The Buzz, May 23 Edition

Hello, and welcome to the May edition of The BUZZ, your monthly dose of news from the Organic Sector.

We were saddened to hear of the passing of Shona Scott. Shona, Principle Advisor at MPI, worked tirelessly with our Organic Sector to gather everyone’s view on the Organics Bill. She travelled the country listening to our concerns and aspirations. Over time she became a trusted and respected intermediary.

We are indebted to Shona; she will be sadly missed but not forgotten.

OANZ continues to focus on maximising opportunities with the new Organics Products and Production Act. To this end, OANZ convened a two-day Hui in Blenheim on the 26th and 27th of April, to begin the process of developing a funding application, and the scope of the specific projects that might be included. The optimism within the New Zealand Organic Sector was clearly displayed during this Hui, with sixteen people from across the sector collaborating to chart a path to implementing the Act.

A number of key workstreams, drawn from the Organic Sector Strategy, were clearly identified by everyone at this Hui as being critical to this implementation process. These are currently being further developed and shared for information and consultation across the sector.

A special thanks to all those that have been engaging with MPI to give feedback on the draft Standard. The consultation period has been extended; please send your submissions directly to OANZ by 2 June. Thank you to OANZ Board Advisor Derek Broadmore for leading this process for OANZ and for seeking an extension for submissions.

Ngā mihi
Ngā mihi
Chris 

Chris Morrison – Chair 
T: 027 548 1293
E: Chris@oanz.org