Organic Federation of Australia

'The Peak Body for the Australian Organic Sector'

www.ofa.org.au

Organic Update Nov 2007

  • CONCLUSIVE EVIDENCE OF ORGANIC NUTRITIONAL BENEFITS
  • Compelling Evidence Linking Cancer With Chemical Exposures
  • Australian Standard Update
  • Organic Agriculture Symposium
  • Organic Food Chain Drought Party Day
  • GMO Moratoria
  • International Organic News
  • EVENTS

Chairs Report

Organic is Healthier
This issue of organic update features the most recent study into the nutritional benefits of organic food, showing conclusive evidence that it does have higher levels beneficial compounds. The large study by 33 academic centres across Europe confirms the data from 83 other studies showing that on average organic food has greater amounts of vitamins, minerals and cancer fighting antioxidants.

A US government review of recent scientific studies has found compelling evidence linking cancer with chemical exposures. This study adds to the ever growing body of science showing that exposures to small amounts of pesticides is one of the causes of the cancer epidemic.

The OFA is concerned that several state governments plan to let the GMO moratoria lapse and allow the mass introduction of these largely untested organisms into the environment and food chain. We are disappointed that that these governments have not seriously considered the growing body of science showing a wide range of adverse health reactions to these artificially constructed organisms.

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

Best Regards
Andre

Organic Health News

LARGEST EVER STUDY PROVIDES CONCLUSIVE EVIDENCE OF ORGANIC NUTRITIONAL BENEFITS
The largest ever study into organic products has found that organic food is more nutritious. The Newcastle University study found that organic vegetable crops contained up to 40% more beneficial compounds and organic milk contained over 90% more nutrients than conventionally produced milk.

The research was conducted at a 725-acre farm in Newcastle upon Tyne in a four year, A$30M experiment funded by the European Union. Researchers from Newcastle University created two identical farms; one managed using conventional farming practices and the other managed organically. 33 academic centres across Europe participated in this four year project. The resounding conclusion was that the organic produce contained higher levels of compounds thought to boost health and combat disease.

Professor Carlo Leifert, the co-ordinator of the European-funded project said in a UK Sunday Times article that the differences were so marked that organic produce would help to increase the nutrient intake of people not eating the recommended five portions a day of fruit and vegetables. He was quoted as saying, "If you have just 20% more antioxidants and you can’t get your kids to do five a day, then you might just be okay with four a day."

While the study did find that some conventional crops contained larger quantities of some vitamins, the research has confirmed that the overall trend is that organic fruit, vegetables and milk are more likely to have beneficial compounds.

This report lends credibility to the 83 peer reviewed public reports that say that on average, organic food has a higher nutrient content. Of significant importance is that the study involved 33 academic institutions across Europe led by Newcastle University, and as a result, it has enormous scientific credibility. The significant increase in anti-inflammatory and cancer fighting compounds shows that organic food is excellent value for consumers.

US Government Study Finds Compelling Evidence Linking Cancer With Chemical Exposures
A US government review of recent scientific studies has found compelling evidence linking cancer with chemical exposures. The researchers found: Breast cancer from exposure to the pesticide DDT before puberty; Prostate cancer from exposure to pesticides and metal working fluids; Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma from exposure to pesticides and solvents; Leukemia from exposure to 1,3-butadiene; plus a variety of cancers from exposure to pesticides based on early findings from the US Federal Government's Agricultural Health Study.

The new report, titled "Environmental and Occupational Causes of Cancer: New Evidence, 2005-2007," by Richard Clapp, Molly Jacobs and Edward Loechler, synthesizes the recent peer-reviewed scientific literature related to environmental and occupational exposures and cancer. Source Rachel's Democracy & Health News #933, Nov. 15, 2007

Australian Organic News

Australian Standard Update
The development of the Australian Standard is progressing well. The OFA has put up a discussion document on our website with a proposal on how to regulate the new standard. All stakeholders are welcome to comment.

Executive Summary
  • The absence of regulation of organic products in the Australian market is a significant problem
  • An Australian Standard for Organic and Biodynamic Products is due for completion in December 2008
  • Products labelled as organic or biodynamic come under the jurisdiction of the existing Australian regulatory systems
  • The Australian Standard for Organic and Biodynamic Products to be declared by the responsible Minister under the TRADE PRACTICES ACT 1974 - SECT 65E
  • The Australian Standard for Organic and Biodynamic Products to be called up into the FSANZ Food Standards Code
  • The certification of organic products must be mandated in regulations
  • Certifying bodies (CBs) to be accredited by Competent Authorities (CAs) to ISO 65
  • The CA must be either appointed by their relevant government or conform to the accepted international requirements for Accreditation Bodies (ABs) to ISO 17011
  • Options for certification requirements for imported products

http://www.ofa.org.au/papers/OFA_Australian_Standard_Regulatory_Proposal_Nov_07.pdf

Organic Agriculture Symposium
Saturday December 1st 2007 9.30am to 3.30pm
The Organic Federation of Australia and the Institute of Agriculture at The University of Western Australia are presenting at the 7th Annual Organic Symposium to be held at Simmonds Lecture Theatre, UWA on Saturday December 1st 2007.

The Symposium will include updates on the Western Australian, the National and the International Organic Industry, as well as reports on research at UWA. The ever popular grower’s stories will also be an important part of the day.

The Symposium will include an Organic Federation of Australia presentation on mitigating effects organic production methods on climate change. Panel discussion will allow members of the audience to have their say. This Symposium will be equally relevant to industry practitioners and consumers of organic products.

Cost of the day is $35 including lunch and refreshments. For more information or to register please contact Annie Dunn on 92427711 or by email to labbott@cyllene.uwa.edu.au

Organic Food Chain Drought Party Day
30th November 2007 10am to 4pm.
Where: Wedgetail Ridge Winery, Kingsthorpe Qld. (20 mins west of Toowoomba)

A fun day to provide light relief in a casual atmosphere with friends and like – minded people. Featuring information on drought assistance & business development.

Opportunity to participate in organic industry "Think Tank" with the Organic Federation of Australia (OFA).

Morning, Afternoon Tea, Lunch and Refreshments provided. All Welcome
The Organic Food Chain Pty Ltd. PO Box 2390 Toowoomba Qld 4350
ph (07) 4637 2600 fax (07) 4696 7689 email: organicfoodchain@bigpond.com.au

Coles Joins Food Industry in Speaking out Against GE Food Crops
Supermarket giant Coles has joined industry leaders in speaking out against genetically engineered (GE) food, as the Victorian Government looks set to announce the lifting of their ban on the commercial growing of GE food crops.

When asked what Coles' position was, at a Parliamentary forum on Tuesday, Coles representative Chris Mara stated that, "Coles listens to our customers and over 90% do not want GM ingredients in their food and Coles whole private label range of 'Smart Buy', 'You'll Love Coles' and 'Coles Finest' exclude all GM ingredients in response to customer concerns."

Coles statements come hot on the heels of Goodman Fielder, Australia's largest food company, Tatiara Meats, Australia’s largest lamb exporter and 250 other food companies calling on the State Governments to extend their bans on GE Food crops.

"Gene Ethics Director Bob Phelps says, "Agribusiness has clearly not won the confidence of the rest of the food industry when it comes to GE crops. Until they have the bans should stay."

State Governments introduced the moratoria on GE food crops in 2004 because of concerns within industry, the farming sector and regional communities about the impact of GE crops on markets. The Victorian government is set to make its decision to lift the ban based on the findings of a commissioned report by Sir Gus Nossal's report recently submitted to cabinet. However, the report, which has not been released to the public, only investigates trade implications and does not examine health or environmental risks.

For more information: www.gefreeaustralia.org.au
Bob Phelps Gene Ethics 0408 195 099

The Safety of GMOs not Fully Tested.
The Organic Federation of Australia (OFA) believes that the current risks of using genetic engineering in agriculture will outweigh any benefits. We believe that a moratorium on the commercial release of these unique organisms should continue until significant scientific and regulatory issues are resolved and it can be proven that the benefits outweigh the negatives.

There are several well documented cases where GMO’s have proven unsafe for human and animal consumption.

  • A genetically engineered L-tryptophan supplement was marketed in the US in 1989 by Showa Denko KK. Within a few months of being sold it had caused the deaths of 37 Americans and the permanent disability of over 1,500 others. (Source: House of Representatives 1991. FDA’s Regulation of the Dietary Supplement L-Tryptophan.) By late March 1990, 1,411 cases had been reported to the Center for Disease Control (CDC). The agency’s final total estimate of the number of cases was 5,000 to 10,000.
  • A genetically modified field pea, developed by CSIRO to be resistant to insect attacks has been shown to cause illness when fed to mice. CSIRO decided to abandon the project when the mice developed lung inflammation.
  • There are now three feeding trials of GM potatoes, all of which show negative health effects Two of these: Ewen and Pusztai, 1999; Fares and El-Sayed, 1998, showed significant organ damage. The results of the latest trial of GM potatoes were published and showed that the potatoes caused 'considerable damage to the organs of the rats in the study'. Dr Irina Ermakova of the Russian Academy of Science said that the GM potatoes were ‘toxic’ to lab rats and ‘cannot be used in the nourishment of people’.

It is our understanding that most of the current GMO’s in commercial and trial production have not had the scientific rigour of the above pea and potato trials and the safety of these products is unknown.

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 will be on the front page of our website soon. www.ofa.org.au

Organic Cotton Production Booming
Organic Exchange has issued its 2007 "Organic Cotton Market Report": 58,000 tonnes of certified organic cotton were produced in 2006/2007, compared to 38,000 tonnes the year before, continuing the average 50% annual growth rate of recent years. Source: PAN UK/PAN Germany

Organic Sales Increase in the Netherlands
Organic sales in the Netherlands were 258 million EUR in the first half of 2007, which is 15 % up on the same period of the previous year. The total food market grew by 8.5 %, reports Biologica’s Bio-Monitor. The organic share of the food market is currently 2 %.

Sales by discounters Aldi, Lidl and Koopconsult particularly boosted the result with 40 % growth over the previous year. The catering sector also managed to expand by 21 %. Sales achieved by organic food stores grew by 12 % to 106 million EUR. On the other hand, the area of land farmed organically dropped by 1.5 % from 48,424 ha to 47,674 ha. Source Biofach

Danish Organic Market Reaches 5%>
According to Dansk Statistics, the organic share of sales of the total food market in Denmark rose from 4 % to 5 % from 2005 to 2006. Total organic sales amounted to 454 million EUR compared with 384 million EUR in 2005, which equates to 18 % growth. A quarter (24 %) of the milk produced in Denmark comes from organic farms.

EVENTS

Organic Food Chain Drought Party Day
30th November 2007 10am to 4pm.
Where: Wedgetail Ridge Winery, Kingsthorpe Qld. (20 mins west of Toowoomba)

A fun day to provide light relief in a casual atmosphere with friends and like – minded people. Featuring information on drought assistance & business development.

Opportunity to participate in organic industry "Think Tank" with the Organic Federation of Australia (OFA).

Morning, Afternoon Tea, Lunch and Refreshments provided. All Welcome
The Organic Food Chain Pty Ltd. PO Box 2390 Toowoomba Qld 4350
ph (07) 4637 2600 fax (07) 4696 7689 email: organicfoodchain@bigpond.com.au

The Organic Federation of Australia and University of Western Australia Annual Organic Symposium
Saturday December 1st - 9.30 am to 3.30 pm Simmonds Theatre, University of WA

  • Local and interstate speakers on research and practice.
  • Industry updates
  • Climate change
  • Supply chain stories

Information, discussion and stories of practical experience, with a morning tea and lunch included.
Contact Annie at Absolutely Organic WA Ph: 92427711

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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