Peter Cundall Receives OFA Lifetime Achievement Award
Peter Cundall, the popular host of ABC TV’s Gardening Australia program, has been awarded the Organic Federation of Australia’s (OFA) Lifetime Achievement Award.

The OFA board was unanimous in selecting Peter for this award. He has been inspirational. He has spent more than forty years promoting organic gardening in Australia. This includes his work on ABC Radio, ABC TV and in print. Very importantly, Peter played a major role in the formation of the Organic Gardening and Farming Society, establishing twenty branches in different parts of Tasmania in the 1970s.

"This is one of the greatest honours I have ever had. I am thrilled to bits to receive this award," Peter Cundall said.

Capra Cheese Wins Two Gold Medals
OFA members Emma & Matthew Gurnsey have won two gold medals at the prestigious Australian Specialist Cheesemakers’ Show. Capra Organic Goat’s Cheese was awarded the gold medals for their ‘Allegro’ and ‘Mountain Ash’ cheeses.

Capra’s award-winning goat’s milk cheeses are available from a number of organic grocers, good delicatessens and retailers throughout Victoria including Macro Wholefoods Market - Richmond, Black Rock, Glen Waverley, and Sprout Organic Grocer - Hawthorn. The full range is also available for tastings and sales every Saturday at Farmer’s Markets throughout East Gippsland (Bairnsdale, Metung, Sale & Traralgon). For more information contact Emma & Matthew Gurnsey on (03) 5156 9312 or capracheese@activ8.net.au

Organic Eggs – Federal Court Decision – The Need for an Australian Standard
By John Furbank

In August 2007 the Federal Court Judge, the Hon Justice Gray gave a largely unreported but important judgement, particularly to the organic food industry and consumers, concerning an alleged misleading or deceptive representation that eggs were ‘organic’’.

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) and an egg producer and retailer, G O Drew Pty Ltd, had sought consent orders under the Trade Practices Act to prevent the company from labelling eggs as ‘organic’ which were not organic. Consent orders were also sought to prevent future claims that eggs supplied by the company are certified by NASAA (National Association for Sustainable Agriculture Australia) or produced by a NASAA certified producer when they are not so certified or produced.

The parties had supported their view that the eggs were not organic because ‘eggs labelled as organic’ were different to eggs not so labelled, having regard to the chemicals, feed and other substances used in the production of eggs’. However, Justice Gray stated ‘attempts to overcome the lack of clear criteria by which it can be said eggs are, or are not, organic have been unsuccessful’.

The judge found, in effect, that at the present time, the meaning of the description ‘organic’ is imprecise and there is no general agreement on precisely what inputs may be regarded as artificial or chemical and to be avoided in the production of organic foods. Justice Gray agreed with the parties that the false claims of NASAA certification or production were misleading or deceptive.

This decision stresses the need for an Australian National Standard where the meaning of ‘organic’ may be clearly defined with supporting criteria and parameters.

The company voluntarily undertook remedial action, which included paying $270,000 to assist in the development of a uniform industry code (a Standard) and otherwise support organic food producers. It has been agreed to pay the Organic Federation of Australia $216,000 and NASAA $54,000.
John Furbank, is a member of the Consumers Federation of Australia, the OFA, the Standards Australia FT-032 Organic and Biodynamic Products Committee and author of Buying and Selling Organic Food.

Call For More Organic Dairy Farmers
The rising consumer demand for Organic Dairy products has finally hit Australia after several years of stellar growth in USA and Europe. As a result, Australia’s leading supplier of Organic Milk - the Organic Dairy Farmers Co-operative (ODF) is now calling for more new suppliers of Organic milk.

Announcing the call, Chairman of ODF, Mr. Terry Hehir said, "In 2002 a dedicated group of organic dairy farmers came together to establish the Co-operative. After several years of laying the foundation for an integrated organic milk supply chain, the Co-operative currently supplies 80% of Australia’s Certified organic milk. This well-developed supply chain allows farmers, processors and retailers the logistics and security to participate in the fastest growing segment of agriculture."

"We have established strong alliances with other co-operatives such as Murray Goulburn, Bega/Tatura and with leading milk processor Parmalat. These alliances provide the vital critical mass and broader opportunity to participate in this *emerging, high value sector. Our farmers have the security of a three year contract which may begin as soon as they reach the in-conversion stage of certification. " he added.

ODF owns the "True Organic" brand which recently launched a premium organic cheese range including Cheddar, Gouda, Edam, Pecorino and Brie and are currently developing other organic dairy products.

For farmers who have been drawn to organic farming but unsure of ‘how to’ convert, ODF offers an opportunity to find out through FREE literature and an obligation-free, information evening outlining incentives for interested farmers. Mr Hehir explains some of the processes involved, "It is important that Organic farmers have a holistic approach to their farming. Typically, organic dairy farmers use biological farming methods to develop a healthy, living soil not dependent on soluble chemical fertilisers. They successfully manage animal health without antibiotics, chemicals or hormones and embrace nature's natural diversity without the spectre of GMO".

Registration is free for all Australian based Suppliers and Retailers in the natural and organic industry and letters were sent to all industry participants over recent weeks. Over 500 companies have already registered. Further information: Natural & Organic Directory on 03 9696 7200. www.NaturalAndOrganicDirectory.com

The 2006-07 Australian Organic Market Report Survey
The University of New England is conducting the 2006-07 Australian Organic Market Report Survey to get some good data on the size of the organic production in Australia. The details can be found on the OFA Web Site www.ofa.org.au

The Rocks Farmers’ Market
The Market will trade on Friday and Saturday each week from the second weekend of December 2007. The Sydney Harbour Foreshore Authority is offering stalls free of charge for the first 3 months of operation. There will be space for approximately 30 stallholders at this stage, with the capacity to grow according to demand. They will provide trestle tables and shelter (either an umbrella or a small fete stall type structure). They can offer parking for trucks in a designated parking zone and are also negotiating a special flat 2-day rate with a local parking station. Sydney Harbour Foreshore Authority will heavily market the new Farmers’ Market using newspapers, magazines and radio.
Contact Annabel Porter: phone 02 9240 8739, fax 02 9271 5327, mobile 0411 268 618 or email annabel.porter@shfa.nsw.gov.au.
The initial call for applications closes Friday 26 October.

Pesticide News

Low Levels of Pesticides Cause Testicular Cancer, Breast Cancers and Polycystic Ovaries
The serious emerging issue is the synergistic effect of the cocktail of toxic compounds that we consume through our food. Currently most chemicals are tested in isolation and not in the real world situation where they are combined with many others. New Scientist reported in September that chemicals that are ‘safe’ on their own, can act synergistically when combined and cause significant problems.