OANZ March BUZZ Newsletter
Kia ora tātou from the Chair
The long hot days of summer have given way to the cooler breeze of early autumn. Harvest is now upon us and what a busy month it has been for all!
Earlier this month, the OANZ Board made the difficult decision to move the Market Report Launch and Sector Strategy Workshop event online. The new iteration will be FREE and is scheduled for April 14 from 10:00 am - 12:00 pm via Zoom. We welcome everyone to join us for what will be a spectacular programme, including guest speakers from around our sector and abroad.
The launch is an exciting time for us all and an opportunity to learn how our sector has matured over the last two years. We need participation through the sector and encourage you to join. Together, we will learn the Market Report's findings and build our united future.
Register your attendance here.
The Board has also been extremely busy with the second draft of the Organic Products Bill which was released to the public on 1 March. OANZ Advisor, Derek Broadmore, has brought the Technical Committee together to develop talking points that reflect the most critical issues that we need to address with the government at this time. Please be sure to thoroughly read these points below. It is critical that we show a united front on these issues and work together to effectively negotiate with the government.
Lastly, the Climate Change Commission has released its draft advice report for feedback. Submissions are open until 28 March. We recommend that you reach out to Deputy Chair Tiffany Tompkins to learn more about OANZ submission and the importance it has on our sector.
I want to thank everyone for their hard work and look forward to seeing you online on April 14.
Warm regards,
Chris Morrison – Chair
T: 027 548 1293
E: chris@oanz.org
MARKET REPORT LAUNCH & SECTOR STRATEGY WORKSHOP
New Online Format and New Date
14 April 2021 | 10:00 am - 12:30 pm
Join OANZ for an online event that promises to deliver inspirational information and collect insights to identify a meaningful pathway forward.
This unique and exciting event will help shape the future of Aotearoa's organic industry. Your valued input and guidance in the facilitated sector strategy workshop is needed to help grow the organic sector and move forward together.
Launch of the 2020/21 New Zealand Organic Sector Market Report
10:00 am - 10:45 am
The Market Report gives us an in-depth understanding of New Zealand’s organic market and value chain and identifies opportunities where the sector can grow.
Strategy Workshop: Crafting our Shared Organic Future
11:00 am - 12:30 pm
Working together, we will identify shared opportunities and challenges within and around the organic sector, and begin the work of establishing a clear pathway to ensure its continued growth.
Guest speakers include:
Pavan Sukhdev
Environmental Economist and UN Environment Programme Goodwill Ambassador, Pavan has shown how the greening of economies can drive economic growth, provide a source of employment and alleviate poverty.
Dr. Vandana Shiva
Dr. Vandana Shiva is a scientist, philosopher, feminist, author, environmentalist and activist for peace, sustainability and social justice. In 1991, Shiva founded Navdanya, a national movement to protect the diversity and integrity of living resources. She is a recipient of the Right Livelihood Award for her work in placing women and ecology at the centre of the international development agenda.
Ian Proudfoot
Global Head of Agribusiness, Partner - Audit at KPMG, Ian provides audit and transaction services to clients in a wide range of sectors, including agribusiness, retail and distribution. Read Ian's recent interview about the Market Report here.
Register now for this free online event.
REGULATION CONSULTATIONS HAVE STARTED - HAVE YOUR SAY!
MPI has launched its regulations consultation period and is seeking feedback from the Sector. The regulations will set out the processes for businesses, recognised entities and MPI to follow so organic businesses can be approved to claim organic on their products.
You can have your say on the proposals by coming to a public workshop or hui, and by making a submission. Register your interest here.
Submissions on the regulations close 8 June 2021.
Additionally, MPI's Organic Policy Team has offered to meet with OANZ Council Members to walk us through the details of the regulation proposals and upcoming consultations.
The purpose of the meeting is to answer any questions that OANZ Council Members may have about the regulation proposals.
Date: 26 March
Time: 1:30 - 3:30 pm
Please RSVP to Melissa@oanz.org to receive more information and a Zoom invite.
SAVE THE DATE: NEXT COUNCIL MEETING 9 APRIL 2021
The next OANZ Council Meeting will take place online on 9 April 2021 from 10:00 am - 12:00 pm. Meeting details will be emailed to all Council representatives.
CLIMATE CHANGE SUBMISSION
Last week, OANZ hosted a meeting on the Climate Change Commission's Advice Report and is very thankful to everyone that participated.
We are currently collating the information that we have received from our Members and combining it with key data that will help form our submission.
OANZ encourages all companies and individuals to write a submission in order to help educate the Climate Change Commission about the benefits of organics in addressing climate change.
Please contact Tiffany Tompkins for more information.
ORGANIC PRODUCTS BILL
Since Parliament reconvened this year OANZ Board Members have met with Government officials online and in Wellington to lobby for changes to the Organic Products Bill.
On 1 March the second draft of the Bill was released to the public and the OANZ Technical Committee met to discuss key aspects of the Bill that had yet to be addressed.
The Committee developed a summary of concerns which were distributed to government and OANZ members. These points reflect a consensus view of the key issues that OANZ should focus on. The main point being MPI's certification structure that adds unnecessary levels of bureaucracy and costs that will impede the Sector.
OANZ Members will be updated on the Bill's progress as we negotiate with the Government at this critical stage. If you have any questions, please contact Chris Morrison.
MEMBER NEWS
Lawson's True Earth has launched a new website complete with a direct-to-consumer shopping portal and updated social media channels. Blueberry lovers across the country can buy BioGro certified organic blueberries direct from the Lawson's farm and shipped to your door.
Pakaraka Farm is an education centre for regenerative living and an organic market garden in the beautiful Kauaeranga Valley, near Thames, in the Coromandel Peninsula. Owners Yotam and Niva Kay grow over 12,000 kg of food a season on a 1/3 acre of land, using organic regenerative no-till practices.
In The Abundant Garden: A Practical Guide to Growing a Regenerative Home Garden, Niva and Yotam share their long experience of organic gardening in this comprehensive book on how to create and maintain a productive and regenerative vegetable garden.
The Hirshberg Organic Farm and Education Centre seeks a Residential Caretaker to oversee its 69 ha diversified certified organic farm and education centre in Ngatimoti. The ideal candidate will be a strong communicator, committed to supporting organic agriculture, education and green living. Read the full job description here.
Interested candidates should send a cover letter and resume outlining your interests and qualifications to Carlene Ruesenberg at Carlene@GHirshberg.com
2020/21 MARKET REPORT LAUNCH
We are looking forward to releasing the 2020/21 Market Report on 14 April!
Although we are disappointed that we cannot meet in person as initially planned, we are very excited to be able to extend the online Market Report Launch and Sector Strategy Workshop to everyone across the country, with no travel required.
Representatives across the Organic Sector will speak to the latest statistics and analysis. Members and sponsors will have access to quick facts, a social media toolkit, and the Report on the morning of 14 April.
We encourage everyone to get the word out about the upcoming Launch and Workshop so that we can reach as many people as possible. It is an exciting time for our Sector so let's make some noise!
Special thanks to our sponsors!
Platinum: Ceres Organics, Countdown, Fonterra, Foodstuffs
Gold: KPMG, Lewis Road Creamery
Silver: AsureQuality, BioGro, Organic Winegrowers NZ, NZ Winegrowers
Bronze: Biodynamics New Zealand, Biological Husbandry Unit, Chantal Organics, Commonsense Organics, Hirshberg Entrepreneurship Institute, IncaFe, Jersey Girl Organics, Kings Seeds, Organic Traders Association NZ, Pāmu, Selling Solutions, Zespri
Pledges: Berrysmith Foundation, Organic Farm NZ
ORGANIC NEWS
Natural Pasture Spray Helps Farmers Reduce Emissions and Improve Production. Scientist Nathan Balasingham says a pasture spray he has developed can reduce methane emissions from livestock.
UK Supermarket Chain to Move Its Farms to Net-Zero By 2030. Morrisons, the UK's 4th largest supermarket chain, is promising to collaborate with 3,000 British farmers it works with to move their operations to net-zero by 2030.
How Much Does Our Food Contribute To Global Warming? New research reveals 34% of all man-made greenhouse gas emissions are generated by food systems (from production to consumption).
Transforming Agriculture to Mitigate Climate Change and Support Public Health. In order to reduce the risk of infectious disease spread, we need to address the loss of natural habitats and biodiversity.
Organic Apple Growers Bostock Take Advantage of Vietnam's 'Booming Middle Class’. The country's largest organic apple grower is expanding further into Vietnam, in a bid to capitalise on a rapidly growing market.
BNZ Links Dairy Loan to Water Quality, Carbon Reduction. The BNZ has taken the initiative in rolling out a loan to a farming company based on environmental standards.
Doubling Up at Te Whare Ra. They weave organic and biodynamic techniques into the wine-growing while swimming against a tide of mechanisation in the region's vineyards.
General Mills' Epic Debuts Bar with Beef Raised Through Regenerative Farming. The first bar to carry the Savory Institute’s Land to Market Ecological Outcome Verification (EOV) Seal.
Brands are Starting to Add Carbon Labels to Their Packaging. Several companies are now offering consumers a way to see the full footprint of the product they’re using—but an accurate measurement can be hard.
The Future of Organic Farming in Europe: How the New Regulation Tightens the Rules. New rules on organic farming and production in the EU are set to come into effect at the beginning of 2022.
Organic Farms Can Take Climate Change Fighting Power to New Level. Researchers analysed over 4,000 scientific articles to put numbers behind the soil carbon-building techniques that organic farmers use.
Sam Neill Wants You to Check Out This Underrated New Zealand Wine Region. “I had never wanted to produce anything that was just plunk. I wanted to produce the best wine in the world, basically."
At the Intersection of Regenerative Agriculture and Finance. David LeZaks on ‘soil wealth,’ the true cost of food, and looking at transitional finance from an extractive type of enterprise to a regenerative one.
EVENTS, WEBINARS & RESOURCES
OANZ Member - MPI Regulations Discussion
OANZ Members have the opportunity to meet with MPI to discuss the upcoming regulations consultations.
26 March | 1:30 - 3:30 pm
Email Melissa@oanz.org to register.
Go Green Expo: Auckland
New Zealand’s Largest Green Living & Sustainable Lifestyle Show
27 - 28 March | 10:00 am - 6:00 pm | ASB Showgrounds
Free Tickets Available Online
OANZ Council Meeting
09 April | 10:00 am - 12:00 pm
Invitations will be sent to Council Representatives
OANZ Organic Sector Market Report Launch and Sector Strategy Workshop
14 April | 10:00 am - 12:00 pm | Online
Register Here