What the OFA did for the Organic Sector in 2010

Implementation of the Australian Standard and Regulation - OFA consulted with government including the ACCC and FSANZ on how AS6000 can be used under the Trade Practices Act and Food Standards Code to ensure the integrity of all products sold as organic in Australia.

Formed the OFA the Environmental Research and Education Trust and achieved full tax deductibility from the Australian Government.

Published a Manual on Climate Change and Soil Carbon and conducted the first OFA Climate Change Workshops - The first of 36 workshops specifically designed for organic producers started in April.

Paying Farmers for Soil Carbon Sequestration - The OFA held Australia’s first National Conference on Farming and Climate Change in 2006 and has been actively advocating for carbon credits for soil carbon.

Round Table on Organic Agriculture and Climate Change Established at Copenhagen - The OFA was a founding member of the Round Table on Organic Agriculture and Climate Change on December 16, 2009 in Copenhagen.

National Organic Mark - The OFA has started a process of consultation on the National Organic Mark (NOM).

Trust Organic August 19 – Sept 05 - Trust Organic Fortnight is on again from Thursday 19 August to Tuesday 5 September 2010.

Launch of OFASA - On November 11 2009 representatives of state organic organizations endorsed the SA Branch.

VOICe and OFA MOU - The Victorian Organic Industry Committee (VOICe) and the OFA have signed a Memorandum of Understanding so that VOICe is established as a committee of OFA.

Education and Training Needs of the Organic Sector - Following our successful engagement with Agri Skills Council and Orange TAFE in developing nationally accredited Cert IV and Diploma courses in Organic Agriculture, the OFA is currently researching the training needs of the organic sector.

OFA Magazine - The new OFA Magazine has been launched in conjunction with the newest organic industry magazine, The Organic Way.

GMOs - The OFA joined with Greenpeace and other Australian and international organizations to oppose the push for GM wheat. The Release of GM Canola and the ending GMO moratoriums means that the OFA will be making GMO’s a priority.

The RIRDC Organic Committee - The OFA Chair is a member of the current RIRDC committee for research and development for the organic sector. RIRDC is the main organization that funds organic research.

OFA Awards Dinner - The Annual OFA Lifetime Achievement Awards Dinner Fri August 20.

A Credible Relationship with Australian Governments - The OFA has developed a credible relationship with all Australian Governments. We have met with the Federal Agriculture Minister and every State Minister on a wide range of sector issues.

PIMC Statement - The Primary Industries Ministerial Council (Primary Industries Ministers of the Federal, State and Territory Governments) stated that they:

1. Recognise the increasing consumer demand for organic products and increasing consumer interest in organic production systems and the associated environmental benefits.
2. Recognise the subsequent significant and increasing growth of the organic industry and its contribution to the national economy.
3. Support and encourage the commitment of the Organic Federation of Australia and other key industry stakeholders to a more unified approach to industry development.
4. Commit to support the development of the organic industry in Australia by:
   1. Considering appropriate development strategies on a jurisdiction by jurisdiction basis as relevant to the particular industries and sectors.
   2. Consulting with the stakeholders in the organic industry on matters impacting industry development.
   3. Working towards a greater exchange of information between organic and mainstream producers so that the supply and quality of organic and mainstream production continues to improve.
   4. Acknowledging that Governments have a role in mitigating barriers and maximising opportunities for growth in the organics industry.

Representation - OFA Directors participated in many meetings, conferences and forums with industry and grass roots stakeholders throughout Australia to promote and discuss organic systems and sector issues such as the Australian Standard.

Website: www.ofa.org.au Our website continues to grow and continues to get accessed by more people every year. We would like to thank our Webmaster, Julian de Saxe, for the huge amount of work he has done on the site.

Media - Board activities included the OFA Newsletters and Website and national media, including radio, daily papers, regional newspapers, gardening and agriculture papers and magazines, specialist organic media and major organic industry internet newsletters. Examples include Acres Australia, Acres USA, OFA Organic Update, Clean Food Organic, Ecology and Farming, Organic News, TOS, ABC Organic Gardener, The Australian, Sydney Morning Herald, The AGE, The Western Australian, Adelaide Advertiser, Courier Mail, The Grower and Australian Viticulture.

Organic Update -Thousands of subscribers receive the OFA Organic Update, a regular electronic newsletter about organic issues in Australia and around the world.

Industry Inquiries - OFA board members answer thousands of email inquiries and over 1500 telephone inquiries every year.

The Benefits of Organic Food and Farming - The OFA has sent out media releases to every Australian newspaper, Radio station and TV station about the benefits of organic food and farming systems.

International Relations - OFA Directors have participated in international conferences, forums, meetings and trade shows to build the links between Australia and our colleagues around the world. These events have included APEC, CODEX, and the Global Organic Market Access project (GOMA).