 8th at the Canary Club, 6 Melbourne Place (off Russell St)
Reservations are essential: Cat Murray at cat@catwho.com or 0400 808 488

CERTIFIED ORGANIC FROZEN STRAWBERRIES AVAILABLE

Drover’s Rest provides fresh certified organic strawberries Australia wide for the retail market via selected wholesalers.
They also sell frozen organic strawberries washed and hulled ready for food processing and have stocks in excess of our usual customers’ requirements. Frozen strawberries are packed in 18 kg boxes, frozen as a block of fruit and generally shipped from the farm in pallet quantities of 36 boxes. Price and transport details on request.
Errol Seymour, Managing Director
Drover's Rest Enterprises and The Organic Fine Food Company
Ph 08 9761 2901 Fax 08 9761 2905 Email drovrest@bigpond.com
P.O. Box 738, Bridgetown, WA 6255