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IN THIS ISSUE
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| Chairman's Report |
1. National Conference
The forthcoming National Conference was launched in Adelaide by The Hon Paul Holloway, Minister for Agriculture, who will be opening the Conference. I was able to support the Minister at the media event, which at least made the South Australian press.
Registrations are coming in, and the Early Bird discount ends soon, so take advantage of it and register now if you have not so done. You should now have received the second brochure, registration form and travel/accommodation leaflet. Copies can be obtained from the Conference Secretariat, through the website http://conference.ofa.org.au.
2. Gabriel Gate to speak at the Conference Dinner
Gabriel Gate, the renowned French chef, fine food expert and Melbourne resident, has graciously agreed to speak at the Organic Peasant Feast - the Conference Dinner - on Friday 3 October. He has a wide radio and other media audience, and is most entertaining as well as informative. Make sure you are there if you come to the Conference.
3. OFA AGM
It was originally thought that the OFA AGM could be held immediately after the Conference ends, and before the Dinner, late on the Friday afternoon.
This is not really practical. The AGM will now be in Adelaide on the Wednesday afternoon before the Conference starts, probably at 4pm. The OFA Secretary will be sending out the preliminary notices in the immediate future (hopefully you might already have them).
This first notice will call for nominations to the Board, call for any Notices of Motion, and generally bring you up to date on OFA.
I appeal to you all to support OFA's AGM. We need strong representation from all sectors of the industry if we are to represent you to governments, the media, etc. It would be good to have some elections at the AGM, but only your nominations and participation can ensure that this occurs. There is no point in complaining that there is no voting if you don't nominate candidates.
Contact the OFA Secretary, Liz Clay,
on 03-5628 9557 (email liz-clay@sympac.com.au)
for more information
4. Sydney Fine Food Fair
The annual Fine Food Fair is in September (9-12) in Sydney in a few days. OFA will again have the industry information stand, providing independent information on the industry and its operators to the trade. Some Certifiers and others have provided material such as brochures and information leaflets. A small group of volunteers will be manning the stand.
5. Organic Seed Supply
Robyn Neeson, the Organic Farming Liaison Officer with NSW Agriculture at Yanco has received a RIRDC grant to conduct a series of workshops in each state in early September on the consequences of the organic rules regarding seed for organic produce.
More information on this project
can be obtained from Robyn -
Phone (02) 6951 2735 Fax (02) 6951 2620
email robyn.neeson@agric.nsw.gov.au
Sid Cowling
Chairman, OFA
| 'Organic Futures for Australia' - National Organic Conference Update |
09 September 2003
By now you should have registered for the most important organic event in Australia for the next two years…If you have not registered - it is not too late! Highlights (for those who have perhaps been out of the country for the past few months) include:
Australian and International Keynote Speakers:Special Sessions and Workshops:
Organic/Biodynamic Tours and Workshops Weekend 4-5 October
OFA 2003 Organic Peasant Feast in conjunction with Tasting Australia, Friday 3 October
Download the Registration Form, get out your pens and send through your registration now to ensure you don’t miss out on the networking opportunities of this important event. Alternatively, contact the OFA 2003 Secretariat for further information or to receive the conference brochure or registration form by post.
Cat Mills
OFA Secretariat
| OFA Website |
Seeking Contributions
Do you have something to contribute to this monthly update ? This is an industry
bulletin and we would like to encourage industry contribution to it. Product
reviews, company news, industry news, event reviews, information about upcoming
events, and feature articles are all welcome. Please send an email to webmaster@ofa.org.au
Update Your Directory Listing
The OFA directory is an important resource for the Australian community,
and world traders. A number of listings are displaying outdated or incomplete
information about the products or company. We recommend all readers whose business
is listed in the online directory or the printed directory to please check your
business listing and take steps to update the information. Please check even
if you think your business is not listed, it may well be. There are currently
around 2,000 entries.
Step 1: search
for your listing by clicking
here
Step 2: send an email to webmaster@ofa.org.au
with the updated information
Add Your Event to the OFA Calendar
Did you know you can add your upcoming events, workshops, field days, etc. to
the OFA Events Calendar ? It's easy, go to http://www.ofa.org.au/magus/ofa.nsf/event!openForm
and enter your information then click submit. The OFA events calendar is the
most complete calendar of Australian organic events on the web. Don't let people
pass your event by. Listing is completely free so go for it.
As always, feedback about the OFA website and Organic Industry Update is encouraged.
| Mark Purdey Visits Australia |
by Andre Leu
One of the world's leading experts on the causes of Mad Cow disease has been invited to Australia to as a keynote speaker at an international magnesium conference in Cairns.
Mark Purdey is a scientist and an organic farmer from the UK who has spent 15 years collecting evidence proving that Mad Cow disease or bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) is caused by a complex chain of events, in which organophosphate pesticides can be one of the factors causing this disease.
Presently cause of Creutzfeldt Jakob Disease (CJD), the human form of mad cow disease is attributed to eating BSE-infected beef. Mark Purdey's scientific research is showing that high levels of manganese in the environment and exposure to the pesticide phosmet make cows and people susceptible to BSE and CJD respectively.
Mark's involvement started when was told he had to use an organophosphate pesticide on his livestock to eradicate Warble Fly infestation. Mark fought the order in court and won. When Mad Cow was identified two years later Mark observed that the areas where the disease was emerging more or less correlated with those where organophosphate phosmet had been used against Warble Fly.
He was ridiculed by governments and scientists for pointing out the connection, however many years later the Phillips Inquiry into BSE confirmed that phosmet could make animals more susceptible to the disease.
Orthodox opinion on BSE and its human cousin CJD has focused on the food chain; cows, the argument runs, got BSE by eating feed made from sheep infected with scrapie, and humans get CJD by eating BSE infected beef.
Mark Purdey and Dr Stephen Whatley of the Institute of Psychiatry have found that organophosphates increased the number of prions, proteins produced in human and animal brains. Usually, prions exist for a few hours and act as scavengers of free radicals, protect brain cells from damage. In BSE and CJD the prions become almost indestructible, building up in brain cells until they die.
Marks research shows that these higher prion numbers, coupled with increased manganese in the environment, could cause BSE. He has studied the environment in cluster areas of spongiform encephalopathies, including Colorado and Iceland. In each of these areas he has found high levels of manganese and low levels of copper.
Another researcher, Dr Brown has found that prions starved of copper and dosed with manganese change their shape to the dangerous form of the prion.
Mark will be presenting this information
in Cairns at a public meeting hosted by the Organic Producers Association of
Queensland, on September 11th at 7pm at the Cairns Cruising Yacht Squadron,
42-48 Tingira St Cairns.
| News from Seed Savers: Extreme Farming in Afghanistan |
02 September 2003
While western governments are not delivering the funds needed to rebuild or simply build infrastucture such as roads, water, schools, hospitals and power supplies, NICCO, a Japanese non government organisation active in Western Afghanistan, puts considerable resources into the sustainable reconstruction of a rural landscape badly affected by 25 years of war, Taliban rule and four years of drought. NOCCO's projects involve income generation for widows by diversifying home agriculture, improving the amenity of the area with agroforestry demonstration sites at the Herat University Faculty of Agriculture's farm, irrigation channels in villages and improving health by taking long-term action against TB.
>From 4th September, we, Michel and Jude Fanton directors of The Seed Savers' Network, are once again with the Japanese NICCO team in Herat, in the west of Afghanistan helping Afghan farmers to revalue and produce quality seeds of their own local varieties. The aims are that they will resume their desert farming practices. Scratching a living out of sandblasted arid lands is a most difficult task that calls for tried and true methods such as producing your own seeds of local varieties that are adapted to these extreme conditions.
Farmers go to the extend of planting grapes in trenches two metre deep to give them a chance to resist the regular sand and gravel storms. They then build 4 metres tall wall around the gardens...
In the many trouble spots where Seed Savers has worked, peasant farmers revert to proven methods that include diversity farming and Permaculture strategies based on their own traditional agriculture. Restoring former agricultural systems in war torn zones is what was agreed on by 130 countries with the 1997 Global Plan of Action for the sustainable utilisation and conservation of plant genetic resources.
One of NICCO's projects enables farmers to reclaim, repair and use once again ancient channels that bring spring-water to fields in isolated villages. This involves deepening the traditional wells and repairing a network of underground water channels, known as kareses. The scheme also provides much needed employment to thousands of villagers. Reconstructing with stone and concrete is hard, gruelling work, but the local people are overjoyed with the scheme.
While the US led coalition of 11,500 soldiers is battling with the Taliban and Al-Qaeda in the south and east of the country, the projects where Seed Savers works are in the snug and safe villages in the Herat area. We are sipping large amounts of green tea (with customary sugar lump in mouths) in villages and also with lecturers and students at the Agriculture Faculty.
Seed Savers' office will function as usual under the care of Seed Banker Loretta Faulkner and Local Seed Network Coordinator, Amy Glastonbury. We will be back on September 25th. If you need to contact either of us, send your email to amy@seedsavers.net and she will transfer your email to us in Afghanistan.
This article can be found on the Web at: http://www.genevar.com.au//seedsavers/news/93.html
| Info Wanted By Chemical Body Burden Working Group |
Letter from Dorothy Bowes
Currently I am involved in a program with National Toxics Network on Body Burden Community Monitoring and am seeking your help with a specific issue related to body burden of chemicals in the Australian population.
I am looking for case histories from individuals who have had their blood monitored for organochlorine pesticides for inclusion in the Body Burden Community Monitoring Handbook.
(Go to www.oztoxics.org and then navigate to the Body Burden Community Monitoring Handbook)
The privacy of your personal details will always be ensured. Only data relating to the presence and levels of POPs (persistent organochlorine pesticides) and an overview of your case will be presented. Currently I have around 10 lots of blood tests from and a brief overview of the case history. I would like yours as well. I would prefer these in hard copy to:
Dorothy Bowes,
ASEHA Qld Inc
PO Box 96
Margate Q. 4019.
Your help with this would be appreciated and it would be good if we acquire a lot of blood tests for POPs and their resultant health problems.
Your participation would be greatly appreciated.
Dorothy Bowes
| Organics Industry 'Get The Picture' With First National Survey |
Media release from the office of Senator Judith Troeth, 21st August 2003
The Australian Government is providing more than $60,000 for a study designed to boost the growth of Australia's organic agriculture industry, the Parliamentary Secretary for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Senator Judith Troeth announced today.
Senator Troeth said organic produce is a small industry set for expansion in Australia, with 2,000 certified producers-including growers, processors and manufacturers, exporters and retailers.
"The Australian Government is funding a nationwide survey of the organics industry to gather information needed to develop the tools to support its growth, such as a strategic plan and marketing strategy.
"Accurate and current information on our organic production and consumption is not readily available, which is an issue for the whole of Australia's organic industry."
Retail sales of organic produce in Australia are estimated to have increased from $28 million in 1990 to nearly $200 million in 2003, with global sales increasing from $16 billion to $50 billion during the same period.
"However, if this promising industry is to continue to grow and reach its full potential, it needs to undertake strategic development activities at the national level," Senator Troeth said.
"The project announced today will collect the latest information on organic production, consumption, sales, promotional activities, prices, imports and exports. "This will help the industry members to identify opportunities in the market, which products are worth producing and those that are in oversupply."
Senator Troeth said the project was initiated by the peak industry body - Organic Federation of Australia - and will be conducted by one of the co-authors of a recent study into the European market for organic food.
"This project will be headed by Dr Darren Halpin from the Centre for Social Research at WA's Edith Cowan University, with support from the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry," the Senator said.
"Dr Halpin has an impressive track record, having previously worked for the Research Institute of Organic Agriculture in Switzerland, and with the University of Applied Sciences in Neubrandenburg, Germany, studying Europe's organic markets," Senator Troeth said. "He was one of the co-authors of a recent book detailing the findings of that study, Analysis of the European Market for Organic Food.
"Whole-of-industry support will ensure the project develops as precise a picture as is possible of Australia's organic industry," Senator Troeth said. "I encourage all members of Australia's organic produce industry to assist Dr Halpin on this important project."
| Organic Farming On The Rise |
1 September
The Organic Newsline
A new report from Australian organic certifying body Biological Farmers Australia says one in 10 primary producers will be farming organically by 2020.
The report says the number of organic producers has grown by 20 to 30 per cent over the last two years but that still represents only 2 per cent of all primary producers.
The groups chief executive, Dr Andy Monk, says the industry needs more organic farmers because at the moment demand for produce both domestically and overseas is far greater than supply.
"As the industry is still emerging, the markets do flood every now and again, but overall that's anything from fat lambs to wheat and other things," he said.
"People are desperate for things
like wheat and sorghum, and the list just goes on."
| Feature Article - Natural Pyrethrum |
Natural Pyrethrum gives immediate control of crop insect pests. It is making a comeback and finding favour with Organic and conventional growers… with good reason. It works!
It has been used for home sized gardens almost forever. Now it is being chosen by serious, commercial growers of all varieties of fruit and vegetables, even broadacre crops of soybeans, linseed, etc.
If an insect can be hit by a droplet or three of the spray, they die. In minutes.
There is virtually no residue. Spraying late in the afternoon will give the best results as the pyrethrum will be effective until sunlight destroys it next day. This means hiding insects have more chance to come in contact with it overnight…and be killed. There is only a 1-day withholding period set by the Australian Pest and Veterinary Medicine Authority. The combination of natural pyrethrum and piperonyl butoxide is an approved input for members of the BFA and NASAA.
Cost
It costs around $3 to fill a 15 litre knapsack; a 1000 litre tank costs about
$110.
It doesn't take much mental arithmetic to work out if the crop area you can treat with 1000 litres of spray will produce more than an extra $110 worth of harvest once the insect pests have been controlled.
Examples
A tomato grower at Bangalow on the NSW North Coast had so much trouble with
whitefly he was almost considering turning his 'igloo' into a machinery shed.
He'd pulled out several rows of tomatoes and the ones still struggling were
about half the normal size. About $50 worth of Py-Bo turned the situation around.
Olives at Texas in Queensland were being sucked dry by lacebugs to the extent the leaves were not doing the photosynthesis job to fill out the fruit. Instead of a crop worth between $20-$30 a tree, the grower was expecting only about $10 a tree. Using a 1500 litre tank and orchard blower, he treated over 2000 trees at 1.7 litres a tree… 23 cents each tree.
Avocado trees have been treated with an orchard blower applying around 4 litres a tree… 55 cents… to control fruit spotting bugs and monoleptas.
Broccoli, basil, lettuce, tomatoes, capsicum, potatoes, melons and pumpkins are attacked by anything from aphids, thrips, bugs, caterpillars of various sorts and grasshoppers. Treatment by knapsack or boom spraying has killed pest populations in minutes. Fruit and vegetables can be harvested the morning after the evening spray.
Compatibility
Growers who use a foliar fertiliser can confidently mix the fertiliser and the
Py-Bo together and save application costs.
Beneficials
Pyrethrum does not discriminate. However, bees and parasitic wasps are repelled
by very low levels of pyrethrum. They will not come near a treated crop until
the pyrethrum is indiscernible… later the day after treatment. It is best
to spray late in the afternoon when bees and wasps have gone 'home'.
If a crop is severely attacked and the grower's pocket is threatened, there is no hope that ladybirds, wasps, assassin bugs, fungus or bacteria are going to make a significant difference in time to save the situation. This is where organic growers must make a judgement. "Last resort" is a subjective decision that is sometimes left too late. None of the growers mentioned above will wait till it hurts, next time.
Safety
Pyrethrum is of very low threat to mammals because it is detoxified so rapidly
in warm-blooded systems. It is impossible to build up to chronic poisoning.
Centuries ago the Chinese used it as a treatment for stomach worms. It was dusted
all over troops and prisoners in the Second World War to kill fleas and lice
and reduce typhus epidemics.
Wheredoyagettit?
Pyrethrum/pbo combinations are available in most garden shops and some grower's
co-ops but most of them are only a low 4g/L pyrethrum. Pestech Australia sell
an 80g/L formulation (20 times stronger and at a 1:6 ratio) especially for serious
growers and they sell direct
(1800 12345 7) or through selected Co-ops/resellers. The registered rate of
dilution is 1 ml per litre of water and the treatment costs and examples given
in this article are based on their product called PyBo.
Please Phone Ian Staunton at any time of the day or early evening to ask for specific dilution and application advice on your crop and insect/mite pest… 1800 12345 7
| Letter From Rev. Brian Gore Opposing Vatican Endorsment Of GM Foods |
Dear Colleagues,
We have written to the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace and the Catholic Nuncio in Australia expressing our concern that the Vatican will endorse Genetically Modified (GM) foods. This was reported in The Australian 5/08/03, The Dominion Post (NZ) and The Times (UK), all Murdoch newspapers ............................... We believe that the Vatican is under intense pressure from the Pro-GM lobby groups under the pretext that GM foods will feed the hungry of the world. Our hope is that you will spread word of this danger of a Vatican endorsement of GM foods. The more people who write in protest against such a possibility the stronger will be the voice of opposition. The addresses of the relevant authorities are given below.
Yours sincerely,
Rev. Brian Gore, Convenor of the Columban Peace, Ecology and Justice Centre Centre Staff: Rev. Charles Rue, Mrs. Anne Lanyon, Rev. Brendan Hoban.
Most Reverend Francesco Canalini Apostolic Nuncio in Australia PO Box 3633 MANUKA ACT 2603, AUSTRALIA Fax. 02 6295 3690.
Most Reverend Archbishop Renato Martino Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace 00120 VATICAN CITY Fax. 39 06 6988 7205, Email pcjustpax@justpeace.va
| Grain Group Concerned Over GM Liability |
Source: ABC News, 14 August 2003
The Australian Grain Harvesters Association is recommending its members refuse to harvest genetically modified crops.
The Association represents 20 percent of harvesters, and at its annual general meeting in South Australia, 50 members unanimously approved the motion.
President Brett Drysdale says members want to see a better model for GM and conventional crops co-existing, because they don't want to be sued for contamination.
"We aren't opposed to GM crops, we just want to see the model for co-existence, get it right the first time. We basically are saying to them at this stage these are some problems, and if you don't address these problems you could be very well be in trouble with compensation, liability, litigation.
"So we are just making the recommendation to our members at this stage the way the situation is at the moment, for their own best interests, not to do it."
The Australian Grain Harvesters Association represents around 600 contract harvesters Australia wide, and about 20 percent of all grain contract harvesters in Australia. It was formed in 1973.
While contractors may refuse to harvest GM crops, it seems insurance companies may also refuse to protect them.
There's already evidence that agricultural insurers have started excluding cover for damages relating to any genetically modified crop or organism.
Wesfarmers Federation Insurance policies now include exclusions for "liability that might arise from experimenting, trialling, and the manufacture or import of any GM substance or organism."
The policy also refuses to give cover for any "personal injury or damage to property caused directly or indirectly from any genetically engineered substance or organism."
Victorian farmer, Denise Acocks immediately contacted her local agent when she read her new policy conditions.
"The insurer told me that if we were to grow any GMO trials you should make very firm and very clear with the particular company and have a written guarantee that they cover you for all liabilities.
"They told me that our company would not be able to provide cover unless they could find an overseas re-insurer who would be prepared to take on such a policy."
| Register Your Opinion Of GE Food Labelling At www.geneethics.org |
Review of the Labels on Foods Produced Using Gene Technology Write your letter by September 19, 2003 to slo@foodstandards.gov.au
Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) is reviewing the labelling of food produced using GE three years after standard 1.5.2 was gazetted, December 2000.
FSANZ has been asked to produce a factual report for Health Ministers, addressing each of the points set out (1-5) below.
FSANZ is seeking information on aspects of the current labelling regime for GE foods in Australia and New Zealand, as well as internationally.
You may wish to comment on the implementation, compliance and enforcement of Standard 1.5.2 in respect of GE food labelling. Please give evidence to slo@foodstandards.gov.au.
Suggested comments:
FSANZ would also be grateful for responses to the following questions.
1) Are you aware of any international developments, particularly in the EU, USA, Canada and APEC countries, regarding the regulation of the labelling of GE foods and ingredients since Standard 1.5.2 in the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code came into effect on 7 December 2001?
2) How do these labelling regimes compare to Australia/New Zealand GE labelling Standard?
3) Are you aware of any published consumer research or professional market research in Australia and New Zealand that examines consumer attitudes in relation to the labelling of GE foods? (If possible, please make these studies available to FSANZ).
4) Are you aware of any published consumer research in countries listed in question (1) that examines consumer attitudes in relation to the labelling of GE foods?
5) How do consumer attitudes towards the labelling of GE foods and ingredients in Australia and New Zealand compare to consumer attitudes in the countries listed in question (1)?
Please submit a response by close of business, 19 September 2003.
Submissions must be made in writing and should clearly be marked with the word 'Submission' and with the title 'GE Labelling Review'. Submissions may be sent to one of the following addresses:
Food Standards Australia New Zealand Food Standards Australia NZ PO Box 7186 PO Box 10559 Canberra BC ACT 2610 The Terrace WELLINGTON 6036 AUSTRALIA NEW ZEALAND Tel (02) 6271 2222 Tel (04) 473 9942 www.foodstandards.gov.au www.foodstandards.govt.nz
Electronic submissions may be sent to the FSANZ Standards Liaison Officer by emailing slo@foodstandards.gov.au.
| GMO Legislation |
Anyone wanting to read the Standing Committee on Environment and Public Affairs report on the GMO legislation that the Government has drafted, please go to http://www.parliament.wa.gov.au/parliament/home.nsf/(FrameNames)/Committees
| Inspector Report - By Inspector Representative Sid Cowling |
One Board Member is asked each month to prepare a Sector Report for the OFA Newsletter, and its the turn of the Organic Inspectors again.
1. 2003 Organic Industry Awards
These awards were initiated in 2001 at the first National Conference in Sydney. This year the nominations have to be made by a third party - there is no self-nomination. The Independent Organic Inspectors have been asked to nominate candidates for consideration.
Independent Organic Inspectors obviously visit a wide cross-section of the operators in the industry, and are in a good position to suggest those worthy of consideration.
There are seven categories:
|
¨ 1. Best organic producer -more than 5 years certified |
|
¨ 2. Best organic producer -less than 5 years certified, including in-conversion |
|
¨ 3. Best organic processor or manufacturer (products) |
|
¨ 4. Best organic independent retailer / foodservice |
|
¨ 5. Best organic multiple retailer / marketer |
|
¨ 6. Best organic education project |
|
¨ 7. Best organic research project |
The Independent Organic Inspectors consider it an honour to be asked to submit nomination, which can also originate from others in the industry.
Copies of the nomination
form can be obtained from the Conference Secretary OFA 2003 Secretariat
PO Box 768, Stirling SA 5152
Tel/Fax: (08) 8339 7800
or emailed to ofaconf@nasaa.com.au
2. Independent Organic Inspectors - Professionalism and Training
There has been a lot of discussion over the past few months about the training of organic inspectors, and general professional standards relating to inspections.
The Australian Independent Organic Inspectors Association (AIOIA) is not yet in a position to conduct proper training of organic inspectors of the kind provided by the international association (IOIA). The IOIA has been associated with some training courses held in Australia. The IOIA has a world-wide reputation, and has chapters in a number of countries and regions.
To date inspector training has been conducted by some certifiers. This has included basic training and refresher training for both farms, processors and other traders.
There is also a trend in some quarters to emphasise 'auditing', rather than inspections, with a strong focus on the paperwork and less on the actual state of the plants, animals and general farm environment, or the processing functions.
I believe that this is to the detriment of the industry. We all know how paperwork, no matter how impressive, does not tell the whole story. Auditors of business finances have considerable experience in encountering this.
I am not discounting the importance of good record systems to verify practices. But the organic inspector also needs to be able to tell whether soil, plants and animals are healthy, to know the signs of misuse of chemicals, to be familiar with cleandown chemicals and procedures, and a host of other things about farming and factory practices. So prior experience in farming and food handling, and appropriate training is very important for inspectors.
Training is expensive to conduct, and expensive to receive if the trainee pays for it. And if the trainee pays for it he/she can reasonably expect to recover that cost in a relatively short period of subsequent work.
I don’t think this is the case in Australia at present. The fees paid to inspectors are not sufficient to reimburse training costs within a reasonable period. If an inspector conducts many inspections per month, then the income is not substantial. Inspectors are only paid whilst on the property. So it is not uncommon for an inspector to spend all day travelling to do two properties, and be paid, say, for 4-5 hours. To spend less than 2 hours at an inspection is, in my opinion, not doing the job properly unless it is a very simple operation. Many should take longer, but often the certifiers discourage longer inspections on the basis of cost.
And certifiers do not recognise that inspectors have overheads, such as office costs, insurances, etc. But certifiers expect inspectors to type their reports, in some cases submit them electronically, to have a phone, mobile phone, fax, photocopier and computer to receive messages and documents.
I don’t know any organic inspector who makes a full-time living from organic inspecting. Most have another, usually more substantial, source of income.
It is put to me that farmers (and processers?) could not afford an increase in inspection fees. But why should inspectors be expected by farmers and processors to work for minimal rates. I read in the media recently that the unions have lodged a log of claims for grape pickers, with an hourly rate more than organic inspectors currently receive. And food quality, HACCP and QA inspectors laugh when they learn of organic inspector’s fees.
So why does the Australian organic industry expect to have a professional corps of independent organic inspectors when its not prepared to pay for it?
If the Australian Organic Industry is to grow and advance the way it should, and presumably wants to, then it needs to conduct all its business in a professional manner.
Any comments?
Sid Cowling
Australian Independent Organic Inspectors Association
| Inaugural Queensland Organics Conference |
Cairns, 31 July to 2 August 2003
I believe that the Inaugural Queensland Organics Conference was the most significant organic event ever held in Queensland. It has been 18 months of hard work for OPAQ committee members, however it has been worth it as there was an impressive list of speakers, delegates and topics. The conference has been a watershed for organics in Queensland, demonstrating that it is now a significant industry.
The conference brought together nearly 300 growers, producers, scientists, researchers, certifiers, suppliers and government officers, including many from overseas and interstate. The delegates were very concerned that Queensland was the only State in Australia that did not have a moratorium on GMO’s. The conference delegates passed a resolution stating that ‘The Queensland government should join with the all of the States in Australia and implement a moratorium on the commercial release of GM crops.’
Conference Highlights
World renowned soil microbiologist Dr Elaine Ingham was the International
keynote speaker at the inaugural Queensland Organics Conference. Her informative
talks on composts in both plenary sessions was considered an inspirational highlight
of the conference
Soil was the main focus. Dr Ingham was joined by a group of highly regarded industry speakers to discuss the link between good soil health, high yields and quality produce.
Speakers addressing the main theme included:
New and existing organic industry members heard about plant and animal nutrition, pest, disease and weed management, harvest and post-harvest systems, marketing and trade, industry regulation, Biodynamics, farm management systems, food and fibre commodity sectors, processing, retail, consumer research, sustainability and technology from an organic industry perspective.
In a dedicated session with a focus on the organic sugar industry Steve Bartolo, President of Australian Organic Sugar Producers Association gave a paper on how he achieves good yields of commercial sugar. Neil Cliffe, DPI extension officer working with the Mackay Organic cane growers provided an overview of the Industry. Dr Janet Grice presented a paper on the Markets for organic sugar and John Turner from the BSES present details on trialing legumes as an inter row crop with cane.
Adam Collins, who runs cattle west of Cairns, outlined the workings of the biodynamic production system under tropical conditions.
In the opening keynote address Andre Leu, President of OPAQ, gave examples of high yielding organic systems from around the world and Australia, showing how organics systems were more suitable for feeding the worlds hungry rather than GMO’s.
The horticulture session included latest research findings in pest management. Highlights of this session included Dr Annice Lloyds presentation on fruit control using certified organic bait sprays, Dr Alan George’s paper on pest exclusion netting and Peter Leach’s presentation on light oils as a non toxic post harvests disinfestation system.
Other highlights included David Johnson from Plevna Downs Organic Wool who discussed marketing on the world market and James Myers from Austrade Fukuoka, who spoke about the lucrative Japanese Organic market.
The conference covered major threats to the organic industry. Graeme Sait gave an excellent presentation on GMO’s and Bonny Bauer spoke on Food Irradiation,
Broad issues surrounding the industry including certification issues, IFOAM, research funding, the need for an organic CRC and Sid Cowling’s presentation the importance of a national organic peak body were covered by organic industry leaders.
The conference was an excellent opportunity to see the latest organic products that are available for pest and disease control, soil nutrition and weed management. An electric steam weeder was displayed and demonstrated. This technology is currently being used in Victoria and is much more efficient than the current gas models.
The Trade Display included organic fertilisers from Guano, Terra Firma, Mirriwinni Lime, Pacific Minerals and Nutri Tech and pest control displays from the Soil Food Web, Organic Crop Protectants, Agro K and Barrier Nets Australia.
Well known actor, theatre entrepreneur and organic farmer, Diane Cilento was Conference ambassador gave an inspirational welcome address on the 2nd day. Don Macfarlane, Queensland Organic industry pioneer and international Biological Farm Tour host was the special guest at the Conference Dinner and gave a wide overview of the issues facing the organic industry. Maurice Franklin gave a dinner talk on history of organic agriculture in far north Queensland.
The conference featured organic catering. In particular I would like to thank Steve Bartolo, President of Australian Organic Sugar Producers Association for donating the organic sugar to the conference.
All the participants enjoyed the two post conference Organic Farm tours to Daintree and Atherton Tablelands. It enabled them to see a different side of organics from the temperate systems that are more familiar.
I would like to thank our speakers and the hundreds of delegates who traveled from overseas, interstate and from all over our large state of Queensland to come to Cairns, to participate in this impressive forum.
Also I would like to thank the DPI, EPA, RIRDC, Acres Australia and our sponsors for providing funding and other support. All the people who volunteered as session chairs did a wonderful job ensuring the sessions ran smoothly. Peter and Phil helped with the AV keeping the inevitable hiccups in the technology to a minimum. Paul K for the help and advise with the papers committee.
A special thanks to our conference committee and particularly to both Margarets, Lucille, Frank, Gary, Maurice, Steve, Tina, Michelle, Tom, Lewis, David and Kerry for all the work they did during the conference to ensure it ran smoothly. In particular I would like to thank Rosemary for all the endless hours that she dedicated to organising this event.
I am now looking forward to the national organic conference in Adelaide.
Best Regards
Andre Leu
President
Organic Producers Association of Queensland
| NASAA WA Annual General Meeting |
From the WA Organic Update, September Issue
40 attended the Soils workshop and
NASAA WA AGM at Justin and Mike Shipley’s property at Karragullen. The
main speakers were Steven David (Organic Farming Systems) who outlined the Albrecht
soil analysis, Lyn Abbott (UWA) provided a look as soil life and Brett Kirkpatrick
(certified B/D farmer) gave a presentation on Bio Dynamics. Steve McCoy gave
a presentation on the activities of the Organic RIRDC program and Annie Dunn
outline the role of the OGA. All enjoyed an Organic lunch and teatimes that
were supplied by Absolutely Organic and the Earth Market.
| Herbs For Your Hair |
By Elaine Johnson
For years I have been looking for a gentle shampoo to treat dry hair without having to rewash it constantly. Browsing through the organic markets in Sydney on a Sunday morning, I came across some organic hair products from the Original Herb Company, the personal care product division of the Pharmaceutical Plant Company (PPC). The two bottles I picked up that day were the Herbs & Lavender Shampoo and the Herbs & Honey Conditioner, and I would have to say that they are both the best I have come across so far - they are effective and you don't need to use much, so a 250mL bottle lasts for ages!
For those with sensitive skin or dry/oily hair, these shampoos are fantastic! They are 100% vegetable (no animal products or testing) and contain none of the harsh additives of regular shampoos. So NO Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, artificial colours, detergents or perfumes. I loved the lavender shampoo and honey conditioner, but can't wait to try the Herbal Hair Shampoo with peppermint, rosemary and sage oils or the Henna Hair Shampoo.
Unlike other "organic" hair products, the label is not just a marketing manoeuvre - they are certified by both the Organic Herb Growers of Australia (OHGA) and the National Association for Sustainable Agriculture Australia Ltd (NASAA). Across the range of shampoos and conditioners you will find organic herbal extracts of Burdock, Calendula, Chamomile, Ginko, Nettle, Raspberry, Redclover and Yarrow. They also contain essential oils of Lavender, Mandarin, Peppermint or Rosemary, depending on which variety you chose.
The PPC is an organic herbal medicine company, which also produces personal care products. Most of their growers are small to medium organizations and the company is 100% Australian owned and controlled. 85% of their products are made with Australian organic herbs, which avoid the fumigation or irradiation procedures of imported herbs. So you'll be supporting Australian growers whilst avoiding those harsh chemicals!
For further information, contact
the PPC:
1800 4 43727 (HERBS)
2/24 London Drive
BAYSWATER VIC 3153
Or order over the internet for $6.00 per 250mL bottle at www.puttingitright.com.au. Click on the Eco-market link, and under "Health Products Brand Names" click on "Original Herb Company." If you're in Sydney, you should be able to get them from the Sunday market on Warringah road, near Forestville, from 9am-1pm.
New Website For Farmer's Markets Association |
Farmers’ markets are now thriving in cities and towns across Australia with
more popping up like perpetual spinach every month. From Albany, Western Australia
to Albury and Byron Bay, in paddocks, showgrounds and parks farmers are pitching
their tents and piling trailers high with farm-grown produce.
Some drive hundreds of kilometres, others just down the road with delicious cargoes of freshly dug spuds, snap fresh peas and asparagus, golden-eared corn, cryo-vac’d organic lamb and venison salami, pink pawpaws, wriggly eels, smoked trout, trays of double-yolker brown eggs, crusty sourdough loaves, snowy-fresh curd cheeses, bunches of aromatic herbs and Asian vegies, buckets of grow-your-own mushrooms delivering the chance for consumers to taste the real meaning of the much bandied phrase ‘from paddock to plate.’
There are over 40 farmers’ markets trading regularly and more due to open on the fresh food map this spring. Look for new markets soon in Geelong, Echuca and St Kilda (Victoria), and Nabiac (NSW).
Farmers and artisan food processors keen to sell their produce, and consumers hungry for peak, seasonal fresh food direct from the grower can now log on to the Australian Farmers’ Markets Association website to locate their nearest farmers’ market.
The website also provides news updates, a copy of the Association’s charter and easy-access articles on the vibrant farmers’ market movement.
If you want to sell or shop at a farmers’ market (or start one in your region or town) just click on www.farmersmarkets.org.au
You’ll soon discover the taste and seduction of fresh, natural food with flavour. And while you munch happily on that thought, consider some of the other spin-offs of this simple concept sustainable agriculture, bio-diversity, food security, urban renewal and revitalisation of community. It’s a rich, varied, purposeful and immensely satisfying diet!
Market Shopper’s Hot Tips:
For further details please contact:
Jane Adams, ChairpersonAustralian Farmers’ Markets AssociationTelephone (02)
9360 9380Email: jacom@bigpond.net.au
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These are just some of the events listed in the OFA events calendar for this month. Please Send details of your events to webmaster@ofa.org.au or enter them yourself here |
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Click here for details of these and other events.
| You will find more OFA and other industry services in the links below. |
Organic Newsline - Weekly International Organic News Bulletin
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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.
