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Chairs Report
This issue highlights the continuing good news
about organic systems. There is more research showing the benefits of
organic foods, especially the higher levels of cancer fighting compounds.
New research continues to show that best practice organic farming systems
can achieve high yields and very importantly help in the battle against
climate change. Information from around the world shows that the organic
sector continues on its path of increasing and sustainable growth.
In Australia the development process for the Australian Standard for
Organic and Biodynamic Produce has started with the first meeting of the
new committee scheduled in May. The OFA is pleased with the support from
governments, including The Hon Ian Macdonald, NSW Minister for Primary
Industries who stated in a media release on March 05 2007:
"To help develop the necessary legislative framework to support the
integrity of ‘certified organic’ products, a NSW Government proposal is
being prepared for discussion by the national Primary Industries Standing
Committee and Ministerial Council."
Best Regards
Andre Leu
Chair
Organic Kiwi Fruit Healthier
Researchers from the University of California, Davis found that
organic kiwi fruit had much higher levels of polyphenols and antioxidant
activity. Polyphenols help to reduce cholesterol and improve blood
circulation, while antioxidants help to neutralize free radicals that can
damage cells. The study, which is published in the journal Chemistry and
Industry, also revealed that organic kiwi fruit had higher levels of
vitamin C.
Lead researcher Maria Amodio said: "All the main mineral constituents
were more concentrated in the organic kiwifruits, which also had higher
ascorbic acid and total phenolic contents, resulting in a higher
antioxidant activity." www.999today.com/foodanddrink
Organic Diet Benefits
Researchers at the Danish Institute of
Agricultural Sciences and Newcastle University’s School of Agriculture,
Food and Rural Development have found that the organically-fed rats slept
better, had stronger immune systems and were slimmer than rats fed
conventional diets.
Quoted in The Journal newspaper, Newcastle University's Dr Kirsten
Brandt said: "What this research shows is that clearly there are links
between food and health which is more to do than with just nutrients.
"We used to think that as long as food had adequate nutrients then it
was all equally good... this is not the whole story and we can measure
differences and that they are significant. Now we need to understand what
is going on.
"If people think that eating organic food makes them feel better then
they are probably right." Source: http://www.999today.com/foodanddrink/news/story/7302.html
Organic Wine Can Help Reduce Risk of Heart Disease & Cancer
Evidence has suggested that because of
antioxidant levels in red wine, moderate consumption can decrease the risk
of cardiovascular disease. Given that organic farming systems produce
grapes with properties that vintners prize—smaller size, slower growth,
deeper color—both scientists and growers have wondered whether organic
production might reliably produce prize-winning wines.
A recent
study examined levels of polyphenolic compounds and resveratrol
(antioxidants known to reduce cardiovascular and cancer risks) in 15
organic and conventional red wines. This study found that among the
varieties of red wine tested, organic wines had the greatest
concentrations of health-promoting antioxidants—as well as the key
antioxidant resveratrol. An organic wine also was found to have the
highest level of total polyphenols.
Source: The Organic Center
Shopper's Guide - Buy Organic & Avoid The "Dirty Dozen" Fruits
& Vegetables
According to the Environmental Working Group's
(EWG) analysis of data from over 43,000 tests on pesticides in
conventional produce, over 90% of ingestion of pesticides in foods can be
eliminated by avoiding the most contaminated foods. The "Dirty Dozen" most
contaminated foods in the USA are peaches (97 percent tested positive for
residue), apples (92 percent tested positive), sweet bell peppers, celery,
nectarines, strawberries, cherries, pears, imported grapes, spinach,
lettuce and potatoes. The "Consistently Clean" in the USA are onions (90
percent tested negative), avocados (90 percent), sweet corn (90 percent),
pineapples, mango, asparagus, sweet peas, kiwi, bananas, cabbage, broccoli
and papaya. "Federal produce tests tell us that some fruits and vegetables
are so likely to be contaminated with pesticides that you should always
buy them organic. Others are so consistently clean that you can eat them
with less concern." Says EWG Senior Vice President Richard Wiles.
http://www.foodnews.org
Organic No-Till Systems Produce High Yields at Lower Cost
The
average corn yield of the two organic no-till production fields at the
Rodale Institute’s Farming Systems Trial was 160 bu/ac, compared to the
local district average for non-organic corn yield of 130 bu/ac in 2006, in
Pennsylvania, USA.
The organic no-till system used a rolled mat of hairy vetch to limit
weeds. Weeds did eventually break through the hairy vetch mat, but at a
later point in the season when they do not pose a competitive threat to
the corn.
The estimated N output of the hairy vetch biomass in the research field
cost around US$0.25 to $0.37 cents per pound. In comparison, the
conventional N fertilizer cost approximately US$0.50 per pound in
2006.
When weed management benefits were also calculated as part of the vetch
seed expense, including the elimination of five to seven field preparation
and cultivation passes (reducing tractor wear, diesel use and labor) there
was a considerable cost saving.
Source: http://www.newfarm.org/depts/notill/features/2007/0307/cornresearch.shtml
Organic Farming Reduces Greenhouse Gas Emissions
Comparisons of greenhouse gas emissions from arable
farming show that organic farming leads to a distinct reduction of
emissions. For example, 50% less carbon dioxide and 80% less methane are
emitted after conversion from an intensive conventional farming model to
organic farming. The emissions of nitrous oxide are reduced by almost 99%.
Austria’s organic farmers manage without 200,000 tons of chemical
synthetic fertilizers, reports Bio-Austria, the Austrian
Federation.
Some 20,500 Austrian organic farmers farm 400,000 ha
with organic fertilizers like compost. Experts estimate that some 400 –
800 million tons of carbon could be absorbed from farm land throughout the
world by using organic farming methods. www.bio-austria.at/presse
Australian Standard for Organic and Biodynamic Produce Commences
The first meeting of the new Standards
Australia committee (FT-032) will be held in Sydney on May 7 to develop
the Australian Standard for Organic and Biodynamic Produce.
The OFA wants to see certification of organic products mandated in
regulations when the Australian Standard is ‘called up’ into relevant
Federal and State regulatory systems. We are pleased that The Hon Ian
Macdonald, NSW Minister for Primary Industries, has begun this
process.
In a media release on March 05 2007 Minister Macdonald stated: "The
[NSW] Government recognises a national domestic standard for organic and
biodynamic produce is essential, particularly one that complements the
current export standard."
"To help develop the necessary legislative framework to support the
integrity of ‘certified organic’ products, a NSW Government proposal is
being prepared for discussion by the national Primary Industries Standing
Committee and Ministerial Council."
"We are committed to supporting both product certification and consumer
confidence and plan to use the appropriate national government forums to
progress this important policy issue in the near future."
International Composting Awareness Week: 6 - 12 May, 2007 - Compost...
For a Healthy Earth!
Compost has always been a significant part of
most organic production systems. International Composting Awareness Week
(ICAW) was started last year by the Centre for Organic & Resource
Enterprises as a way to promote the value of compost to the wider
community. This year it will feature events in most States and Territories
in Australia. For information about event near you please visit www.compostweek.com.au
National Compost Photography Competition
The OFA is sponsoring
a national photography competition on the use of composts.
The
competition will be judged based on three categories:
- Intensive Agriculture (i.e., viticulture, orchards)
- Gardening/Landscaping, and
- Rehabilitation.
Finalists will be announced on the 6th May at the National
Launch Events. The works will be judged throughout the week and winners
announced on the 11th May at the National Closing Event – The
Compost Ball. Details can be found on our website: www.ofa.org.au or www.compostweek.com.au
The Compost Ball
The Department of Environment and Conservation
NSW is holding a Compost Ball to mark the end of Composting Awareness
Week. This is a red carpet event, with a sit down dinner featuring organic
produce, the "Get Wasted" band, speakers and judging of the photography
competition. The event is the national closing of ICAW 2007. See www.compostweek.com.au for
details
Leading World Nutritionist to Visit Australia
Real food
activist, researcher and author Sally Fallon will be giving a variety of
talks including ‘Nourishing Traditional Diets – the Key to Vibrant
Health’, ‘The Cholesterol Myths’, ‘Nourishing Our Children’ and ‘Why
Pasture Fed is Best’. Sally will explain the roles of shaky science and
vested interests in dictating our food choices and the consequences for
our health. Our children are suffering from allergies, asthma, learning
and behaviour problems; rates of diabetes and obesity are increasing.
Sally specialises in the dangers of processed foods, low-fat diets and
modern refined foods including vegetable oils and soy infant formula - and
why coconut oil and animal fats like butter are healthy.
She will explain why we must care about how our food is produced, why
organic and pasture fed matter, why cultured foods are important and how
to prepare nourishing traditional foods all the family will love. Tour
details and bookings: www.westonapriceaus.org.au
Phone bookings: 1300 797 762
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.
International Organic
News |
US Organic Market Worth A$18.75 Billion (US$ 15 billion)
Mark Lipson, of the Organic Farming Research Foundation told reporters: "Sales of organic food have risen to
about $15 billion a year and continue to grow about 20 percent a year."
Yet organic farming receives just over half of 1% of USDA research,
extension and education funding. "We'd like to shoot for 10 percent,"
Lipson stated.
U.S. Family Farmers Can't Compete with Big Processors & Imported
Organics
- The value of U.S. organic imports now exceeds exports by a ratio of
approximately 8 to 1.
- In California, which grows 40% of US organics, the number of acres
transitioning into organic are now nearly balanced by the acres
transitioning out. Many farmers aren't making enough money growing
organically to remain certified, despite the booming retail market.
In the U.S., organic food accounts for about 2.5 percent of all food
sales. But out in the field, just 0.2 percent of farmland is under organic
production.
Source: http://www.organicconsumers.org/articles/article_4587.cfm
European Organic Sales Increase 15% PA
According to a recent
study by Organic Monitor, organic food sales in Europe are rising by about
15% a year.
European Organic Body Care Worth A$ 1.6 Billion
The Organic Monitor reports that European sales of natural and
organic cosmetics have increased by more than 20 percent annually in
recent years, and surpassed 1 billion Euros in 2006.
Switzerland Reaches 11% Organic Production
More than 12% of
vegetables consumed in Switzerland come from organic production. Organic
production has accounts for 11% of the total agricultural land. Source:
Biofach
IFOAM World Congress, Modena, Italy June 2008
"Cultivate the
future" is the title of the 16th IFOAM Organic World Congress next year.
The contribution made by organic agriculture is fundamental for
guaranteeing generations to come with a healthy, fair, correct environment
for harmonious living that respects people and the earth. The Modena area
boasts centuries old agro-food tradition that is a benchmark for world
food and wine, and the development and growth of organic agriculture plays
a central role, from both an economic point of view and also in
preservation of the land itself.
The congress themes are organic
viticulture and fruit growing, organic fibres and textiles, and natural
cosmetics and body care. The event takes place in the province of Modena
on June16&17 2008. www.ifoam.org/events
Wisconsin Senator to Push for Organic Policies in U.S. Farm Bill
Herb Kohl, D-Wisconsin, told the 18th annual
Upper Midwest Organic Farming Conference, "I'm a huge fan of the organic
movement, I think it's great for America. I think it's good for you." Kohl
chairs the Senate Agricultural Appropriations Subcommittee, and says he
will work with Senate Agriculture Committee Chair Tom Harkin, D-Iowa, to
make sure their ideas for supporting organic farming are incorporated into
the 2007 farm bill.
USDA to Ban Cloned Foods from Organic Systems
In March, the
USDA proposed that the offspring of cloned animals could be considered
"organic". However the USDA's National Organic Standards Board voted 12-0
to ban foods from cloned animals and their progeny from the organic
market. Regulators apparently recognize, after being flooded with
complaints from organic consumers, that cloning is incompatible with the
Organic Foods Production Act and is prohibited under the National Organic
Program regulations. The real difficulty will be in tracking these
animals, particularly 2nd and 3rd generation offspring of cloned animals.
Learn more: http://www.organicconsumers.org/articles/article_4699.cfm
Organic Center Report Critiques FDA's Approval of Cloned Animal
Products
A new Critical Issue Report released by the Organic
Center questions the US Food and Drug Administration's (FDA's) decision to
allow meat and milk from cloned animals to enter the food supply.
One of the arguments made by the FDA is that clones are "virtually
indistinguishable" from normal progeny and therefore may enter the food
supply. "Virtually indistinguishable is not a scientific standard," says
Jim Riddle, organic outreach coordinator at the University of Minnesota,
and author of the report. "The FDA report shows that subtle changes occur
in four to seven percent of animals." http://www.organic-center.org/science.latest.php?action=view&report_id=90
European Organic Food Logo Wins Support
The European
Parliament's agriculture committee has backed calls for a European-wide
organic food logo.
The committee has adopted a report that calls
for a dedicated European Union (EU) agency or governing body to be
established to independently certify products. It says that regulation
should ensure the European Parliament has a more powerful decision-making
role instead of its existing consultative one.
The report calls for
a European logo for foods containing 95% organic ingredients. It also
calls for organic food to be completely free of genetically modified
organisms (GMOs) - currently 0.9% of the product can be of GMO origin.
Source: Organic Monitor
Koreans Support Import Ban on GMO Rice
Responding to the
threat of genetically engineered crops, farmers, activists and government
officials gathered in Seoul for a March 28 seminar on "How to Secure the
Safety of Rice." The event--part of the Week of Rice Action held in 13
countries--was organized by Consumers Korea, the Korean Farmers and
Fishermen's Weekly News and PAN Asia and the Pacific. Park Hae Sang, South
Korea's Vice-Minister of Agriculture, assured the conference participants
that it was the government's intent "to prevent importing GMO rice." Park
also noted that "Korea is the only one out of 140 rice-importing countries
to have a policy requiring GMO-certification from the exporting country."
PAN AP.
Biodynamic Workshops
|
Place |
Date |
Topic |
presenters |
|
Cowaramup, WA |
7/8 May |
Introductory Biodynamic Viticulture |
John Priestley and Hamish Mackay |
|
Albany, WA |
10/11 May |
Introduction to biodynamics for grazing, cropping and viticulture
|
John Priestley and Hamish Mackay |
|
Paris Creek, SA |
May 07 |
Introductory Biodynamics for Dairy, Horticulture and pasture
management |
Hamish Mackay and Ulli Spranz |
|
Barossa Valley |
May 07 |
Introductory Biodynamic Viticulture |
Hamish Mackay and Anton von Klopper
|
See www.biodynamics.net.au for
details or phone 02 6655 0566
2007 Conference of the International Agrichar Initiative
April 29 - May 2, 2007
Keynote Speaker: Australian of the Year
Professor Tim Flannery
Terrigal, New South Wales, Australia
www.iaiconference.org
Contact: Adriana Downie, BEST Australia,
adriana@biomass.com.au, Tel: +61 2 43404911
Agrichar production and utilization can renew the world’s soils through
the addition of organic carbon, which can help solve the pressing problem
of global climate change. The Agrichar production process also converts
agricultural waste into valuable bio-fuels.
Biofach China Conference Starts Countdown for May 2007
Only
a few weeks to go to the first BioFach exhibition in China, at which over
300 exhibitors and more than 10.000 visitors are expected from
31.5-2.6.2007 in Shanghai. Some 600 interested participants attended the
first international BioFach China Conference in the Shanghai Worldfield
Convention Center beginning December 2006. The Chinese government is
giving more and more attention to the PPP initiative BioFach China,
because it has recognized that organic farming can offer a real chance of
solving the increasingly acute environmental problems. The promotion of
organic farming has been included in the Five-Year Plan under the name of
"Concept of Green Growth".
International Composting Awareness Week: 6 - 12 May, 2007 - Compost...
For a Healthy Earth!
For information about event near you please
visit www.compostweek.com.au
The Compost Ball, Sydney, Friday May 11
For information:
www.compostweek.com.au for
details
EMS National Forum 14 -17 May 2007
Burke & Wills
Hotel,Toowoomba Qld
For More Information: www.ems.asn.au
Sally Fallon Tour dates and local contacts:
May 19/20 Brisbane
(07) 3841 5999 foods@ihug.com.au
May 26 Sydney (02) 9967 4229
westonapriceaus@telstra.com
May 29 Melbourne 0403 926 091
info@realmilkaustralia.com
May 31 Gippsland (03) 9387 0124
orana@dcsi.net.au
Jun 1/2 Adelaide (08) 8365 1960
naturalelthy@picknowl.com.au
June 5/6 Perth 0407 425 078
topline@southwest.com.au
Tour details and bookings:
www.westonapriceaus.org.au
Phone bookings: 1300 797 762
Australian Vegetable Industry Conference 2007 - Vegetables Claim
Centre Plate
29 May – 1 June at Sydney Convention and Exhibition
Centre, Darling Harbour.
Visit the AUSVEG website:http://www.ausveg.com.au/events-conferences.cfm to find out
about the program, speakers, sponsorship, trade exhibition and registering
for the Australian Vegetable Industry Conference 2007.
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
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)
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