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Rural Industries Research & Development Corporation |
Australian Organics is a joint newsletter of RIRDC and OFA. It is distributed quarterly by direct mail to 4,500 researchers, industry, government, farmers, libraries and consultants. Contributions are welcome. Contact Ewan Colquhoun RIRDC Organic Produce Research Manager, Phone: (07) 38317330, Fax: (07) 3832 7298, Email: macagri@ozemail.com.au To be on the mailing list, contact publications@rirdc.gov.au
Organic farmers in North Queensland are an innovative lot. They have to be to overcome the many challenges posed by a tropical climate.
While the number of certified producers is small, there is a steady stream of conversions as farmers learn from peer group experience in the absence of instruction manuals. Greg Messer of Alligator Creek, just south of Townsville expresses the typical self-help attitude, which pervades the north.
"So much of our experience has come from trial and error. You have to develop a farming system to cope with the heat and the intense rainfall," he said.
Mr Messer is a former charter boat operator who fell into the natural lifestyle on a small 10 ha block without consciously setting out to become an organic farmer. On rich alluvial flats almost surrounded by dense bushland he produces a range of winter vegetables and melons complemented by mangoes and pawpaws.
"I was farming without using chemicals a long time before I got around to completing the registration paperwork."
Mr Messer crops on raised plastic-covered rows spaced a metre apart to accommodate a narrow tractor for cultivation. Crops are fenced off to protect them from hoards of wallabies, but the fences have to be pulled up each summer as the flats submerge under floodwater.
Greg Messer of Alligator
Creek, Qld., expresses the typical self-help attitude of the north
Regular release of parasitic wasps is his major defense against grubs and caterpillars. Parthenium weed has been a scourge since finding its way into the district two years ago and Mr Messer is pinning his hopes for control on a promising new strain of rust.
He is dedicated to encouraging more organic production to help meet market demand, particularly for winter vegetables in southern capitals. He was instrumental in setting up the Herbert-Burdekin Organic Producers Association, which has six certified members with up to 20 potential conversions.
The Herbert-Burdekin group is an affiliate of the Organic Producers Association of Queensland whose secretary Andre Leu is another tropical pioneer in the Daintree Valley, about 100 km north of Cairns.
Mr Leu has a 12 ha fruit plantation which has been certified since 1973. Lychees and rambutans are his main crops with some star apple, mangosteens and durians. He is exploring export potential in Europe, Japan and the US.
Mr Leu said organic farmers in the north had found considerable benefits from structuring their local groups as part of the mainstream Queensland Fruit and Vegetable Growers.
"We want to be taken seriously and be part of the information loop when decisions are being made that can impact on our operations," he said.
"The level of Government interest is now pleasing with plans to appoint an organic extension officer and begin organic trials in the tropics."
Mr Leu’s fruit plantation is protected from erosion during tropical downpours by a dense mat of Singapore daisy kept under control by grazing with a flock of geese.
Banana grower Frank Rick of Innisfail, south of Cairns, is on a steep organic learning curve after farming conventionally for almost 30 years.
"Controlling fungal diseases is a real challenge, particularly in the super-wet year we’ve just been through," Mr Rick said.
He targets the Melbourne market with fruit year round and has been attracting price premiums to offset lower crop yields.
Mr Rick has achieved good erosion control with pinto peanuts established through his plantation. A side benefit has been a reduction in rat damage to fruit as the rodents turn to burrowing underground and feeding on peanuts.
"It’s very interesting to share ideas and see how other organic farmers cope with the tropical conditions," Mr Rick said.
The business of your RIRDC
Committee is to extract the best returns for industry from our organic
R&D investment. Three reports publishing shortly from the Corporation
give me confidence we are on track to deliver on this investment. In a
month or so watch out for these reports developed over the last three years:
Maximizing R&D performance
in organics is all about having good people focussed on our case. We certainly
need people who know in detail what we do and where we are going, but we
also need folks who bring change, innovation and experience from other
perspectives.
Following the appointment process managed by jointly by the OFA and RIRDC, I am pleased to introduce a number of new faces to our R&D Advisory Committee. The new committee strikes a balance between certified producers and PhD’s across the supply chain, and across other national R&D interests. Members of the new committee are presented on page 9.
The Corporation is also pleased to announce Don Fraser as the new Chair of the R&D Committee. Don has had a long career in the food industry, having been responsible for large supermarkets here, in the USA and Europe. His most recent post was as CEO of Franklins Australia.
In addition Lisa Palu has joined the Corporation on a part time basis to manage the National Organic Conference planned for late August 2001. Lisa has contributed details of the conference on page 8. Her regular updates will continue. This gathering will be a milestone event for our emerging industry. But perhaps the most important recent appointment to our industry is Merryn James who has recently taken over management of our office at RIRDC in Canberra. I suggest you note Merryn’s number (Ph:02 6272 4205, merrynj@rirdc.gov.au) as a top priority.
Ewan Colquhoun
RIRDC Organic Produce
Research Manager
Ph: 07 3831 7330; Fax:
07 3832 7298
Email: macagri@ozemail.com.au
Following the announcement of this initiative in the last issue, the full committee of OFA met in Melbourne mid-June where it worked on an action plan to implement the Rural Plan Project. Some readjustments in timelines were inevitable following AFFA’s decision to reduce the grant period from 24 months to 12 months, these made allowances for the time spent rewriting parts of the contract with AFFA.
The Rural Plan sub-committee was given the go-ahead to identify and recommend a Strategic Planning Consultant out of eleven possible candidates, put a proposal to the OFA for an all of industry development scheme. From this eleven there will be a shortlist which will lead to the selection of the Planning Consultant. A dedicated OFA office will be set up where the process can begin to design an industry strategy for development which will include significant consultation and public comment from all sectors of the industry. Government and industry members are excited about the potential outcomes particularly how they will complement research underway through Commonwealth and State initiatives. The OFA intends to work closely with the RIRDC organic program to capture crossover benefits where applicable.
In a report to RIRDC, delivered only in the last weeks, consultants, Rod May and Andy Monk have examined the status and the challenges facing the Australian National Standards for Organic and Biodynamic Production both in terms of content and process.
A number of issues relating to content, some of which are currently being addressed by the new National Standards Committee are identified as crucial to maintaining the standards to which all AQIS accredited certifiers must comply.
The articulation of general principles and criteria for the evaluation of input product rate high on the list. Currently there are no specific terms of reference for amending the lists of permissible inputs.
Regarding inputs, and in relation to other national and supra-national Standards and Guidelines, there is need to look closely at specific materials.
In relation to pest and disease control, the issue of copper will need to be examined in the light of international re-appraisal of this permitted, but less than ideal input. Animal feeds are another area which may require scrutiny, especially the relatively restricted provision for percentages of conventional feed stuffs in developing animal sectors.
The existing lists of inputs for production and processing are also in need of revision and the issue of sanitisers and preservatives are included.
The delicate issue of water and its origins came up as an area requiring articulation, and the development of a more operationally based treatment of GMOs in the food chain is seen as important.
In terms of operating procedures, there is some need to revisit these and whilst the National Standards are generally well placed to achieve the necessary equivalence in operation, annual reporting of production may need to be improved.
With regard to the standards setting process and the input into those standards, there is possibly most opportunity for reform in the medium long term.
The report found that there is a risk that as the industry grows and greater focus is placed on process, that a more broadly consultative method of standards revision should be considered. Indeed, in line with growing expectations of a separation between certification and standards setting, the report recommends that a rethink be carried out concerning the representation of the "organic community" in the standards setting process.
The role of the OFA in this development was underscored as a mechanism that helped to ensure that the standards remain the property of the community both now and in the future.
Additionally the report noted that certain components of the standards should remain. In particular, the capacity for private certifiers to go beyond the National Standards and the capacity for those certifiers to use their trade marks to denote any higher standards without restriction are vital.
In whatever form the National Standards develop, there remains a need to not only ensure that they are capable of parity with supra-national standards, but that those issues requiring variations for Australia’s unique production environment be made clear and lobbied for at international forums.
Twenty-two responses were received for the tender, which was advertised in The Australian and on the interim OFA website.
These are being circulated to the subcommittee established to oversee the project.
Watch out for the first stage of the new website scheduled to be on-line at http://www.ofa.org.auin October.
An important and useful part of the tender is an up-to-date website electronic database from which trade and other contacts can develop and which will also be used in a regularly updated hard-copy directory available for sale and at international and domestic trade events.
Stephen & Jo Whitsed of Corryong were presented with the CRT Victorian Farmer of the year award. They beat conventional and alternative farming enterprises with their vertically integrated, family run business which produces and processes organic low fat milk and cream under the Snowy Mountain label.
The OFA Annual General Meeting - this will be taking place as Australian Organics goes to press.
We’ll have full coverage in the next issue of this meeting which will incorporate a workshop format like last year.
Opportunities for Australian Organic Dairy Production
Mrs Fiona Chambers
Rendell McGuckian
Box 2410 Mail Centre
BENDIGO VIC 3554
Phone:(03) 5441 4821;
Fax:(03) 5441 2788 Email:Rendmcgk@bendigo.net.au
Project Background
World sales of organic products are estimated to be $US 11 billion (1997), with a projected trade of $US100 billion by 2006. Australia has established a good international reputation for its national organic standard and related export regulations. Australian Dairy products have been identified as one of the high priority commodities for further development into organics
Research
Six industry leaders (from Australia, UK and New Zealand) provided an overview to the global trends and opportunities for Australia Organic Dairy Productions. Following the forum, participants were divided into workshop groups to identify key issues and barriers and priority actions.
Outcomes
Nine key industry recommendations and the formation of a national dairy organics working group are direct outcomes from the forum. The working group is now developing an action plan for the expansion of the organic dairy sector within the mainstream Australian Dairy Industry.
Implications
This project has identified that the rapidly expanding international market for organic produce is providing a number of key opportunities for the Australian Diary Industry. On-farm conversions to organic practices have shown to provide substantial financial, environmental and social benefits in Britain where farmers have made strategic alliances with supermarkets and processors in a deregulated market environment.
Pamela Horsley
Kondinin Group
Phone: (02) 6921 4047;
Fax: (02) 6921 4182
Email: Pamelah@kondinin.com.au
Objectives & Background
To produce an information manual on organic farming that will assist both new & prospective farmers in their quest for good quality independent information that will help them make more informed decisions.
Increasing global concern over the use of chemicals in agriculture is behind a growing trend of using organic methods of agricultural production. While adoption of organic practices doubled from 1990 to1995 it is believed this rate of adoption would increase if there was a greater level of understanding achieved throughout the agricultural community about the factors involved in organic farming.
But the absence of a clear understanding of the issues involved with organic farming and the opportunities available continue to impede adoption of these methods by conventional producers.
Research
Through liaison with existing industry organisations and through farmer surveys and focus groups an appropriate information manual has been developed. This includes a detailed explanation of organic farming principles and conversion procedures, methods of pest and weed control, certification procedures, potential marketing strategies, industry contacts and an evaluation of the performance of organic methods of production compared to conventional farming. The project brings together existing published research and extension information with practical guidelines from established organic producers and consultants. The report has been compiled into an easy to read and understand information package which will help guide conventional farmers into the organic farming industry.
Outcomes and Implications
There has been a high level of interest in the organic industry in recent months, from both agricultural producers and consumers. Demand is even outstripping supply in some industries, in both the domestic and export markets. It is hoped the information generated by this project will be used to increase the level of organic production in Australia in a wide range of agricultural industries.
As the organic industry grows
with the help of reports like this one, the benefits will be far reaching,
in both economic and environmental terms with growth in the domestic and
export industry, as well as the long term benefits of more sustainable
agricultural production.
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Soil Structure: One of the principle agents responsible for the soil granulation is the action of grass roots, especially those associated with long term pastures. The earthworm must also be regarded as essential to the formation of good soil strucutre through the various gums it produces during the ingestion of soil. (Source: Bio-dynamic farming practice, Sattler & Urlstinghousen, 1989, Cambridge University Press) |
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Composting: The temperature profile through a compost pile. Temperature starts at the surrounding air temp. but as the micro-organisims grow the temperature increases. |
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Composting: The difference between a layered pile and a pre-mixed pile. |
Victoria
Fiona Chambers
The Victorian Goverment has just launched a new initiative called ‘Naturally Victorian’, worth $7million over four years. To be managed by DNRE, it has a new program focussing on sustainable organic farming systems attracting $260,000 each year for the next three years. The aim is to increase conversion to organic farming systems and increase organic exports by $30 million by 2003. For details contact Sue Titcumb at DNRE Ballarat on phone 03 5333 6933.
In June, Moorabool Council launched a major push into organic agriculture. It aims to increase employment in the Shire and returns to farmers through supply to the growing markets for chemical-free food. Five Shires are supporting an initiative by Gippsland Organic Livestock Incorporated (GOLI) to develop a strategic plan for an organic meat industry in the region. For information contact Liz Clay on phone (03) 5628 9557.
In South Gippsland, a group of dairy producers has received funding from their local Shire for a feasibility study into opportunities for expanding organic dairy production and establishing markets to ensure sustainable industry growth. Fiona Chambers has received a Jack Green Churchill Fellowship to travel to the UK, Europe and America in 2001 to study different approaches to facilitating the growth of organic farming practices within mainstream agriculture, particularly in the dairy industry. For more information contact Fiona on 03 5348 5566.
South Australia
David Bruer
New activities in SA include planning for two new organic vineyards, both in the Souh-East. More imported organic processed goods are coming to the market at reasonable prices, such as Italian canned tomatoes. The SA Government is currently considering employing a full time organic development officer within SARDI. Stay tuned!
Problems areas continue to be:
a) an inability of certifying bodies to have a united front, resulting in confusion amongst consumers; and
b) demand exceeding supply - more farmers need to go into conversion.
Retail sales for the April-June quarter have been strong, with excellent results in fruit and leafy vegetables. Export sales are steady, again with the strong demand for organic wine unable to be met.
Western Australia
Mark Ucich
Workshops, Symposiums and Seminars have been flowing thick and fast – exploring the vast array of topics involved in Organics and BD. These have ranged from a formally structured Organic Agriculture Symposium presented by Ag WA and The University of WA to the very causal NASAA WA Information Day. These events were of high quality - from very capable presenters and a diverse range of people attending with a common interest in the continuing development of the Organic industry in WA.
One of the main outcomes of the NASAA information day came from the certified growers present. They want WA Organic groups to take a more cooperative approach and the new committee will be taking this on board.
The aim will be to develop an umbrella group to work together twoards the development of the industry in WA. WA retailers have noted the supply of fresh fruit and vegetables has slowed due to the seasonality of production in the south of the state, with larger quantities of produce coming from the eastern states.
Tasmania
Jane Diflo
Certified organic farming in Tasmania is in a steady growth phase attracting new growers and conventional converts. The Huon Valley Organic Co-operative assisted by the H.V. Regional Development Board, is working on a Strategic Plan for certified organic growers in the Valley.
The DPIWE Organic unit is establishing more organic trial areas providing much needed R&D on pest management in broadacre vegetable crops and apple orchards.
The State Government is calling for public submissions before deciding its final position on GMO’s. It has placed a 12 month moratorium on GE trial crops.
Fruit and vegetable varieties are increasing with more supply coming from local growers. Organic consumers can now choose from an ever-expanding range of packaged goods, but must shop warily as prices can vary greatly.
After many months of planning Food Safety Handling courses - geared to the organic industry - will soon be held in the south of the state. Enquires to 03 6366-3209.
New South Wales
Cheryl Kemp
Catriona Macmillan reports on the Royal Easter Show " We achieved an amazing response… The team I’ve worked with over the past four years put itsheart and soul in to producing a very professional exhibit .... The major wholesalers really came to the party as did retailers, farmers and characters like Dick Neil...We had almost 100 volunteers over the 16 days and the display won a HIGHLY RECOMMENDED award, presented to the OFA..." Catriona compiles the Organic Directory to pay for the display, with 80 businesses on the directory. The whole industry benefits from promotion of the farmer-consumer link to the 1.5million visitors over the 16 days. 50,000 directories are printed and are still being distributed. Thanks to Catriona for all the hard work supporting the Organic Industry, retailers and consumers.
The Southern Cross University targeted tourism and new industries, stimulating interest in regional cuisine with its very successful Mid Coast Agribusiness-Regional Cuisine Conference held at Coffs Harbour in July. It featured a great display from the organic groups and producers.
Another interesting agribusiness starting in Northern NSW is the Cellulose Valley Enterprise, supported by the Southern Cross University. As part of its Natural Therapies Degree in Herbalism, the University has encouraged growth in the local organic herb industry with processing to herbal products. A full laboratory service to test and check end products is a great boost. Research will be carried out into the many aspects affecting specific qualities of the herbs.
The Bio-Dynamic Farming and Gardening Association of Australia Inc. has been running a number of workshops with Hugh Lovel from the USA, with a lot of interest, both in the advanced biodynamics and two workshops in Toowoomba, Qld and Orange, NSW for those thinking of converting. The Master Market Gardening Workshop at John Shelley’s was well attended by farmers from all over NSW, Qld and Victoria.
Northern Territory
Ken Wood
As far as the NT Government goes, organics is a non-event. While the number of growers is increasing, there is no Department contact to answer any queries regarding organics. If it takes government as long to develop an organic advisory division as it took to get the HACCP, Coolchain or preferred supplier program up and running we are in for a long wait! Coming up are seminars by Graeme Sait and Gary Zimmer in Darwin and in Katherine in August. Also in August, DAF and NTHA are hosting an open day at Coastal Plains, where organics and Bio-dynamics will be represented by BDRI, BFA and NASAA. For enquiries phone 08 8978 2607.
A.C.T.
Liz Posmyk and Peter
Poulos
The Capital has enjoyed a steady growth in retail sales. Unfortunately, as the winter has been hard going, very little has been grown on the ACT’s certified farms. However, a Canberra-based organic wholesaler has achieved encouraging sales in South-East Queensland, Victoria, South Australia and a wider area within NSW.
Media-wise, organics are being featured very heavily. The Canberrra Times has just published a supportive and informative five-page spread in its Food and Wine section. This kind of publicity clearly indicates that the nation’s capital is now making progress in raising consumer awareness of the importance of quality organic foods. The feature was well written and will have a good impact on all the hard working organic businesses in the region.
Queensland
Andy Monk
Excellent support from DPI, as well as new interest from Department of State Development (DSD) is resulting in more field events, seminars and information sessions. The creation of a DPI instigated Queensland database, openly available to the market, is a step towards greater market and production intelligence for the industry.
The recent DSD sponsored European trip with broad multi-sector representation has returned, with workshop presentations across the State to producers, processors, marketers and government personnel.
Production activity continues to be affected by the vagaries of the weather. The colder weather momentarily forced prices upwards in the horticulture sector. The beef industry appears to be on a continuing path of consolidation for future significant supply, and there is also significant movement in the dairy sector – with the consequences of deregulation now looming. This in turn should have significant impact on demand for certified feed grains in the coming years – as will the demand from other promising intensive sectors such as poultry and porcine production, and possibly even aquaculture.
National Organic Conference to assist Australian Agriculture Rise to the Organic Challenge.
In recognition of the growing importance of and interest in organic food production in Australia, the organic industry will next year stage a national conference.
Expected to attract around 400 participants, including primary producers, research scientists, agri-business representatives and government decision-makers, the conference will be held at Darling Harbour in Sydney on 27 & 28 August 2001.
There is nothing accidental about the timing or the Darling Harbour venue for the organic conference. Organisers have taken advantage of the enormous opportunity to hook into the Fine Food Australia exhibition, which is being held at Darling Harbour at the same time. Find Food Australia showcases the latest innovations in food, drink and equipment. It attracts 500 exhibitors from Australia and overseas, and is visited by more than 24,000 people from the hospitality industry including representative from supermarkets, convenience stores, restaurants, clubs, hotels and catering institutions.
The organisers of Fine Food Australia are excited about the prospect of introducing a new section for organic food to their highly successful trade show, which has been running for 20 years. For the growers of organic food, it represents an excellent opportunity to showcase their product to potential customers. An interesting and informative two-day program of speakers, business and plenary sessions will be held along side the food exhibition. With the generous support of the Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation (RIRDC), the conference will help to further unite the industry as it rises to the challenge of supplying the food and fibre of the future.
Former ABC Radio Rural Reporter, Lisa Palu was been engaged by RIRDC to manage the conference. She will take direction from a committee of key organic industry representatives. Immediately prior to taking up her new role with RIRDC, Lisa worked for the Queensland timber industry and last year organised its national conference. She can be contact at organicconference@rirdc.gov.au
Conference Management Committee
A committee and series of sub-committees have been set up to organise the conference.
The sub-committees are:
1. Promotion and Trade Show The sub-committee will ensure that strong awareness is created about the conference through the extensive use of all relevant networks and the media.
This sub-committee will also ensure that the organic industry’s involvement in the Fine Food Australia exhibition meets the needs of the industry, individual producers and promotes the industry as broadly as possible.
This sub-committee will be chaired by consultant, Catriona Macmillan. Her phone number is 02-9365 7668.
2. Program and Posters The role of this sub-committee is to assemble a highly relevant, informative and entertaining program of issues, topics and speakers drawn from both Australia and overseas. Papers presented by the conference speakers will be complimented by papers presented via posters.
This will ensure the conference captures the full range of issues and ideas and will broaden the number and scope of contributors to the conference.
Rod May from the National Association for Sustainable Agriculture Australia (NASAA) will chair this sub-committee. His phone number is 03-5345 7342.
3. Awards & Scholarship To encourage industry excellence and reward achievement, a new Award will be presented at the conference dinner, to be held on the evening on Monday 27 August 2001. Setting the criteria of this important new initiative, establishing the judging process, and devising an appropriate Award, will be the role of this sub-committee.
David Bruer from the Organic Vignerons Association of Australia (OVVA) will chair this sub-committee. His phone number is 08-8431 0911.
The overall Management Committee will be Chaired by RIRDC Organic Product Research Manager, Ewan Colquhoun. Its members are Catriona Macmillan, Rod May and David Bruer, the sub-committee chairs mentioned above; together with Don Fraser, RIRDC Organic Produce Advisory Committee Chair; Scott Kinnear of the Organic Federation of Australia (OFA); and Lisa Palu, conference manager.
If you would like further information about the conference or food exhibition, you can contact Lisa at the RIRDC offices in Canberra on Mondays on telephone 02-6272 4404, and email Lisa.Palu@rirdc.gov.au, or at any other time on mobile 0408 195 277. If you are interested in being part of the conference organisation please contact Ewan Colquhoun, on telephone 07-3831 7330 or email macagri@ozemail.com.au.
A new Organic Produce Research & Development Advisory Committee, including a new chairperson, has been announced by the Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation (RIRDC).
The new Committee, which guides the government R&D investment in the organic industry, is as follows:
Chairperson – Don Fraser
The
organic industry is fortunate to have secured the services of Don Fraser,
who comes from a long career in the food industry, with involvement in
the USA, Spain and Asia in addition to Australia and New Zealand. Don is
currently an independent Management Consultant/Corporate Advisor, based
in Melbourne, following recent retirement from line management in the food
retail industry.
Don has been an Executive Director of the Safeway supermarket group for 17 years and General Manager of Woolworths Queensland.
For the past five years, Don worked for the Hong Kong based Dairy Farm International, a company operating 1900 supermarkets, convenience stores and restaurants in nine Asia Pacific countries.
His roles with Dairy Farm included International Fresh Food Development Director, Joint Managing Director of Simago in Spain, CEO of Franklins, and Regional Director with responsibility for New Zealand and Australia.
Telephone - (03) 9841
7794
Email - dofrase@attglobal.net
Kenrick Riley
Kenrick
is an organic farmer in the Northern Rivers of NSW and also conducts a
media consultancy business.
Throughout the 1990’s, he held several senior positions in the Queensland Government associated with natural resource management, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander policy, and rural community development.
Prior to joining the Queensland public service, Kenrick edited Eco-Age, Australia’s first organic farming newspaper and was the Editor of the Queensland Country Life newspaper, following a extensive experience in both the print and electronic media.
Telephone - (02) 6688
8163
Email – kenrick.riley@lis.net.au
Steven McCoy
Steven
is currently a Development Officer for Agriculture Western Australia working
on two projects, Organic Farming and Organic Vegetable Production.
He is also an independent organic farm inspector, assessing farming systems compliance with NASAA or OHGA Standards of Organic Agriculture.
Prior to working for Agriculture Western Australia, Steven has had a background in organic and biodynamic food trading; horticultural training; farm consulting, and horticultural production. Steven has also worked for NASAA as a national director and been its WA State President.
Telephone – (08) 9368
3960
Email – smccoy@agric.wa.gov.au
Dr Els Wynen
Els
is an agricultural economist who completed her PhD at La Trobe University,
Melbourne in 1989.
Her thesis was called "Sustainable and Conventional Agriculture: An Economic Analysis of Australian Cereal-Livestock Farming".
In the mid 1980’s, Els was a co-founder of the National Association for Sustainable Agriculture, Australia (NASAA) and since then has had an active involvement in NASAA and a range of other organic organisations, including the International Federation for Organic Agricultural Movements (IFOAM).
Since 1991, Dr Wynen has been employed as the Agricultural Economics and Trade Specialist at the Australian Parliament House Library. During this time, she has also consulted in the economics of ecologically sustainable agriculture and waste management.
Telephone - (02) 6258
3561
Email – els.wynen@attglobal.net
Andrew Monk
Andrew
is a Partner and Director of Cool-Chain Primary Production, Processing
and Refrigerated Logistics, supplying certified organic produce.
He is the Executive Auditor and Technical Officer- Biological Farmers of Australia (BFA) and advises on technical matters relating to organic regulation standards - nationally and internationally.
Andrew completed a PhD thesis in 1999 at the University of Wollongong. "Sustaining Organic Agriculture in Australia" - a technical and socio-economic exploration of the organic industry in Australia and its relationship to broader issues pertaining to sustainable farming and food industry practices.
Telephone – (07) 5496
0000
Email – a.monk@bigpond.com
Rod May
Rod
has had long term experience in the needs of the organic industry, both
from a research and a training basis.
He has excellent knowledge on organic standards both from a domestic and international level as well as being aware of the issues facing the industry.
Rod is a farmer from Central Victoria and a part time consultant in Ecological Production Systems.
Telephone – (03) 5345
7342
Email – capck@bnc.com.au
Chris Alenson
Chris
is currently the President of the Organic Retailers & Growers Association
of Australia (ORGAA) and has an ongoing commitment to the development of
a safer, more environmentally friendly and more socially just food supply
system.
Chris has a professional background in earth sciences, specialising in soil mineralogy. He is a consultant in sustainable/ecological agriculture specialising in assessment of on farm sustainability indicators.
Telephone – (03) 5968
3040
Email – oas@alphalink.com.au
Doug Haas
Doug
is a specialist horticultural farmer from Yepoon in Central Queensland.
He has been on the Organic R&D Advisory Committee for the last 18 months
and brings strong experience in organic industry management and the valuable
role certifiers play in the direction of the industry and the incorporation
of R&D at the membership level.
Doug has recently been reappointed as the Chairman of one of the larger certifying agencies, the Biological Farmers of Australia.
Telephone – (07) 4939
7858
Email – bfa@icr.com.au
Ewan Colquhoun – Research Manager
Ewan has held the research manager’s role for the last three years. He has also acted as Chairman of the Advisory Committee during this period. Ewan is an agribussiness consultant based in Brisbane.
Telephone – (07) 3831
7330
Email – macagri@ozemail.com.au
James – Program Assistant
Merryn has recently joined the Organic Products sub program area in RIRDC as the Program Assistant. If you have any queries then please don’t hesitate to contact Merryn.
Telephone – (02) 6272
4205
Email – merrynj@rirdc.gov.au
Primary producers in Western Queensland have shown strong interest in organic production, according to the organisers of information workshops held earlier this year.
Funded by the Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation (RIRDC), the workshops were designed to give Western producers information, advice and assistance on the emerging opportunities in organic production.
Held at Barcaldine in the Central West and Cunnamulla in the South West of Queensland, the workshops were organised by the Department of Primary Industries (DPI).
According to the DPI’s Lindsay Coghill the attendance of 34 at Barcaldine and 22 at Cunnamulla was an excellent response. The aim of the days was to bring organic industry representatives to Western Queensland to disseminate accurate advice and information on all facets of the organic industry to genuinely interested producer groups and individual producers.
"Armed with this information, these producers now have the ability to seriously consider if organic production is for them or not," said
Mr Coghill. Follow up activities have been organised due to the success and continued interest in the information days.
Speakers at the information workshops included well known agricultural economist, Rick Ada, who recently visited Europe and Japan seeking trade opportunities for organic products in these markets.
Rick gave an introduction to the consumer demand in the overseas organic markets he has studied.
Robert Jack, who is third generation nursery operator from the outskirts of Brisbane also spoke at the workshops. Robert has developed a business manufacturing organic plant and animal treatments as chemical pesticide alternatives.
A number of his products are BFA approved and have been successfully trialed in a range of industries.
Austin Smith, the Managing Director of Organic Meat and Fibre Australia, discussed how producers can become involved in the supply chain that has secured major domestic and export customers. Austin’s company has and continues to develop supply chains for organic meat and fibre.
Peter Gall, a Western Queensland organic producer shared his experiences of certification, animal husbandry and marketing, while Andrew Monk from the Biological Farmers of Australia (BFA) spoke on conversion and certification.
The following organisations are accredited by the Australian Quarantine Inspection Service (AQIS, phone 02 6272 4164, email: organic@aqis.gov.au) and meet the "National Standard for Organic and Bio-Dynamic Produce".
Ms Libby Blackett-Smith
- Austrade
Ph:03 9284 3275; Fx: 03
9284 3116
Dr Peter White - QDPI
Director
Ph:07 3239 6024; Fx:07 3239
6292
Mr Lindsay Coghill - QDPI
Ph:07 4631 4200; Fx: 07
4688 1184
Ms Helen Scott-Orr - NSW
Ag
Ph:02 6391 3320; Fx: 02
6391 3199
Ms Robyn Neeson - NSW
Ag
Ph:02 6951 2735; Fx: 02
6955 7580 Mr Chris Brunswick-Hullock - Tas
DPIWE
Ph:03 6336 5272; Fx: 03
6336 4000
Victoria: Mrs Viv Burnett
Ph: 02 6030 4500; Fx :03
6030 4600
SA: No Appointment
Mr Gerry Parlevliet -
Ag WA
Ph: 08 9368 3219; Fx: 08
9368 3946
NT: Dr Wayne Mollah
h: 08 8999 2394; Fx: 08
8999 2010
Dr Andy Carroll - AQIS
Ph: 02 6272 4783; Fx: 02
6272 3682
Mr Scott Kinnear - Chairman
OFA -Organic Federation of Australia
Ph:03 9384 0288; Fx: 02
9384 1322
Dr Andy Monk - Organic
Standards Committee
Ph: 0418 464 350
Merryn James, Program
Assistant - Rural Industries Research & Development Corporation
Ph: 02 6272 3205; Fx: 02
6272 5877
Organic Retailers &
Growers
Association of Australia
PO Box 12852, MELBOURNE
VIC 3000
Phone: 03 9737 9799;
Fax: 03 9737 9499
Tollfree: 1 800 356 299
Bio-Dynamic Farming and
Gardening Assoc. of Australia
PO Box 54, Bellingen NSW
2454
Phone/Fax: 02 6655 8551
Email: poss@midcoast.com.au
The Green Line Ltd
Phone: 03 9889 2299
Email: Mark@thegreenline.com.au
|
Last updated: 26 October2000
Copyright © RIRDC
http://www.rirdc.gov.au/pub/october00.html
