Organic Federation of Australia

'The Peak Body for the Australian Organic Sector'

www.ofa.org.au

Organic Update December 2007

  • Organic Milk Cuts Eczema in Children
  • Organic Foods have Higher Levels of Bioavailable Antioxidants
  • French President Proposes Moratorium on GMOs and cuts in Pesticide Use
  • GM Soybeans have Lower Yields than Conventional
  • Organic Farming Superior to No-till Conventional Production
  • International Organic News
  • Pesticide Exposure Increases Risk of Diabetes
  • EVENTS

Chairs Report

2007 a Good Year
The OFA would like to wish everybody a wonderful festive season and a great 2008.

2007 has been a very good year for the organic sector in Australia and around the world. The growth of sales in organic products is very robust. A large number of studies on the positive health benefits of organic food were published. This edition contains even more studies, especially on the antioxidant benefits.

2007 saw more research on the environmental benefits of organic farming in terms of soil health, water use efficiency and climate change.

Further studies revealed more problems with synthetic pesticides and GMOs and highlighted the importance of a farming system that avoids these toxic and artificial inputs.

GMOs
The decision by the NSW and Victorian government to end the moratoria on GMOs is disappointing. The OFA has put our concerns to the media and submissions to the relevant Australian Governments about the proposals to end the moratoriums on the production of GMO crops in Australia. The OFA submissions to the Moratoria reviews gave examples where genetic modification has caused ill health and death in animals and humans.

The Organic industry will now have to work hard to have governments mandate realistic segregation policies to ensure that organic products are not accidentally contaminated with GMO products or DNA. The costs of this should be paid for by the GMO industry and not by the organic sector.

Governments will need to introduce legislation that allows fair compensation for financial losses that occur due to contamination. The financial burden and responsibility of contamination must be put on the GMO industry.

Biofach
The OFA is coordinating the Australian Organic Products Stand at Biofach, the World Organic Trade Fair, 21-24 February 2008 in Germany. Biofach is the world’s largest exhibition of organic goods and services. It is an excellent opportunity to sell Australian products to buyers from all over the world. If you are interested in exhibiting and/or promoting your product, the information and costs are on the front page of our website. www.ofa.org.au

All the best for the festive season and 2008

Best Regards
Andre

Organic Health News

Organic Milk Cuts Eczema in Children
A newly published scientific study shows that the incidence of eczema in infants fed on organic dairy products, and whose mothers also consumed organic dairy products, is 36% lower than in children who consume conventional dairy products. Whilst there is a significant body of evidence showing that organic food contains higher levels of beneficial nutrients than non-organic foods, this is the first example of a definite health impact (i.e. isolated from other potential beneficial factors) of organic food consumption being published in a peer reviewed journal, says the British Soil Association. Source: Biofach and www.soilassociation.org

Organic Foods have Higher Levels of Bioavailable Antioxidants
New research at Washington State University supported by The Organic Center has led to the first-ever assessment of the bioavailability of the chiral flavonoids hesperetin, naringenin, and eriodictyol -- important antioxidants in citrus fruits and juices.

Dr. Neal Davies leads the research team at WSU. Using sensitive techniques, they measured the levels of three flavonoids and their enantiomers in conventional and organic fruit and tomato juices, and for the first time ever, quantified both the glycoside (molecule with attached sugars) and agylcone (molecule stripped of sugars) forms of the enantiomers of these three flavonoids.

Organic lemonade had ten-times the total eriocitrin (glycoside form of eriodictyol) compared to conventional lemonade, and the agylcone form had over three-times the level in conventional juice. Organic lime juice also had three-times the level of eriocitrin, compared to conventional lime juice.

Organic apple juice had over three times the total hesperidin (glycoside), and almost twice the hesperetin (agylcone form). Organic grapefruit juice had about 20% less total hesperidin (glycoside), but 77% more hesperetin (agylcone).

The importance of measuring both the glycoside and agylcone form of flavonoids (and other nutrients) is clear in the grapefruit juice findings. Based on the data for just the glycoside form of hesperidin, it would appear that conventional grapefruit juice contains more of this flavonoid than the organic juice that was tested. But by focusing on the more bioavailable agylcone form, the opposite conclusion would be reached.

Source: J.A. Yanez et al., "Pharmacokinetics of Selceted Chiral Flavonoids: Hesperetin, Naringenin, and Eriodictyol in Rats and their Content in Fruit Juices," Biopharmaceutics & Drug Disposition, Vol. 29, pp. 63-82, September 2007

Free-Range Eggs Contain Much Higher Levels of Nutrients
All certified organic eggs are free range. Mother Earth News has repeated its 2005 testing of the nutrient density of conventional versus free-range eggs. The new data shows that free-range eggs have -

  • One-third less cholesterol and twice the omega-3 fatty acid
  • Two-thirds more Vitamin A and three-times the Vitamin E
  • Seven-times more beta carotene

Source: The Organic Center

Antioxidants Help Combat Oxidative Stress and Inflammation Associated with Diabetes
Free radicals, also known as reactive oxygen species (ROS), are a normal consequence of cell respiration and other biological processes. Our bodies make antioxidants to neutralize ROS, and we consume other antioxidants through the diet that help neutralize free radicals and limit their damage to cell walls and DNA.

Organic production increases antioxidant levels by, on average, about 30%, as shown in the Organic Center's State of Science Review on antioxidants.

ROS damage to cells, chronic inflammation, and heart disease are among the common and costly complications of diabetes. A team of scientists in Korea have found that proanthocyanidins, antioxidants in several fruits and vegetables, substantially reduce the damage caused by ROS and inflammation in diabetic rats.

Source Organic Center: Y.A. Lee et al., "Ameliorative Effects of Proanthocyanidin on Oxidative Stress and Inflammation in Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Rats," Journal of Food and Agricultural Chemistry, Vol 55, November 14, 2007

Antioxidants Improve Breast Cancer Survival
A study of 1,210 women with newly diagnosed breast cancer found that individuals with the highest intake of flavones and isoflavones prior to diagnosis had a 37 and 48 percent lower risk of all-cause mortality. This is another reason to eat organic fruits and veges for the higher levels of antioxidants. Source: Organic Center

Source Organic Center: B.N. Fink et al., "Dietary Flavonoid Intake and Breast Cancer Survival among Women on Long Island," Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers, and Prevention, Vol. 16, Number 11, November 2007

GMO News

The Release of GM Canola and the Proposal to End GMO Moratoriums
The OFA has put our concerns to the media and submissions to the relevant Australian Governments about the proposals to end the moratoriums on the production of GMO crops in Australia. The OFA submissions to the Moratoria reviews gave examples where genetic modification has caused ill health and death in animals and humans. A copy of the submission is available on our website. We would urge people to read Genetic Roulette by Jeffery Smith to get an understanding about these problems. For more information: www.gefreeaustralia.org.au

The decision by the NSW and Victorian government to end the moratoria on GMOs is disappointing especially in the light of the mounting evidence about the negative health and environmental effects of artificial plants.

The Organic industry will now have to work hard to have governments mandate realistic segregation policies to ensure that organic products are not accidentally contaminated with GMO products or DNA. The costs of this should be paid for by the GMO industry and not by the organic sector.

Governments will need to introduce legislation that allows fair compensation for financial losses that occur due to contamination. The financial burden and responsibility of contamination must be put on the GMO industry.

French President Proposes Moratorium on GMOs and cuts in Pesticide Use
French President, Nicholas Sakozy has put forward a plan for a new ‘Green Revolution’. This will involve a moratorium on GMOs and a 50% reduction in pesticide use over 10 years. Source: Acres USA

Gene Flow Documented from Herbicide-tolerant Canola
Canadian researchers have shown that a glyphosate-resistant transgene has moved from genetically-engineered, herbicide-tolerant canola into a weedy relative of canola, Brassica rapa. Even more worrisome, the resistance gene is now stably incorporated in the Brassica rapa genome. The team reported that the resistance gene in Brassica rapa persisted in wild populations for six years in the absence of any selection pressure from applications of glyphosate herbicide.

Source Organic Center: S.I. Warwick et al., "Do escaped transgenes persist in nature? The case of an herbicide resistance transgene in a weedy Brassica rapa population," Molecular Ecology, September 2003

GM Soybeans have Lower Yields than Conventional
A study done by a Kansas State University agronomist that reports that Roundup Ready (RR) soybean yields lag behind conventional varieties, still, and that something about the genetic transformation of RR beans impairs manganese metabolism.

Source Organic Center: Barney Gordon, "Manganese Nutrition of Glyphosate-Resistant and Conventional Soybeans," Better Crops, Vol. 91, No. 4, 2007

Organic Farming News

Synthetic Nitrogen Fertilisers Deplete Carbon
Scientists from the University of Illinois analysed the results of a 50 year agricultural trial and found that synthetic nitrogen fertiliser resulted in all the carbon residues from the crop disappearing as well as an average loss of around 10,000 kg of soil carbon per hectare. This is around 33,000 kg of carbon dioxide per hectare on top of the many thousands of kilograms of crop residue that is converted in to CO2 every year.

The researcher found that the higher the application of synthetic nitrogen fertiliser the greater the amount of soil carbon lost as CO2. This is one of the major reasons why conventional agricultural systems have a decline in soil carbon while organic systems increase soil carbon.
Source: Acres USA

Organic Farmers Help Stop Climate Change
A significant tenet of organic agriculture is to build up soil fertility by increasing the levels of organic carbon compounds in the soil.

According to Dr Christine Jones, one of Australia’s leading experts on carbon sequestration a 1% increase in organic carbon in the top 20 cm of soil represents a 24,000 kg per hectare increase in soil carbon which equates to 88,000 kgs of CO2 sequestered.

In a 100 hectare farm this would be around 8,800,000 kgs of CO2 sequestered from the atmosphere. Organic farmers are helping to ameliorate climate change by sequestering huge quantities of CO2

Continuous Monocultures Yield Lower than Crop Rotations
Certified organic farmers must have a crop rotation as part of their pest and disease control. Continuous monocultures of the same crop are not permitted in organic systems.

New research from the University of Illinois have found that yields were 20% lower for continuous corn cropping when compared to corn, oats and hay rotations. Source: Acres USA

Organic Farming Superior to No-till Conventional Production in Building Soil Quality
Proponents of No-till farming use it promote herbicide use as sustainable and like to state that organic systems are unsustainable due to tillage. A new study has shown that that organic systems have better soil health than no till systems.

A USDA plant physiologist, Dr. John Teasdale, has published an important paper in the Journal of Soil and Water Conservation entitled "Strategies for Soil Conservation in No-tillage and Organic Farming Systems" (Nov/Dec 2007, Vol. 62, Number 6). He concludes that: "Results of this research suggest that organic farming systems can provide greater long-term soil improvement than conventional no-tillage systems, despite the use of tillage in organic systems."

International Organic News

BioFach, the World Organic Trade Fair, 21-24 February 2008
The OFA is coordinating the Australian Organic Products Stand at Biofach, in Germany in February 2007. Biofach is the world’s largest exhibition of organic goods and services. It is an excellent opportunity to sell Australian products to buyers from all over the world. If you are interested in exhibiting and/or promoting your product, the information and costs are on the front page of our website. www.ofa.org.au

2,600 exhibitors will present their products to the some 45,000 visitors at BioFach 2008, the World Organic Trade Fair and the organic world’s most important get-together. BioFach, which takes place in Nuremberg from 21-24 February, has another highlight lined up for 2008 – the new Wine Hall 4A. This puts organic wine in the limelight and the culinary event worlds in the Wine Hall have some real organic delights in store for visitors. Vivaness, the Trade Fair for Natural Personal Care and Wellness in hall 7A and part of hall 7, celebrates its first birthday in 2008.

Wal-Mart Updates Sustainable Strategy
US retail giant Wal-Mart expects to sell 20% more organic cotton this year than it did in 2006 and estimates sales of ‘alternative fibres’ such as bamboo, soybean and recycled fibres will be 15% above last year as it continues to purchase more eco-textiles, reports Ecotextile news.

The use of more sustainable raw materials in textiles and clothing is part of a much wider strategy by the world’s biggest retailer to reduce its overall impact on the environment, and was outlined today in a new report that also defines the challenges, as well as Wal-Mart’s goals, for moving forward. Wal-Mart is currently the largest single buyer of organic cotton in the world and also the world’s largest purchaser of conversion cotton. In 2007, the company partnered with a large cotton spinner to commit to the purchase of more than 10 million pounds of conversion cotton. Source: Biofach and www.ecotextile.com

USA Organic Industry Grew by 21 % in 2006
Organic foods are one of the fast-growing market segments within the food industry, with sales growing at an annual rate of 20.9 % in 2006.

Meanwhile, U.S. sales of non-food organic products grew from $744 million in 2005 to $938 million in 2006, reflecting a 26 % growth rate. Non-food categories include organic supplements, personal care products, household products and cleaners, pet food, flowers, and fiber products such as linens and clothing. Demand for meat, currently the smallest category, increased by 55 % last year. Dairy, the largest segment, had an increase in sales of 25 %. Fruit and vegetables showed the smallest growth rate between 2005 and 2006 (11 %). Source: Biofach and www.ota.com

Pesticide News

Pesticide Exposure Increases Risk of Diabetes
A study of over 1,300 Mexican Americans living in the Southwest USA found that elevated levels of organochlorine insecticides in blood were linked to greater risk of diabetes.

Source Organic Center: S. Cox et al., "Prevalence of Self-Reported Diabetes and Exposure to Organochlorine Pesticides Among Mexican Americans: Hispanic Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 1982-1984," Environmental Health Perspectives, Vol. 115, Number 12, December 2007

Glyphosate makes Plants Vulnerable to Diseases
Evidence continues to mount that the spraying of glyphosate alters soil microbial communities in ways that make manganese less bioavailable to plant roots, and increases the plant's vulnerability to soil borne pathogens. While special manganese fertilization programs can help, yields of Roundup Ready (RR) soybeans are not expected to match conventional yields.

Adverse impacts on manganese uptake and metabolism are serious because this mineral plays a fundamental role in activating about 35 enzymes that lead to the biosynthesis of critical nutrients and regulatory compounds within the plant.

Source Organic Center: Barney Gordon, "Manganese Nutrition of Glyphosate-Resistant and Conventional Soybeans," Better Crops, Vol. 91, No. 4, 2007

Publications

The Journal of Organic Systems
The latest edition of this online publication has several interesting in depth articles, including one on the Australia Standard for Organic and Biodynamic Products by OFA director Dr Els Wynen. www.organic-systems.org

ABC Organic Gardener
This excellent magazine is now published every two months and is available at most newsagents. The current issue features Peter Cundall who was this years recipient of the OFA life time achievement award. www.isubscribe.com.au/organicgardener

Clean Food Organic
The latest edition of this quality magazine features great articles on GMOs, pesticides and climate change. OFA director Tim Marshall has contributed very interesting articles on animal welfare. It is available at most organic shops and in many newsagents. www.cleanfood.org.au

Acres Australia
After a long absence the most informative newspaper on sustainable farming will start reappearing on the shelves of newsagents soon.

EVENTS

BioFach, the World Organic Trade Fair, 21-24 February 2008
The OFA is coordinating the Australian Organic Products Stand at Biofach, in Germany in February 2007. Biofach is the world’s largest exhibition of organic goods and services. It is an excellent opportunity to sell Australian products to buyers from all over the world. If you are interested in exhibiting and/or promoting your product, the information and costs are on the front page of our website. www.ofa.org.au

2,600 exhibitors will present their products to the some 45,000 visitors at BioFach 2008, the World Organic Trade Fair and the organic world’s most important get-together. BioFach, which takes place in Nuremberg from 21-24 February, has another highlight lined up for 2008 – the new Wine Hall 4A. This puts organic wine in the limelight and the culinary event worlds in the Wine Hall have some real organic delights in store for visitors. Vivaness, the Trade Fair for Natural Personal Care and Wellness in hall 7A and part of hall 7, celebrates its first birthday in 2008.

The 16th IFOAM Organic World Congress
June 18-20 2008 in Modena, Italy

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.

Organic Update is a publication of the Organic Federation of Australia
Phone +61 1300 657 435
PO Box 369 Bellingen NSW 2454 Australia
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