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Organic Sytems are Healthier
The recent article in Choice questioning the value of organic foods has led to a raft of ill-informed comments, especially by the shock jocks on talk back radio. In our opinion the Choice article and the subsequent media ignored a significant number of scientific studies that show the nutritional and environmental benefits of organic systems and their products. The media continues to ignore the enormous amount of scientific studies showing the detrimental effects of pesticides to human health and to our environment.
This edition of Organic Update features yet more articles on the health and environmental benefits of organic products and the harm that pesticides are doing, especially to our children.
Best Regards
Andre Leu
Chair
Organic Diet Improves Quality of Breast Milk
Scientific studies show that consuming organic milk and meat improves the health qualities of nursing mothers’ breast milk.
European scientists have found that mothers who consumed mostly organic meat and milk have around 50 percent higher levels of rumenic acid in their breast milk. This acid protects against cancer and inflammatory diseases such as arthritis, heart disease and asthma.
The study, published this year in the British Journal of Nutrition, offers incontrovertible proof that there are significant health benefits in consuming organic food, especially for nursing mothers and their children.
This study confirms earlier research by the Danish Institute of Agricultural Research and the University of Newcastle showing that cows raised on an organic diet produced milk with 50% more Vitamin E and 75% more beta carotene than conventionally farmed cows. The organic milk has two to three times more 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.
A recently published review of scientific research by Dr Charles Benbrook at the Organic Center reveals that on average organic foods contain about one-third higher levels of antioxidants than comparable conventional produce.
These phyto-nutrients have been shown to have major roles in preventing and reversing diseases such as heart disease and arterial diseases. They are important for preventing and reducing inflammatory and auto-immune 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.
Source: "Influence of organic diet on the amount of conjugated linoleic acids in breast milk"
British Journal of Nutrition, 2007.
Organically Grown Melons Deliver More Vitamin C and Polyphenols
During the 2007 annual meeting of the American Society for Horticultural Science, a team from Colorado State University reported encouraging results from a two-year comparison of organic and conventional melon production systems. The team highlighted the impact of crop genetics on total antioxidant activity, which varied over ten-fold across varieties. Crop genotype accounted for 65 percent of this variation, with production system accounting for most of the rest. Organic management was found to increase both vitamin C and polyphenol.
Source: The Organic Center www.organic-center.org
Organic Environmental News
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Organic Farming Practices Improve Water Quality in Minnesota
A team of University of Minnesota scientists studied the impact of organic and sustainable agricultural practices over three years on subsurface drainage and water quality in southwestern Minnesota. Their focus was on corn-soybean farms.
They found that organic and sustainable systems reduced the volume of subsurface drainage water discharges by 41 percent – a major benefit for the farmer, especially in dry years when lack of soil moisture cuts back yields. Organic and sustainable systems also reduced the loss of nitrate nitrogen by about 60 percent, allowing farmers to reduce fertilization rates by nearly half without sacrificing yields in most years. The improved soil quality on the organic/sustainable plots, coupled with more diverse land use patterns, were credited by the team with improving the efficiency of nutrient uptake and water infiltration and use, especially in average to wet years.
Source: The Organic Center www.organic-center.org
Herbicides Contaminate the Great Barrier Reef
The latest report from, the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority has found that herbicides are ‘an ubiquitous contaminant in the inshore areas of the Great Barrier Reef.’
The report states ‘The herbicides, atrazine and diuron were present at low concentrations at river mouths, inshore reefs and intertidal seagrass monitoring locations. Concentrations of the herbicides were detected at higher concentrations during the wet season…The ecological consequences of chronic low level exposure to these types of pollutants are yet to be fully understood, although laboratory experiments have demonstrated their acute toxicity to seagrass and corals.’
International research has found that an extremely low concentration of diuron, 0.1 parts per billion, reduces photosynthesis by aquatic plants. The levels of diuron are significantly higher than this in rivers and the inshore reefs. The US EPA has classified diuron as a "known/likely" carcinogen since 1997.
Similarly the levels of Atrazine that contaminate the reef are significantly higher than those that are known to cause endocrine disruption, reproductive birth defects and cancers. Source: The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority
Pesticide Exposures Increase Risk of Gestational Diabetes
The Agricultural Health Study, underway for over a decade, has produced valuable data on the impacts of pesticides on human health. In an important March 2007 paper in "Diabetes Care," a team of government scientists found that pregnant women exposed to pesticides occupationally (i.e., spraying, mixing pesticides) had more than double the risk of developing gestational diabetes (diabetes during pregnancy). Four herbicides, including two in the phenoxy herbicide class that also includes 2,4-D (see the item on pesticide use and biotech crops below), plus three insecticides were found to be associated with elevated risk of gestational diabetes. Source: The Organic Center
Linkage Established Between Pesticides and Autism
Scientists from California Department of Health Services have found that pregnant women living near fields sprayed with the insecticides dicofol and endosulfan were six-times more likely to give birth to children with "Autism Spectrum Disorders" (ASD) than women living many kilometres from treated fields.
Endosulfan is widely used in fruits, vegetables and cotton in Australia and around the world. It is persistent in the environment with residues being found in the sprayed crops, in animals that feed on sprayed crops and from drift. Many scientists have called for this chemical to be banned. Source: Environmental Health Perspectives
Paraquat Banned from European Markets
Following a European Union court ruling reversing authorization of plant protection uses of the herbicide paraquat, PAN Europe has learned that the EU's Standing Committee on the Food Chain and Animal Health instructed member states that "they should remove paraquat from the market and revoke its authorization". The French Ministry of Farming and Fishing withdrew authorization on July 20, 2007. "The Ministry's decision takes immediate effect, and applies to all pre-existing stocks containing the herbicide," according to PAN Europe's new on-line information resource, "Paraquat Watch -- Countdown to a Global Ban". The German Consumer Protection Office suspended sale and use of Gramoxone Extra, a Syngenta brand of paraquat, on July 13, and on Aug. 2 the Netherlands announced: "Sales of pesticides containing paraquat must end before 1 October 2007. Source: PANNA www.panna.org
Children Vulnerable to Chemical Contamination
The World Health Organization's program on Children and Environmental Health issued a new report stating, "Air and water contaminants, pesticides in food, lead in soil, as well many other environmental threats which alter the delicate organism of a growing child may cause or worsen disease and induce developmental problems. Over 30% of the global burden of disease in children can be attributed to environmental factors." Source: PANNA www.panna.org
GM Moratoria
South Australia, Victoria and NSW are reviewing their current moratoria on GM crops. The OFA has put in submissions to each government. We have also had spoken with the media on this issue. A copy of the OFA submission can been seen on our web site. www.ofa.org.au
GM Crops Increase Pesticide Use
Bill Freese of the Center for Food Safety has cited recent USDA data and past work by the Organic Center's Chief Scientist Chuck Benbrook, to dismantle the myth that GM crops have reduced pesticide use. One major reason – the emergence of several glyphosate resistant weeds that are spreading fast across major production regions.
To combat resistant weeds in US soybean fields in 2006, compared to 2005 herbicide treatments, farmers had to apply:
- 42 percent more glyphosate (linked to non Hodgkins lymphoma, reproductive problems and frog declines); and,
- 129 percent more 2,4-D (known to trigger reproductive problems and birth defects in agricultural communities).
Source: The Organic Center www.organic-center.org
Organic Wholesalers, Melbourne’s oldest organic wholesaler of fruit and vegetables is seeking staff for its Melbourne Markets store.
Organic Wholesalers remains at the forefront of advances in the organic industry, as one of Australia’s largest suppliers of fresh organic produce and organic grocery lines. We have earned a solid reputation as the best one-stop organic supply company in the Asia Pacific region.
With growth and innovation we are seeking to recruit staff in the areas of customer service and distribution. If you are interested in any way in developing a career in the organic industry, and think you have the drive and initiative, we have positions available in our Melbourne Wholesale Markets night team. For more information on the positions available, please contact Ian Peace, General Manager on 0414 887 082.
Notice of the Annual General Meeting of the Organic Federation of Australia Limited
The AGM of the Organic Federation of Australia limited will be held between 13.30 to 16.00 on Sept 7 2007, in the OFA Seminar Room at the Organic Expo, Royal Exhibition Building Carlton Gardens St, Melbourne.
OFA Members Workshop
A workshop on the OFA Corporate Plan and OFA priorities will be held from 10.30 to 12.00 on Sept 7 2007, in the OFA Seminar Room at the Organic Expo, Royal Exhibition Building, Carlton Gardens St, Melbourne. All OFA members and interested people are welcome.
OFA Seminars Sept 9-8 at the Organic Expo
The OFA will be conducting free seminars and workshops in the OFA Seminar Room at the Organic Expo. These sessions will cover key issues such as the Australian Standard for Organic and Biodynamic Products, Climate Change, The Health Benefits of Organic Foods and The Environmental Benefits of Organic Systems. All interested people are most welcome to attend and participate.
Farmers are the Solution Workshops
Workshops on the Environmental Benefits of organic and biodynamic farming will be held from 11.00 to 11.45 on Sept 8 and 9, in the OFA Seminar Room at the Organic Expo, Royal Exhibition Building, Carlton Gardens St, Melbourne. All interested people are welcome.
OFA Public Workshops
Workshops on the regulatory issues of organic and biodynamic products will be held from 13.00 to 13.45 on Sept 8 and 9, in the OFA Seminar Room at the Organic Expo, Royal Exhibition Building, Carlton Gardens St, Melbourne. All interested people are welcome.
Organic Expo Awards Dinner
The Organic Expo Awards dinner will entertain 250 guests and provide a great opportunity for everyone to network and catch up on the latest in the industry.
A delicious 3 course organic dinner accompanied by fine organic wines and live entertainment will ensure this event will be a major highlight over the Expo weekend. Don’t forget to invite your customers, colleagues, partners and friends, a free dinner ticket for bookings of 10.
Time 7.00pm for 7.30pm till late
Date: Friday 7 September 2007
Address: Rydges Carlton Hotel 701 Swanston Street Carlton, (near Grattan Street)
Ph: 02 9319 1228 Fx: 02 9453 3499 Mob: 0414 306 689
Em: mary@shevents.com.au
New Zealand National Organic Conference
Friday to Sunday August 17-19, 2007. National Organic Conference.At Lincoln University. The most significant gathering of the organic sector in New Zealand for several years, with keynote speakers including Dr Ton Baars (Germany), Professor Roger Hitchings (UK), Dr Arden Anderson (US), Tom Lambie (NZ). More information and registration at http://events.lincoln.ac.nz/organics.
Natural Therapies & Natural Health Expo
16-17 August, Wharf 8, Hickson Road, Sydney
1-2 November, The Camberwell Centre, Melbourne
call 1300 789 845 or visit www.naturaltherapyexpo.com.au
email: melanie@intermedia.com.au
tel: 02 9660 2113
2007 Qld Landcare & Catchment Management Conference & Awards
22-25 August,Mackay Entertainment Centre
Contact:Margaret Lane, Conference Convener, Pioneer Catchment & Landcare Group
ph 4951 4327 fax 4957 2216 mob 0407 639 623
mlane@orion-online.com.au www.pioneercatchment.org.au
1st IFOAM International Conference on Marketing of Organic and Regional Values
August 26-28, 2007 in Schwäbisch Hall, Germany
For more information:www.ifoam.org/events/ifoam_conferences/regional_values_2007.html
Organic Expo featuring the Natural and Ethical Show
7 to 9 September 2007 Royal Exhibition Building, Carlton Gardens VIC
The Organic Expo, now in its 3rd successful year, is Australia’s foremost organic and environmental show covering all lifestyle areas. Regarded as the Oceania regions organic meeting point, the show is supported with the presence of the International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements (IFOAM), Australian Federation of Australia (OFA) and other industry bodies. Over 200+ exhibitors will take part providing attendees with the opportunity to discover new products, sample delicious food and wine and talk directly to growers, producers and retailers about the benefits of certified organic and natural & ethical products and services. For more information: www.organicexpo.com.au
Ph: 02 9319 1228 Fx: 02 9453 3499 Mob: 0414 306 689
Em: mary@shevents.com.au
David Howard, Head Gardener to HRH Prince of Wales to Tour Australia
The Friends of the Royal Botanic Gardens Sydney are hosting a speaking tour by David Howard to Australia from November 7-16 2007. David will present a number of different talks including ‘Highgrove, the Garden’ offering a fascinating insight into this prestigious organic garden, looking at its development over the last 25 years, including the wildflower meadow, walled garden, arboretum and carpet garden. One of his talk topics will be ‘The Philosophy of Highgrove’ that will concentrate on the technical aspects of the workings of the magnificent garden and an understanding of it’s underlying organic principles and practices.
For more information on David’s speaking tour in November including dates, venues and ticketing information (as well as a gala dinner with David as the keynote speaker in Sydney, Melbourne and Hobart), please go to www.rbgsyd.nsw.gov.au/friends or telephone 02 9231 8182.
Slow Food Melbourne Farmers Market
St Heliers Street, Collingwood on the 4th Saturday of each month.
Veg Out Farmers’ Market
1st Saturday of every month 8.30am-1pm
Chaucer Street, St Kilda (just behind Acland Street and Luna Park)
Collingwood Children’s Farm Farmers’ Market
2nd Saturday every month 8.00am–1pm
St Heliers Street, Abbotsford
Gasworks Farmers’ Market
3rd Sat every month 8.30am–1pm
Graham Street, Albert Park. (cnr Pickles St)
The Gascoyne Growers Markets, Carnarvon, Western Australia
Every Saturday 8am to 11.30am from mid-May to October
For further information email gascoynemarkets@westnet.com.au
or call markets coordinator Nic Giblett on 0403 198 760.
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