Eleven organisations are coming together to form the Organic Industry Discussion Group (OIDG) to advance the interests of the organic sector, including the pursuit of domestic regulation.
The OIDG brings together all of Australia’s certification bodies and key industry groups in one forum, the include: ACO Certification Ltd (ACO); Australian Organic Limited (AOL); Bio Dynamic Research Institute (BDRI); Certified Organic Biodynamic Western Australia (COBWA); National Association for Sustainable Agriculture Australia (NASAA); NASAA Certified Organic (NCO); Organic and Regenerative Investment Co-operative (ORICOOP); Organic Consumers Association Australia (OCAA); Organic Food Chain (OFC); Organic Industries of Australia (OIA), and; Southern Cross Certified (SXC).
The industry is stronger together
A high-level secretariat will be resourced by AOL, NASAA and OIA, and AOL Chair, Mike Brown, said it comes with the recognition that the industry is stronger together. ‘We’ve got committed, intelligent people who are passionate about organics coming together as a collective to identify opportunities and pathways for the future which is incredibly positive,’ said Mr Brown
‘Our role is to bring organic to the forefront and show the benefits of how we farm because, without doubt, organic is the gold standard for sustainability.’
NASAA Chair, Tim Marshall, who has been working in organic certification and standards for almost four decades, said it was the most promising development in industry representation in years.
The important goal of domestic regulation
‘It is really important to gather with a uniform voice for the important goal of domestic regulation and to give us the mechanism and structure to talk to federal and state governments.’
Australia remains the only nation in the OECD without domestic regulation of its organic industry meaning there is no legislated definition of the term ‘organic’.
While Australia has an export standard, it is not recognised by some trading partners meaning Australian producers must meet the additional certification costs of those countries.
OIA Chair, Dalene Wray AM, said domestic regulation would provide the impetus for negotiating equivalency arrangements, which would foster export growth and boost Australia’s economy.
Certified Organic items in high demand by international markets
‘Certified Organic proteins, grains and vegetables are in high demand by consumers in international markets.
‘Growth in the exports of these products from Australia will be achieved through regulatory improvements right here in Australia. The formation of this new group of stakeholders will provide a stronger voice to Government to encourage necessary improvements to regulations,’ said Ms Wray.
The OIDG will hold its next meeting in Canberra in September ahead of the first meeting of the Parliamentary Friends of Australia’s Organic Industry.
For more information, visit: austorganic.com, nasaaorganic.org.au, or organicindustries.org.au.
