Prism Webcast News

OANZ Organic News

Saturday, May 30, 2009
Posted in Organics | Tagged Organics

The OANZ Council, where representatives from each of our member organisations discuss organic sector strategy, met in Wellington last week. High on the agenda was a discussion on how our organic standards can - and must - continue to evolve so that certified organic farming still “sets the bar” in providing quality products and environmental goods, using production methods of the highest integrity.

While OANZ is going to great lengths to point out the environmental benefits of organic farming to national and regional government, it is equally important that we highlight organics’ wider principles of fairness and care. These underlie the ethical code which sees fair treatment of workers and humane management of animals as integral to organic production.

New Zealand’s pork industry is currently struggling to deal with accusations that their definition of animal welfare leaves much to be desired, and the National Animal Welfare Advisory Council says that it will review the pig welfare code this year, having last overhauled it in 2005.

The apparent failure of some pig farmers to meet ethical - if not technical - standards shows the need for rules to be continually updated if they are to retain the public’s confidence.

Just as organic and ethical products have shifted from the “fringe” to the “mainstream”, the demands of organic consumers today will often be adopted by the general public in subsequent months or years. Other industries looking at their standards should study organics to see what the public definition of high-quality, ethical and sustainable products will one day be. And OANZ members agree that our own standards also need to keep evolving - ensuring that the principles and practice of organic production continues to reflect the future expectations of food and farming.

Budget offers hope for sustainability science

OANZ is pleased at yesterday’s Budget announcement of new priorities for the Ministry for the Environment, and hopes that the $190 million Primary Growth Partnership (PGP) will lead to a greater investment in organic innovation.

OANZ chairman Derek Broadmore says the announcement seems to mark the beginning of Government’s recognition that high quality spending works “for planet, people and profits.”

Mr Broadmore says in New Zealand, our greatest environmental and economic challenges are entwined. Agriculture and horticulture are our biggest export earners, but reductions in environmental impacts are essential to preserve our ecosystems and meet the demands of international markets.

He adds, certified organic systems are internationally recognised as the leading way to reduce dependency on farm inputs, improve water quality, enhance biodiversity and adapt to climate change. OANZ hopes that PGP funding will be invested in innovation which can benefit organic and conventional farms alike.

Mr Broadmore also says that organic producers have a great deal to offer the Ministry for the Environment in implementing its new priority areas of climate change, freshwater management, biodiversity, waste management and air quality.

“Organic systems deliver strong proven results across these areas, and we look forward to discussing ways that organic techniques can be adopted broadly across the primary sector,” Mr Broadmore says.

Possible funding source for organic research

Organic producers are being encouraged to look to TechNZ as a source of funding for research projects.

TechNZ is the Foundation for Research, Science and Technology’s business investment programme and is designed to support companies and people undertaking research and development projects that result in new products, processes or services.

To date, TechNZ investments of $450 million have helped about 4500 New Zealand businesses.

OANZ Chief Executive Officer Jon Tanner says TechNZ is a source of funding that the organic sector has tended to overlook, and he is encouraging organic producers to approach the agency to help fund ideas they have been developing.

TechNZ has a network of regional advisors located throughout the country who help companies successfully develop and commercialise their new product. More information at: www.frst.govt.nz/funding/business.

OANZ back at Fieldays

Organics Aotearoa NZ will be attending the National Agricultural Fieldays from June 10 to 13, with a site in the Premier Feature, celebrating the theme ‘My Land, Our Environment’.

The choice of an environmental theme reflects growing awareness that  New Zealand’s agricultural sector needs to give greater consideration to the environmental impacts of farming.

OANZ believes this is particularly important, in view of growing consumer awareness about the environment. This means New Zealand farming must ensure it maintains the highest environmental credentials, if we are to continue to enjoy access to key markets in Europe, the United States and, increasingly, Asia.

The OANZ site will also provide information for farmers who are interested in making the switch to organics. Previous OANZ sites at Fieldays in 2007 and 2008 have attracted a lot of questions from farmers particularly about the financial aspects of farming organically.With the high cost of inputs, particularly fertiliser, more and more farmers are realising that organics could make sound economic sense.

In 2007, OANZ attended Fieldays for the first time and our stall was judged best site in the Premier Feature.

National Organic Conference - Innovate: Go Organic!

Organics Aotearoa New Zealand is to hold its second National Organic Conference from November 13 to 15 at the University of Waikato, with the theme “Innovate: Go Organic!”

Conference sessions will focus on innovative ways to produce, market, and use organic products. Friday November 13 is dedicated to showcasing laboratory and on-farm research, while field trips will provide chances to visit a range of local organic farms.

The first keynote conference speakers to be confirmed are Jean-Guillaume & Jean-Philippe Bret, leading French winemakers from Burgundy.

The Bret Brothers produce high-value single estate wines using biodynamic methods, from their vineyard “La Soufrandière”. With an objective of growing “Exceptional Grapes for Exceptional Wines”, the Bret Brothers’ vines range from 25 to over 70 years of age - more than twice the age of the 32 and 33 year old winemakers.

The Bret Brothers are coming to New Zealand with assistance from the French Embassy in New Zealand.

Registration forms, along with more information about the conference, can be found on the conference website - www.goorganic.org.nz.

Government calls tenders to develop GHG footprinting for rural sectors

The government has called tenders to develop methodologies to measure the greenhouse gas footprint of several more of New Zealand’s agricultural and horticultural sectors.

The tenders are the latest stage of the New Zealand Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Footprinting Strategy for the Land-Based Primary Sectors, launched by the former Labour-led government at the end of 2007.

The strategy seeks to position New Zealand’s agricultural and horticultural sectors to respond to significant and increasing pressure by key export markets for information on the carbon footprint of food.

Eleven sector projects are already being funded by MAF under the GHG Footprint Strategy. These include the kiwifruit, dairy, red meat, forestry, wine, onions and berry-fruit sectors.

It is expected that Government will fund no more than 75% of the total cost of each proposed project.

The latest tender document notes that changes in consumer and retailer demands in some markets are driving substantial changes in the “value chains” that New Zealand’s primary industries participate in. There is an increasing expectation that products have sustainability credentials, and that these can be verified.

The document adds, the International Standards Organisation and World Resources Institute/World Business Council for Sustainable Development are both developing international standards for GHG footprinting of products and services.

GHG footprinting uses a life-cycle analysis approach to determine the total emissions of greenhouse gases (in carbon equivalents) across the life-cycle of a product or service.

Doctors warn: avoid genetically modified food

An influential group of American doctors, the American Academy of Environmental Medicine, has spoken out against the risks of eating genetically modified food.

The Academy has called on physicians to educate their patients, the medical community, and the public to avoid GM foods where possible. It has also called for a moratorium on GM foods, long-term independent studies, and labelling.

The Academy notes several animal studies indicate serious health risks associated with GM food, including infertility, immune problems, accelerated ageing, insulin regulation, and changes in major organs and the gastrointestinal system. They conclude, “There is more than a casual association between GM foods and adverse health effects. There is causation,” as defined by recognised scientific criteria.

“The strength of association and consistency between GM foods and disease is confirmed in several animal studies.”

Many doctors in the United States are already prescribing GM-free diets. They warn that pregnant women and babies are at the greatest risk.

Biologist David Schubert of the Salk Institute notes the experience of actual GM-fed experimental animals is scary. When GM soy was fed to female rats, most of their babies died within three weeks - compared to a 10% death rate among the control group fed natural soy.

When male rats were fed GM soy, their testicles actually changed colour - from the normal pink to dark blue.

Investigations in the state of Haryana, India, show that buffalo that eat GM cottonseed have complications such as premature deliveries, abortions, infertility, and prolapsed uteruses.

Food designed to produce toxin

GM corn and cotton are engineered to produce their own built-in pesticide in every cell. When bugs bite the plant, the poison splits open their stomach and kills them. Biotech companies claim that the pesticide, called Bt - produced from soil bacteria Bacillus thuringiensis - has a history of safe use, since organic farmers and others use Bt bacteria spray for natural insect control. Genetic engineers insert Bt genes into corn and cotton, so the plants do the killing.

The Bt-toxin produced in GM plants, however, is thousands of times more concentrated than natural Bt spray, is designed to be more toxic, has properties of an allergen, and unlike the spray, cannot be washed off the plant.

Moreover, studies confirm that even the less toxic natural bacterial spray is harmful. When dispersed by plane to kill gypsy moths in the Pacific Northwest, about 500 people reported allergy or flu-like symptoms. Some had to go to the emergency room.

The exact same symptoms are now being reported by farm workers throughout India, from handling Bt cotton.

Worst finding of all - GMOs remain inside of us

The only published human feeding study revealed what may be the most dangerous problem from GM foods. The gene inserted into GM soy transfers into the DNA of bacteria living inside our intestines and continues to function.[26] This means that long after we stop eating GMOs, we may still have potentially harmful GM proteins produced continuously inside of us. Put more plainly, eating a corn chip produced from Bt corn might transform our intestinal bacteria into living pesticide factories, possibly for the rest of our lives.

Famed Canadian geneticist David Suzuki answers, “The experiments simply haven’t been done and we now have become the guinea pigs.” He adds, “Anyone that says, ‘Oh, we know that this is perfectly safe,’ I say is either unbelievably stupid or deliberately lying.”

Recession challenges New Zealand organic meat producers

Meat exporter Silver Fern Farms says the market for organic meat is feeling the squeeze from the global economic recession.

The company’s livestock marketing manager, Grant Howie, says organic meat had been commanding a 10% premium in the UK until about six months ago but that margin has been reduced.

Mr Howie remains upbeat, however, stressing there is still a very good market in the UK and Europe for high quality organic lamb and that is what producers should be focussing on.

He adds the UK and European markets value meat of very high quality. Consumers who buy organic products are not prepared to compromise on tenderness, colour or flavour, and above all, product must be consistent week to week.

Mr Howie says in the UK, organic lamb is now selling for virtually the same price as standard lamb, with the retailers taking lower margins.

Whereas the market for organic lamb had been growing at 16 to 17% a year, Mr Howie says the growth has now ground to a halt. But he doesn’t expect market volume to drop, as long as New Zealand producers continue to provide quality organic meat.

Mr Howie adds that to grow the sector in future, Silver Fern Farms’ ‘plate to pasture’ integrated supply chain strategy will be crucial to avoid processors and wholesalers being played off against each other.

He believes organics have been hamstrung in the past because “no one has consolidated supply and marketed it in a strong way.”

In fact, Silver Fern Farms has doubled its organic lamb business in the past year and Mr Howie is confident it can be developed further, despite the economic downturn. He adds the company has made a “big commitment” to organic lamb.

UK government encourages organic food in hospitals

The UK Department of Health has issued new guidelines for hospitals, stressing the importance of serving sustainable food to patients, and promoting organics as one desirable option.

The report urges hospitals to consider food produced locally, in season and sustainably, taking into account its carbon footprint, food miles and other factors. It also gives examples of hospitals that are already using organic food.

For example, St Andrew’s Healthcare in Scotland has set a target for 20% of its food expenditure to be organic or ethically traded. And a hospital at Darlington in northern England is serving organic milk and cream to its patients.

Aust government funds organic farmers to adapt to climate change

The Organic Federation of Australia has been successful in receiving $240,000 in funding from the Australian government for running workshops to train organic farmers on adapting for climate change.

These workshops will be based on best practice science, which shows how organic systems can be more resilient in the weather extremes that are predicted to occur as climate change progresses.

They will also present a range of proven strategies that can reduce greenhouse emissions and can sequester carbon dioxide into the soil.

Latest issue of Harvests magazine

Drawing upon farmers’ first-hand experience, the latest issue of Harvests, (the magazine of the Biodynamic Farming and Gardening Association) looks at biodynamic sheep production. It features the economic benefit of pasture specialist David Musgrave’s approach using species other than just ryegrass and clover.

AgResearch’s David Scobie outlines the gains being made in sheep breeding to combat flystrike. There’s a comprehensive article on sustainable economic systems proposed by former World Bank economist Herman Daly. A profile of Demeter-certified dairy farmers, Dianne and Norman Baker rounds off Harvest’s unique agricultural coverage.

Harvests is mailed 3 times a year to Biodynamic Association members. To subscribe, email office@biodynamic.org.nz.

Organic apples have higher levels of antioxidants

Organically produced apples have an average of 12 per cent higher antioxidant levels than conventionally produced apples according to a study to be published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry

The organically produced apples displayed a higher phytochemical concentration and a higher antioxidant capacity than conventionally produced apples.

The researchers, led by Bernhard Watzl from the Federal Research Institute of Nutrition and Food in Karlsruhe, compared the polyphenol content and antioxidant capacity of Golden Delicious apples grown under organic and conventional conditions over a three year period (2004-2006).

According to their findings, in 2005 and 2006 the antioxidant capacity was 15 per cent higher in the organic fruit than the conventionally produced fruits. Organic apples grown in 2005 also had a higher polyphenol concentration. No differences between the organic and conventional fruit were observed when the researchers compared fruit from 2004 and 2006.

The researchers concluded the organically grown apples showed a tendency of higher phytochemical concentrations compared to the conventionally produced apples (10 per cent), resulting in a 12 per cent higher antioxidant capacity in the course of three years.
Diary these dates

June 3, 2009. Soil & Tree Health Field Day. Raukawa Orchard, 60 Raukawa Road, Hastings. Organised by the Organic Pipfruit Growers Association. More information: Nicole Masters, Integrity Soils, phone 0274 523 900 email nicole@integritysoils.co.nz.

June 5 and 7, 2009. Te Waka Kai Ora National Wananga. Roma Marae, Ahipara.
Powhiri Friday 5th June 10am; and Poroporoake Sunday 7th 12 noon.

Calling together Maori organic farmers and gardeners to enjoy korero and kai in the winterless north, including Hua Parakore (kaupapa Maori framework for farming and gardening) Growers Hui, celebration of the young gardeners who participated in the TOPIS Te Manawhenua challenge and Italian inspiration in the wharekai with celebrated Slow Food chef Maria Pia.

This wananga will be a celebration of our kaupapa, our whanaungatanga and the plentiful harvest we share both now and in the future. This wananga will be an opportunity to share our mahi and korero around the direction we want to see Hua Parakore take.

For information and registration contact: Pounamu Skelton, TWKO National Coordinator,
Phone 06 7546256 or 021 373519 or email pounamu1@ihug.co.nz  or visit www.huamaori.com.

June 16, 2009. Hawke’s Bay Organic Winegrowers Field Day. Millton Vineyard, Manutuke. A great opportunity to visit one of New Zealand’s most respected biodynamic/organic vineyards and winery. Contact Terry Fraser 021 2234217, or email terryfraser@fruition.net.nz  to book.

June 23-25, 2009. NZ Soil Carbon Conference, Napier. A gathering to focus on climate change, carbon markets, the role of biological farming in sequestering soil carbon and where this is all leading us. More information at www.soilcarbonconference.co.nz including a list of the speakers. Contact Phyllis Tichinin, Bio Ag NZ, Havelock North, email: bioagnz@encore-events.net.nz.

—————————————–

Organic Certification - Why Bother… And How?
A series of workshops run by the OANZ Organic Advisory Programme.

Farmers, growers and export companies throughout New Zealand are choosing organic certification to set their product apart in the marketplace. This workshop will help you understand the certification process and the key points of difference between standards set by New Zealand’s four main organic certifiers, so you can make the right choice for your business.

Friday 19th June 2009 - Havelock North (9.30 am - 4.00 pm)
Register: Marion Thompson Phone: 06 8704942 marion@shbt.org.nz 

Wednesday 8th July 2009 - Clyde (9.30 am - 4.00 pm)
Register: Jenny Fraser Mobile: 027 6565659 jfraser@hortresearch.co.nz

Friday 10th July - Blenheim (10.00 am - 4.00 pm)
Register: Rebecca Reider Phone: 03 525 6111 organicrebecca@xtra.co.nz

Presented by Mark Levick from Organic Change Management, who has many years’ experience in organic certification standards.

The workshops will cover:

• How can certification benefit your organic business?
• What certification choices do you have?
• What’s involved in becoming certified? Get the inside story from farmers and growers who have gone through the process.
• Start a best practice management plan for your business.
• Learn how to apply for certification, get help and keep up to date with certification scheme changes.

Representatives from New Zealand’s four organic certifiers have been invited - BioGro NZ, AsureQuality, Organic Farm NZ and Demeter.

More Information: Heather Atkinson, 06 307 7838 or heather.atkinson@oanz.org.nz.

—————————————–

August 6 - 9, 2009. Terraquaculture Training. Four day Short Course - Introducing Asia-Pacific Terraquaculture, with Prof Haikai Tane and Brendan Hoare. At Aio Wira Centre, Waitakere City.

Cost: Early bird $1450 till 19 June. Full fee $1550 from 20 June. More information: Sheryl Lam,
sherylam@kinect.co.nz or phone 03 435 0366.
Organics News Roundup

Organics surge drives Woolworths buy
The Land (Australia) 15/05/2009

Biological Farmers of Australia (BFA) says the acquisition of the independent organic retail outlet Macro Wholefoods by major supermarket chain Woolworths is a sign the organic industry is gathering momentum. It will now be rebranded as Thomas Dux Grocer, an incorporated into the fresh grocer/deli launched by Woolworths last year, which currently operates two stores in Sydney’s Lane Cove and Paddington.

“Increasing interest in organic foods from major and mainstream retailers confirms recognition that this industry holds a promising future,” says Dr Andrew Monk, BFA director and Standards Committee convenor.

“This recent sale clearly shows leading retailers are acknowledging the benefits in integrating organic into their broader market offering.”

He says organic is becoming harder for major operators to ignore, with the retail value of the organic market reported at approximately $600 million last year. More … http://theland.farmonline.com.au/news/nationalrural/agribusiness-and-general/finance/organics-surge-drives-woolworths-buy/1514411.aspx?src=enews

NZ should note Tasmania’s clean green GE-free approach

New Zealand should follow Tasmania’s acknowledgement of the advantages of its clean green image on Wednesday when it extended its ban on the release of genetically engineered organisms to the environment for another five years, according to the Soil & Health Association of NZ.

“Supported by our Parliament, New Zealand’s primary industries need to take on the vision of sustainability and a genuine brand of clean and green to take on the opportunities as identified by the Tasmanian Minister for Primary Industries,” said Soil & Health spokesperson Steffan Browning.

“Tasmania’s GMO-free status is a vital factor for our primary producers, helping them realise their full potential in international and interstate markets,” said Mr David Llewellyn, Tasmanian Minister for Primary Industries and Water, later adding, “The prime markets are demanding, and are prepared to pay for, food that is clean, green and safe.”

” Here in New Zealand, Crown Research Institutes are pushing a future with genetic engineering while also being the best examples of bad practice, such as Plant & Food Research’s recent GE Brassica field trial disaster and Scion’s aborted GE pine tree field trial last year,” said Soil & Health spokesperson Mr Browning. More … http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0905/S00290.htm

The individual comments and views in this newsletter do not necessarily represent the view of OANZ.