National organic standard consultation underway

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.