The Organic Federation of Australia is collaborating in carefully planned research and development to help Australian organic producers, processors and retailers to maximise the impact of this important farming system, Federal Member for Indi Mrs Sophie Mirabella said on Friday.

Mrs Mirabella was announcing the release of the Organic Industry Research and Development Plan for 2006-2011 from the Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation (RIRDC), on behalf of the Parliamentary Secretary for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, the Hon Sussan Ley MP.

The R&D Plan sets priorities and strategies for the organic industry’s research and development (R&D) program for the next five years. It will be implemented in partnership with the industry’s peak body, the Organic Federation of Australia (OFA).

“Organics is one of the fastest growing sectors in the global food industry. Australia is already a world leader with 12 million hectares under organic cultivation– more than any other country,” Mrs Mirabella said.

“However, demand for organics outstrips supply in most markets and most categories.”

A major focus of the RIRDC R&D Plan is removing constraints to the industry’s growth.

“The Organic Industry Research and Development Plan for 2006-2011 has three key objectives: to improve the performance of organic farming systems; to address supply-chain and food safety issues; and to assess the ecological performance of organic farming systems,” Mrs Mirabella said.

 “Its three research objectives are to improve organic farming system performance, to address supply chain and food safety issues and technical barriers, and to assess the ecological performance of organic farming systems,” she said.

In many cases R&D conducted for conventional farming systems can be readily modified to meet the needs of organic producers, processors and markets.

Under the R&D Plan, relevant knowledge from conventional agriculture research will be adapted, and gaps for future research identified.

“The Organic Federation of Australia is very grateful for the substantial investment that RIRDC has put into R&D for our industry,” said Andre Leu, Chairman of the Organic Federation of Australia.

“It is a very exciting time to be involved in the organic industry – we are truly one of the good news stories in agriculture.”

The Organic Industry Research and Development Plan – 2006-2011is available from RIRDC. For more details visit www.rirdc.gov.au/pub/org5yr.htm or call (02) 6272 4819.

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Media enquiries:
RIRDC:   Martin Field  02 6272 4735
Mrs Mirabella’s office: Brendan Rowswell 0402 916 952