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Organic Industry Update, February 2003
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| Chairman's Report |
1. Second National Organic Conference
"ORGANIC FUTURES FOR AUSTRALIA"
to be held at the University of Adelaide on 2,3 & 4 October 2003.
Preparations are continuing for this, our second national conference. The conference brochure will be printed and sent out in the next few weeks. If you wish to ensure you receive it, please register your interest by sending an email to ofaconf@nasaa.com.au or contact Cat Mills on (08) 8370 8455 - or c/- P.O. Box 768, Stirling, SA, 5152.
Already many have expressed interest in attending, and some have offered to present papers.
Overseas speakers who have indicated their intention to attend are Robert Duxbury of Sainsbury's in the UK, and Urs Nigli, a member of FiBL, Switzerland.
Starting in the March Newsletter there will be a Conference Update contributed by Cat Mills of the Conference Secretariat in Adelaide.
As stated in the last Newsletter, the Conference will feature future challenges for all facets of the Australian Organic Industry. Special emphasis will be placed on:
a) best ways of utilising limited water resources on farms
b) managing difficult soils
c) the science of organic agriculture, and
d) working the supply chains to the best advantage of grower, processor and
consumer.
There will also be opportunities for submitted papers on other topics.
2. OFA - An Information Service
Over the past few months I have been receiving phone calls (about 5 per day) redirected from our former office phone number in Sydney. It is interesting to reflect on the nature of these calls, many of which are from consumers seeking retail outlets, or sources of particular organic products. These enquiries have been about such products as organic meat, fruit & vegetables, cotton, sheepskins, olive oil, to mention a few.
There have also been many trade enquiries, including the procedures for certification, possible sources of raw materials for processing, and the validity of organic water. In many cases it has been suggested to these trade enquirers that they contact the certifiers.
The printed and website directories have been very useful tools, enabling callers to be referred to them and also assisting me to respond.
Most of the callers have been from Sydney, since the number is listed in the Sydney phone directories. However there have been a number of calls from country NSW and other states (Qld, Vic, Tas & SA).
The above indicates that there is a need for an organic information service to the trade sector, and to consumers, which is independent and impartial. This is obviously a service OFA could provide, assuming it has sufficient resources.
3. Sydney Fine Food Fair - September 2003
The Fine Food Fair will be in Sydney this year, and the organisers have again dedicated a section to Organic (and Natural) Foods.
Following the successful OFA stand at the last Fair in Melbourne in September 2002, OFA is planning to have a stand in Sydney in October 2003. At the Melbourne Fair the OFA stand fielded many enquiries and provided information to many on a wide range of topics related to the Australian organic industry. Many trade enquiries were able to be referred on to processors, importers & exporters, and farmers. Updates on this event will be provided in later newsletters.
4. Combined Organic Magazine
The bush telegraph has probably informed most of you that BFA & NASAA will be combining their magazines in future (see media release below). This forward thinking initiative will reduce costs to both organisations as well as provide a more unifying voice for a large segment of the Australian organic industry. I believe that the increased combined circulation is already attracting more advertisers so that the magazine will be self-supporting. The editor will be Suzie Moore of the BFA office, with an Editorial Committee from both organisations. Congratulations to BFA & NASAA on this most enterprising move.
5. The Drought Continues
I do not have to remind any of you of this. The prolonged absence of rain has created many difficulties for organic farmers and the downstream impacts are starting to magnify. Fodder prices have risen substantially, if organic fodder is available at all.
And commodity prices have started to rise as some products become scarce, and as a result of increased fodder prices - e.g. eggs. And there are anticipated rises in flour costs and hence bread prices.
Whilst it is hoped that rains come soon, there will then be a long recovery
period until things get back to normal. And perhaps there are some lessons to
be learnt, and warnings for the future, regarding our water management strategies,
both macro at a state and national level, and micro on the farm. Hence the special
sessions at the forthcoming National Conference in Adelaide.
Sid Cowling
OFA Chairman
| Royal Agricultural Society of Victoria Workshop |
Royal Melbourne Showgrounds, 21 November 2002
Report by Liz Clay
Background:
Royal Agricultural Society (RAS) through the Victorian Department of Innovation,
Industry and Regional Development (DIIRD - Dominic O'Brien, Client manager Food
Group), approached IFOAM/OFA to be involved in a set of parallel workshops facilitated
and supported by RAS aimed at assisting the development of export opportunities
in three areas - through Education, Identifying issues relating to the Cool-Chain
(i.e. airport and handling facilities), and organic agriculture.
OFA members were invited which included board members as "industry experts" and traders (8). Other present included AQIS Jenny Barnes (Organic export market access expert), Alan Edwards (AFFA - Organic industry contact), Fay Steinhouse (Avcare rep and secretary to GTGC), Denise Miller (RIRDC)
Presentations to the workshop-
Jenny Barnes - Outlined the AQIS program, successes and challenges in
accessing international markets. Generally well recognized successes for government
to government recognition of the Australian organic program to access international
markets thanks to the work done by AQIS, however this is not so with the US
access at this point in time.
Liz Clay - Outlined IFOAM's strategy to streamline international trade in organics pivotal to which is national governments' recognition of non-government accreditation systems, and one agreed-to international standard with regional variations to the standards to account for the diversity of regions, geography, climatic conditions and cultures that exist throughout the world. The IFOAM program also provides access into markets where government programs are not a priority. These markets include some of the major supermarkets in Europe who have policies that preference IFOAM accredited certification programs. Such a program would assist the currently expensive, exclusive, messy, trade systems that are in place at this point in time and would be of particular benefit to trade situation in developing countries and the development of organic agriculture generally in the South.
Alan Edwards - Outlined some of the key issues relating to importer expectations. These included packaging, handling, labeling, consistency, communications.
Outcomes of the Workshop
Three priorities were identified by the participants. These were further discussed
and the following actions recorded.
Harmonization
Action 1
To develop a mechanism which harmonizes certification between Export and Domestic
and between domestic and imported products.
Who: AQIS and Industry initiated by OFA and AFFA.
Outcome: An ongoing register of Certified bodies which are deemed equivalent
operating systems. This register would provide Australian processors and certifiers
with a basis for determining equivalence.
Also, to seek ACCC definition of "Certified Organic"
Action 2:
Alternative phytosanitary treatments of exported and imported fresh foods for
pests and diseases.
Who: AQIS, and Industry initiated by OFA, AQIS and
Outcome: A brief which identifies impediments and proposes alternative
to regulators. A code of conduct taken up by industry.
Supply Chain
Action: To engage industry expert group to undertake global case studies
of successful supply / demand chain processes.
Who: Diverse industry representatives, growers, processors, marketers,
researches. RAS proposal to RIRDC.
Outcome: Challenge the current and future participants to rise to the
unique opportunity to participate on a unique and potentially lucrative industry
or be condemned to the status quo.
Education
Action 1. To develop a précis of organic requirements and principles
as a summary for new producers and organic consumers.
Who: Industry and AFFA
Outcome: Precis published on the industry and government websites.
Action 2. To develop a statement/program for community to understand
what is meant by "certified organic".
Who: AFFA, NRE and Industry
Outcome: Pilot symposium to develop a "certified organic" awareness
strategy
Summary:
A useful half day to discuss, identify and plan priorities. Grateful for
RAS initiative and look forward to working with them again. Dominic O'Brien
from DIIRD is keen to assist the industry in which ever way he can.
Networking was most important and particularly the opportunity to engage the trade sector. They had a lot to say and an important contribution to make.
In the wash up it was clear that the important issues identified by this diverse group must be adequately addressed. The question is what is the responsibility of government and that of industry in moving this forward.
| OFA Website Developments |
Streamlined Directory Search Page
The search page for the OFA website directory is in the process of being
streamlined and simplified. The improvement will make it easier to search, and
bring more successful and consistent results. This work is in the final stages
of development and is expected to be complete very soon. The directory is an
important feature of the OFA website, and provides the most complete database
of organic enterprises in Australia. This current upgrade is expected to increase
the use of the directory as an important industry resource.
Newsletter Subscription Made Easier
We are pleased to report that subscriptions to this OFA Organic Industry
Update are increasing rapidly. And it is now easier to subscribe. We have streamlined
and simplified the subscription page on the website to be a simple two step
process. New subscribers simply enter their email address and click subscribe.
Of course you'll now tell your friends to rush to the site and subscribe, right
(?) .........
Organic Marketplace Registrations to Begin
February will see the opening of registration pages for the Organic Marketplace,
which is displayed on the OFA website. You will soon be able to subscribe to
the Organic Marketplace, and display your offers to buy and sell to traders
around the world. The Organic Marketplace pages are currently viewed by around
6,000 people each month.
New facility - Would you like the Australian Organic Events Calendar on
your website ?
Very soon you will be able to display Australia's national organic events calendar
on your own website. A great feature to add to your site to keep your visitors
returning for event information. It will be very easy to to do - just create
a link to the special shared events page (we'll give you the page address in
the next issue). You can present it in any way you like - within your own website
frames or as a popup page. Once you have made the link you never have to update
anything. The events calendar will be updated automatically on our server and
each time you visit, the new events will be listed.
Feedback about the OFA website and Organic Industry Update is welcome.
Dom O'Brien
Website Manager
| OPAQ Conference - Update #6 |
Last Call for Papers
Submissions of one page paper summaries and extracts were due 1 February 2003.
Whether you are a scientist, farmer, wholesaler, manufacturer we all make up
this growth industry. This is your opportunity to contribute to the first ever
Queensland Organics Conference by way of speaking about your knowledge and/or
participation in the industry.
Looking forward to the next Queensland Organics Conference
The conference committee is looking to hand over the the organising reigns to
another regional Organic industry body for the next Queensland Organics Conference.
Those interested should contact the current committee as it is intended the
next regional organisers will be announced at this years conference.
Dr Elaine Ingham agrees to be International Keynote Speaker
Elaine Ingham, well regarded soil scientist, has agreed to give the opening
International Keynote speech and will focus on the conference theme surrounding
the interconnectedness of Soil and Society. Dr Ingham's appointment enhances
the standing of the conference and will create a lot of interest from potential
delegates.
Contact:
Rosemary Burgess
Chair, Inaugural Queensland Organics Conference Committee
Tel: 07 4067 6492 ( 1 - 3 pm weekdays), E-mail: rburgess@austarnet.com.au
Post: PO Box 116 Mirriwinni Qld 4871
Website: www.geocities.com/opaq2001
The Biological Farmers of Australia (BFA) and the National Association for Sustainable Agriculture Australia (NASAA) wish to advise that the official journal of NASAA, the NASAA Bulletin, will be merged with the Australian Organic Journal published by the BFA. The first edition of the joint journal will be issued in March 2003 and quarterly thereafter. It will continue to be published by BFA and called the Australian Organic Journal.
Both organisations intend to continue to produce their own in-house Newsletters on standards, technical and scientific matters for their respective clients.
The joint publication will build on the repositioning initiatives already underway
in the Australian Organic Journal, namely its
· generic emphasis and orientation
· coverage of the entire organic supply chain from paddock to plate
· broader appeal to the consumer readership
· showcasing of the Australian organic industry and its products overseas.
The enlarged Journal will have an initial print run of around 6000 copies bringing considerable economies of scale in printing and distribution costs. Advertisers will reach a larger audience for the one outlay. For their annual subscriptions, members and licensees of both organisations will receive a comprehensive journal with more pages and broader based content. Copies will be available for resale through other industry organisations and retail outlets.
Suzi Moore of BFA will continue to edit and produce the new Journal. Tim Marshall has been retained to write an industry perspective feature article for each issue in addition to any freelance contributions he might make. Additional regular contributions from a range of other fields including consumer issues, health and nutrition, R&D and industry technical matters will also be a feature of the publication.
Advertising, articles and commentary from throughout the industry are welcomed.
Enquiries to: George Devrell - CEO NASAA (08) 8370 8455
Andy Monk - CEO BFA (07) 4639 3299
For advertising and contributions: Suzie Moore: media@bfa.com.au
|
SPECIAL FEATURE - Glyphosate: A Review of its Health and Environmental Effects |
By Andre Leu
Glyphosate is the active ingredient of some of the most common herbicides used in farming and gardening. These products have been promoted as quickly biodegradable and non toxic. People believe that they are so safe that you can drink a cup of these herbicides without any ill effect.
Consequently, it is sprayed on roadsides while people are driving, on footpaths
when people are shopping and in schoolyards and sports fields, exposing children
to drift and residues. People buy it from supermarkets or garden shops and use
it without any protective clothing because it is deemed 'safe'. It is sprayed
in national parks and other environmentally sensitive areas in the belief that
it is not toxic and/or residual.
I continuously hear primary industries officers and other agricultural specialists
telling farmers that it is not necessary to wear any protective clothing because
it is harmless.
Unfortunately, the facts show that this is not the case. While pure Glyphosate has a low acute toxicity (the amount needed to cause death), when it is sold as a commercial herbicide it is combined with surfactants and other ingredients to make it more effective at killing plants. Studies show that the commercial products, such as Round Up, can be three times more toxic than pure glyphosate.
Health Problems - so safe that you can drink it.
Japanese researchers analysing suicides have found that drinking ¾
of a cup (200 millilitres) of commercial glyphosate products is fatal.
Survivors (those who consumed less than ¾ of a cup) suffered a range of severe health problems. These problems included intestinal pain, vomiting, erosion of the gastrointestinal tract, excess fluid in the lungs, pneumonia, lung dysfunction, clouding of consciousness, destruction of red blood cells, abnormal electrocardiograms, low blood pressure, kidney damage and damage to the larynx. It is important to note that damage to the kidneys and the lungs is usually permanent. These body tissues do not repair themselves, instead forming scar tissue that does not function to help filter toxins from the blood or breathe oxygen.
In California, where there is a mandatory system of reporting pesticide poisoning, Glyphosate is the third most common cause of pesticide illness in farm workers. It is the most common form of reported pesticide poisoning in landscape gardeners.
Two separate studies in Sweden have linked exposure to Glyphosate to Hairy Cell Leukemia and non-Hodgkins lymphoma. These types of cancers were extremely rare, however non-Hodgkins lymphoma is the most rapidly increasing cancer in the Western world. It has risen by 73% in the USA since 1973. Another study has found a higher incidence of Parkinson disease amongst farmers who used herbicides, including Glyphosate.
Other studies show that Glyphosate and commercial herbicides containing Glyphosate cause a range of cell mutations and damage to cell DNA. These types of changes are usually regarded as precursors to cancer and birth defects.
Reproductive Effects
Studies show that exposure to Glyphosate is associated with a range
of reproductive effects in humans and other species. Research from Ontario,
Canada found that a father's exposure to Glyphosate was linked to an increase
in miscarriages and premature births in farm families.
Glyphosate caused a decrease in the sperm count of rats and an increase in abnormal and dead sperms in rabbits. Pregnant rabbits exposed to Glyphosate had a decrease in the weight of their babies.
Residual
The proponents of Glyphosate herbicides promote them as environmentally
friendly or benign. They say that they breakdown very quickly in the environment.
The facts show otherwise. A report from The United States Environmental Protection Agency states that Glyphosate is '…extremely persistent under typical application conditions'. It is one of the most residual herbicides, with studies in Sweden showing that one application can last up to 3 years.
In warmer climates, it can take less than a year per application for Glyphosate to degrade. However, when it breaks down it does not disappear into harmless basic elements. It degrades into an even more residual compound called aminomethylphosphonic acid (AMPA). While AMPA has a low acute toxicity, the studies conducted on this compound show that it damages the livers and bladders of rats. Unfortunately, very few long term health and environmental studies are conducted on the breakdown products of synthetic chemicals.
Residues of Glyphosate have been found in a variety of fruits and vegetables. This is because it readily moves into all parts of a plant. As it is inside the plant tissues, it cannot be washed off.
Residues can be detected long after glyphosate treatments have been made. One study showed that lettuces contained residues five months after the field was treated with glyphosate. The disturbing thing about this research is that the lettuce seedlings were planted four months after the field was sprayed for weeds. The seedlings absorbed the glyphosate from the soil residues.
A World Health Organisation study revealed significant Glyphosate residues
in wheat after harvest. Milling did not remove it, as it moves into the plant
and the wheat seed. The study showed that cooking does not break down Glyphosate.
Environmental Effects
Glyphosate based herbicides have been shown to cause a significant decline of
beneficial insect species in farms. Studies by the International Organization
for Biological Control and other researchers have found that between 50 to 80
percent of beneficial insects are killed from exposure to residues of a Glyphosate
herbicide.
Glyphosate is very toxic to fish and other aquatic organisms. Concentrations
as low as 10 parts per million can kill fish. Daphnia, a very important part
of the aquatic food chain, especially for fish, can be killed by as little as
three parts per million. This is an important reason why it should not be used
near waterways or in drains.
Glyphosate is extremely toxic to the soil life. One application can cause a
dramatic plunge in the n umber of beneficial soil microorganisms and arthropods.
Studies show a reduction in the species that build humus, thus it contributes
to the decline in soil organic matter.
Glyphosate significantly reduces the activity of nitrogen-fixing bacteria. These bacteria transform soil nitrogen into forms that plants can use. Studies of Soybeans grown for nitrogen fixation showed a reduction in the number of rhizobium bacteria and the nitrogen they produce when Glyphosate was used for weed control.
Other studies show that Glyphosate herbicides increase the susceptibility of plants to diseases. This is partly because it reduces the growth of mycorrhizal fungi and other beneficial fungi that help plants absorb nutrients and help fight disease. However, plants suffer more disease, as there is an increase in the soil pathogens and a decrease beneficial species that control diseases after an application Glyphosate.
Glyphosate exposure damages or reduces the populations of earthworms. A New Zealand study showed that 5% of the usual application rate caused delayed development and increased death in earthworms.
Glyphosate reduces populations of small mammals and birds by damaging the vegetation that provides food and shelter for these animals.
The populations of all of these living organisms can take years to recover due to Glyphosate's persistence in the soil.
Spray Drift
Glyphosate spray drift from both ground and aerial applications has
been measured from 400 to 800 meters from the target site. Studies have shown
that Glyphosate drift will cause more severe and extensive damage than many
other herbicides. This is because it is a broad spectrum, non-selective herbicide
and it is transported throughout the plant causing damage to the unexposed parts.
This damage, when it does not kill the plants, can last for many years.
Drift that is one thousand times less than the usual application rates has been shown to damage surrounding vegetation, including the killing of wild plants. This is an important reason why it should not be used in national parks and environmentally sensitive areas for weed control.
Genetic Engineering
The use of glyphosate is expected to increase substantially in the
next few years because several genetically engineered crops are "Roundup
Ready" and will be grown by many farmers.
This expected increase in use has resulted in an application for the MRL (residue level) for glyphosate to be increased by 200 percent. This need to increase the permitted residue levels is due to genetically engineered herbicide tolerant crops using more chemicals, not less as the proponents of GMO's claim. These crops cannot be legally sold in Australia under the present residue levels, as the increased number of sprays will mean higher residue levels.
This need for a dramatic increase in residues demonstrates that this herbicide is residual. If it is rapidly degraded and leaves no residues as it commonly claimed, why is there a need for such a large increase on residues on the crop?
The persistent nature of these residues in genetically engineered food crops such as Soybeans, Corn and Canola is another reason why we need mandatory labeling of all GMOs. We need to have the freedom of choice to avoid foods that we believe will contain residues of toxic chemicals.
This is a very good reason for eating organic foods.
Conclusion
Glyphosate is widely used in the mistaken belief that it is harmless,
safe and readily breaks down leaving no residues. Consequently, it is sprayed
in public areas while people are present and by operators without protective
clothing. These people are exposed to the drift of this herbicide. The facts
show that Glyphosate causes a range of health problems to humans, plants and
animals, it causes environmental problems and that it is highly persistent.
It is time that the widespread use of this toxic chemical on roadsides, footpaths,
parks, gardens, schools, farms, forestry, national parks etc was stopped or
highly restricted.
Acknowledgments and References
Most of the information for this article came from an excellent paper
authored by Caroline Cox in the JOURNAL OF PESTICIDE REFORM, Fall 1998, Vol.18,
No. 3
Updated 01-02, Northwest Coalition Against Pesticides, Eugene, Oregon.
Lehmann V. and Pengue W. (2000), Herbicide Tolerant Soybean: Just another step
in a technology treadmill? Biotechnology and Development Monitor. September
2000.
Nordstrom M. et al, (1998), "Occupational exposures, animal exposure, and smoking as risk factors for hairy cell leukaemia evaluated in a case-control study," BRITISH JOURNAL OF CANCER Vol. 77 (1998), pgs. 2048-2052.
Hardell L. and Eriksson M. (1999), "A Case-Control Study of Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma and exposure to Pesticides," CANCER Vol.85, No. 6 (March 15, 1999), pgs. 1353-1360
| Important:
Sign On To The
Alternative Grains Industry Statement (AGIS) - Grains Industry Statement Says No to GM Canola Release |
State Governments Must Take Up Where the Federal Government Left Off
Thursday 30th January 2003
An Alternative Grains Industry Statement (AGIS) launched by the Network of Concerned Farmers (NCF) calls for a moratorium on the commercial release of GM canola.
"This statement comprehensively rejects claims by the Gene Technology Grains Committee (GTGC) that Australia is ready for commercial release and is asking all affected organisations, companies and individuals to sign on," said Mrs Julie Newman, farmer at Newdegate.
"The Federal Government has failed to direct the Office of Gene Technology Regulator to assess economic impact when issuing a license for a GM crop release. As farmers we are calling on the QLD, NSW, VIC and SA Governments to follow TAS and WA Governments and intervene by declaring a moratorium on the commercial release of GM Canola expected in April of this year," Mrs Newman said.
The sign on statement (www.non-gm-farmers.com) includes a summary of the likely impacts of GM canola and calls for a moratorium pending:
"A road show by the Network in QLD, NSW, VIC and SA in early March, will present Alternative Grains Industry Statement signatories to State Governments during briefing sessions," Mrs Newman added.
"The NCF believes the GTGC has failed to assess and manage economic impact. For example the proposed five meter buffer zone by the GTGC is ludicrous and ignores scientific studies including Australian research showing contamination at distances up to three kilometres. Even Monsanto on its website has published a pollen flow study showing contamination by Canola pollen of 2% at 50 meters and 1% at 130 meters," said Mr Scott Kinnear, Victorian farmer, NCF and VFF member and spokesperson for the Biological Farmers of Australia.
GM Canola if released under the GTGC protocols is guaranteed to:
The Network of Concerned Farmers invites all industry associations, individual farmers, transporters, grain handlers and marketers to view the Alternative Grains Industry Statement* and sign on at: www.non-gm-farmers.com
For further information: Contact Penny Townley tel: (02) 6672 8373 or (0414) 244710
*Posted on web as of 30 January 2003.
| Bega Bans GMOs |
Media Release 23 Jan 03
Greens Councilor Keith Hughes has welcomed the unanimous decision of the Bega Valley Shire Council to ban genetically engineered crops at its January meeting on Tuesday night.
"Bega has taken a very responsible decision" Cr Hughes said.
"Council's decision to a ban genetically modified crops reflects concerns about potential adverse consequences once these organisms are released."
"It is an attempt to stop the introduction of this technology before it is too late" he said.
Economic, environmental, social and ethical arguments all helped persuade Council of the importance of taking this stand. Increased chemical pollution and the creation of insecticide resistant "super" weeds could result from new human-created life forms.
"The next step flowing from Council's decision is to explore how Council's planning processes can best implement the ban, and I will be following through to make sure this is done."
Bega Valley Shire will also be approaching neighbouring Councils seeking their support for a broader regional ban on GMOs.
The ban can enhance the region's clean green reputation which can assist sales of local products.
Cr Hughes said that widespread community support for the proposal was crucial and thanked the Bega Environment Network, the Sapphire Coast Producers Association and the Bega and Combined Chambers of Commerce for their important contributions.
He said that he was disappointed that Council had dropped or weakened some aspects of his original motion, and said that The Greens would continue to work for these.
Contact: Keith Hughes 02 6492 3267 or 0414 908 997
Greens Councilor Keith Hughes
Bega Valley Shire Council
Zingel Pl, Bega
NSW 2550
khughes@begavalley.nsw.gov.au
Fax: 02 6492 6325
| Rejected GE Corn Dumped in Australia |
From GeneEthics Australia
News Updates
January 8 2003
Fifty thousand tonnes of US corn containing genetically engineered (GE) varieties arrives in Brisbane on the January 8th on the Ocean Emperor (into Newcastle and Melbourne later) for use as chicken feed. The Gene Technology Regulator licensed the cargo even though some GE lines have not been assessed or approved in Australia.
"Japan and Europe reject US corn over environmental, human, and animal health concerns, and India and Zambia will not accept it as food aid," says GeneEthics Network Director, Bob Phelps.
"We therefore call on the Australian government to send this ship and its suspect load back to the USA," he says.
"US GE corn is not needed here as animal feed, even for drought relief, as 350,000 tonnes of imported GE-free wheat and sorghum are also approved and Australian grains are available," he says.
"GE corn also poses economic risks for Australian food exporters as Europe and some Asian markets reject foods (meat, milk, eggs and honey, etc) from animals fed GE grains," he says.
"Products from animals fed GE would be labeled in Europe but not here," he says.
"GE corn imports affront the 68% of Australians who want to reject foods made with gene technology," he says.
"And the 93% of Australian shoppers who want all GE foods labeled are outraged by the lack of meaningful labels on any GE products here," he says.
"Though the corn will be processed on arrival, so it may not contaminate Australia, full public assessments of the animal and human health issues should have been required before the license was granted," he says.
"For example, breeding sows in the USA fail to conceive when fed GE corn containing insect toxin, which the Regulator is still assessing," he says.
"Send this GE corn back to the USA 'till it's proven safe and saleable," Mr Phelps concludes.
More comment: Bob Phelps 03 9347 4500:
John Hepburn (Greenpeace) 02 9263 0302
|
Livestock Sector Report - by Livestock Representative Rod May |
|
A colourful mob of Brahman x steers and heifers. A breed for the south in the age of global warming? |
Sheep and Beef
A shortage of organic lambs appears to once again make life difficult for organic
butchers and retailers. Not surprisingly, various areas of drought-affected
Australia have reduced stock numbers in the past year. Southern breeders and
fatteners have not fared so badly however, and a limited number of suppliers
will provide metropolitan organic consumers with autumn lamb.
Beef numbers appear to be holding however, and despite drought conditions ravaging
many rangeland producers and seeing numbers plummet; southern producers report
no significant demand for domestic organic beef.
As feeding continues or at least gets under way in Southern areas, producers
will have to decide if expensive hay is worth buying. Organic hay has been quoted
at $6-8 Small Square of grass and $11 for Lucerne, which is not a great deal
higher than conventional product. Northern producers have been using certified
organic copra meal as a drought supplement, but claims of phytosanitary restrictions
of imports have allegedly made procurement difficult.
Many producers have made use of the 40% conventional feed proviso with a 6 month
lag time before sale as organic, whilst it is expected that the new 5% conventional
feed provision across the board will help. Even this is not enough for many,
however, as many have emptied out all but the breeders and more.
Organic sheep and beef producers have also had to weather the provisions in
the standards that animals cannot be simply traded as with conventional ones.
In some cases ajistment has been found and some organic mobs are claimed to
have changed hands between organic farmers, but once the organic ones are sold,
their replacements in the future will probably be conventional which means starting
all over again as only the offspring can become certified organic.
Southern producers are looking for an early break, and any bushfire affected
operators will be even more desperate, whilst up country, rains and follow up
rains will be welcome.
The OFA is happy to provide names of drought or fire affected livestock farmers
if readers wish to provide any feed or adjistment they may have available.
| B-d Farm Paris Creek Distributes to Supermarkets and Export Markets |
|
|
B-d Farm Paris Creek, outside Adelaide in South Australia, has been producing biodynamic dairy products for over 15 years, with their range including quark, cream , milk, butter, and yoghurt. They have won many awards for their high quality biodynamic products. The past year has seen significant growth for the business with production increasing by 125 %, and the year before saw growth of 100 %. The producing area started at 67 ha and has expanded to include neighbouring properties, now totaling about 400 ha.
The products were initially sold through specialty stores, and supermarkets in South Australia, and they are now expanding their supermarket distribution. In the Woolworths chain, yoghurt is sold in NSW, Quark in Victoria, and their full product range in South Australia. Their products are also sold through Coles in South Australia. Paris Creek is also exporting to South East Asian markets, and are thus developing a broad and diversified market.
In late 2001 they developed a new manufacturing plant on the property which is one of the most modern in the area. In these dry times it is commendable to note that there is no waste water on the farm, it is all recycled using a special filtering and converting system and is re-used for irrigation.
For more information contact Ulli Spranz on:
Ph: 08 8388 3339
Fax: 08 8388 3810
Email: ulli@bdfarmpariscreek.com.au
| Author Sally Fallon Points Out Dangers of Low Fat Diets |
Sydney, January 24th 2003
Despite being the Australia Day long weekend a good crowd turned out to hear
Sally Fallon's two fascinating presentations at UTS on the Sydney leg of her
Australian tour.
Washington based food activist, chef and nutrition researcher, and supporter
of organic and naturally grown foods, Sally Fallon is the author of 'Nourishing
Traditions: The Cookbook that Challenges Politically Correct Nutrition and the
Diet Dictocrats'. Central to this book is the startling fact that animal fats
and cholesterol are not the villains, but vital factors in the diet necessary
for normal growth, proper brain and nervous system function and protection from
disease. Sally was inspired by Dr Weston A Price because of his research and
study into healthy primitive populations and their diets.
Her Friday evening lecture entitled "The Cholesterol Myths - Big Fat Lies?"
explained how we were all convinced to stop eating butter and to start eating
imitation foods and how shaky science and vested interests have been dictating
our food choices with disastrous consequences for our health.
The full day seminar was entitled "Nourishing Traditional Diets - the Key
to vibrant Health". Sally explained how the food choices and preparation
techniques of many non-industrialised peoples conferred good health and freedom
from disease generation after generation. Beginning with a presentation of Dr
Price's unforgettable photographs of healthy traditional peoples, Sally explained
the underlying factors in a variety of traditional diets and then presented,
step by step a plan to put nourishing traditional foods - that your family will
actually eat! - back into our diets.
Sally blended culinary expertise with a finely honed capacity to cut to the
truth about our eating habits - and generated enormous interest from those who
attended. In fact, the NSW chapter leader of the Weston A Price Foundation
commented that her phone and email have been running hot from people wanting
to know more about traditional nutrient dense nutrition and where to find the
quality foods so necessary in our diet.
Sally is the founding president of the Weston A Price Foundation - www.westonaprice.org
- a non profit organisation dedicated to wise traditions in food, farming and
the healing arts.
| Nomu Vegetarian Restaurant - by Dom O'Brien |
In the November issue I wrote of the opening of a new organic vegetarian restaurant in Cronulla in Sydney's south. I discovered it by accident when walking past it to the train station one afternoon. My internal radar that seems to spot the word organic from a thousand miles saw a not-so-obvious reference to organics on a sign inside this not-quite-ready-to-open restaurant. A couple of weeks to opening, I noted, and about a month later I popped in to have a chat to the owners. Jeff and Libby were friendly and helpful and gave me a quick rundown of the business for the news item that appeared in the November issue. Promising to be back to try out the menu I trotted off to write my piece.
After three months I finally lived up to my word and returned to dine. Why it took so long I don't know - I'll blame it on the silly season. I should not have waited so long. We were treated to a carefully and thoughtfully prepared feast that definitely lived up to what I hoped it would be. We started with a juice, a little different for a restaurant dinner, but what the heck, we were in an organic restaurant. Libby suggested we get the platter for two, so as to try a bit of everything, and it was a good suggestion.
When the platter came out we didn't know where to start, but I went straight for the Shitake mushrooms cooked in garlic, shallots, and soy. They were wonderful. From there we made our way around the platter, sampling the nori rolls, pumpkin kofta, satay tofu sticks, rice and ginger balls, vegetable curry, grilled corn cakes, roast vegetable salad, sweet potato pate, olive pate, and others I've probably forgotten because there were so many. Rather than having wine with dinner, we did something a little different again and sipped a palette cleansing green (or in my case peppermint) tea throughout the dinner. This worked well as it really allowed us to appreciate the full flavour and variety of the food.
The flavours were distinct and varied, some subtle and some strong depending on the dish, and had that 'clean' quality about it that we organic connoisseurs so appreciate. The quantities were generous and Jeff and Libby were happy to oblige the old doggy bag trick (such class I exhibit ..... you can't take me anywhere).
You can sit inside at the tables, or at the window sitting on cushions (as with Japanese dining), or outside on tables looking across the park.
So for those who love an indulgent organic experience, Nomu will certainly hit the spot..
Contact Jeff and Libby Tarrant
Nomu Vegetarian Restaurant
Shop 5 Beach Park Arcade
Cronulla 2230
pH/fax: 02 9523 1530
Email: jefflibbynomu@yahoo.com.au
| Better Homes and Gardens to Air 'Growers' Market' Segment |
Popular lifestyle program Better Homes and Gardens will this month feature a segment at the Tambourine Mountain Country Markets on Queensland's Gold Coast. The program will go to air on Tuesday 25th February at 7.30 on channel 7. It is a indication of just how quickly growers' markets are developing in Australia that it be featured on such a mainstream program.
There's only one rule at the market - everything has to be home grown, hand crafted or home made.
Nothing second hand or commercially produced is allowed. The markets cater for a wide range of stalls such as plants, pottery, clothing, artwork, ornaments, lighting, steelwork, furniture, toys, jewellery, herbs, veggies etc. There are 200 permanent stalls and casual stallholders are invited to sell their wears, the market organisers believe visiting stalls add variety to the already eclectic market.
There is also a Local Growers Market within the broader market. It allows
only produce that has been grown on the mountain to be sold. All the growers
set up shop in their own huge tent. There is an area for food vendors and they're
arranged in a circle
surrounding the picnic table area and band rotunda where local and visiting
bands are invited to perform. There are a variety of international food stalls
including : Dutch pancakes, German Sausages, authentic Italian food, Asian food,
Steak and veggie burgers, ice cream...etc.
The markets are held on the 2nd Sunday of the month and are located at the Tambourine Mountain Show Grounds, on Main Western Road. Any enquiries can be made on (07) 5545 2155. The market was established in May 1982 and has been an artisan and local growers' market continuously for 20 years. Prior to that the location held a flea market.
| You will find more OFA and other industry services in the links below. |
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The OFA is the peak industry body for the Australian organic and biodynamic industry. Visit our webpage at www.ofa.org.au, or for organic industry and product enquiries click here . For information or help with this newsletter contact the OFA webmaster at webmaster@ofa.org.au. Feedback is always welcome !
DISCLAIMER: The opinions expressed in this publication are those of the writers and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the OFA.
