ODH collapse 'not a surprise'
An organic sector leader believes that failed farmer-owned co-operative Organic Dairy Hub (ODH) lacked the scale to compete in the global market.
Organics Aotearoa (OANZ) chairman Doug Voss is urging members to support a proposal for a national organic standard.
He is urging OANZ members and the organic community at large to participate in the consultation process launched yesterday by the Ministry of Primary Industries.
MPI is seeking views from producers, consumers, processors, retailers, importer, exporters and the public through meetings and online.
Agriculture and Food Safety Minister Damien O’Connor says in New Zealand there are a range of voluntary standards that organic producers can choose from to label their food ‘organic’,
“Officials have advised that a single set of rules may help boost consumer confidence in organic products and place our organics regulatory system on the same footing as many other countries – potentially growing market access for organic products,” O’Connor says.
“The organics industry is a passionate one that offers consumers a valuable product backed by a brand focused on sustainable use of our natural resources.
“Productive growth for our primary industries is about getting more from what we do now – not just doing more.”
The consultation launched yesterday gives producers and consumers a say on whether New Zealand needs a single set of rules for organics production, what that may look like and what costs or other factors need to be considered.
Voss says it is important that members and interested parties turn out to the regional meetings and have their say by completing a submission form on the MPI website in support of a single national standard.
South Waikato farm manager Ben Purua’s amazing transformation from gang life to milking cows was rewarded with the Ahuwhenua Young Maori Farmer award last night.
Bankers have been making record profits in the last few years, but those aren’t the only records they’ve been breaking, says Federated Farmers vice president Richard McIntyre.
The 2023-24 season has been a roller coaster ride for Waikato dairy farmers, according to Federated Farmers dairy section chair, Mathew Zonderop.
Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) director general Ray Smith says job cuts announced this morning will not impact the way the Ministry is organised or merge business units.
Scales Corporation is acquiring a number of orchard assets from Bostock Group.
Family and solidarity shone through at the 75 years of Ferdon sale in Otorohanga last month.
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