OANZ January BUZZ Newsletter
Kia ora tātou from the Chair
Happy New Year!
January means a fresh new year, a new vibe, new resolutions, and new goals. OANZ definitely has its fair share of resolutions, many of which are already in action.
Goal #1: Organic Products Bill
We will continue to work alongside the Government to help shape the bill in a way that benefits the whole sector.
Goal #2: Market Report
We will deliver important research to encourage support for our producers and retailers, highlighting some of our success stories across the entire supply chain.
Goal #3: Sector Strategy
We will continue to work towards unifying and strengthening the organic sector by developing a deep understanding of our community's interrelationships, our growth inhibitors, and growth opportunities.
As we continue to move forward with all our major projects for the coming year, we are filled with gratitude and hope. The Market Report launch in late March will be a true celebration of our community and an opportunity to meet and mingle with people from across the sector.
As we look forward to the year ahead, I am excited to work alongside you as we Aotearoa's organic sector both at home and abroad.
Chris Morrison – Chair
T: 027 548 1293
E: chris@oanz.org
OANZ Speaker Series Episode 2: Regenerative Capital
The second episode of the OANZ Speaker Series captures an important conversation about the role regenerative capital plays in financing scalable climate-friendly agriculture.
Learn how converting farms away from conventional practices to regenerative organic methods increases not only soil health, water quality and increased biodiversity, but farmer profitability. Become familiar with the metrics used to secure regenerative capital and hear real examples of how farmers have benefited from this structure.
OANZ Chair and co-founder of Karma Drinks and All Good Organics, Chris Morrison will host our two guest speakers, Robyn O'Brien, co-founder of rePlant capital and OANZ Advisory Board Member and Mike Taitoko, founder of Calm the Farm.
Date: 2 February 2021
Time: 1:00 - 2:00 pm NZT
Organic Products Bill Update
The Organic Products Bill legislation is OANZ most important project for 2021 and conversations with Primary Select Committee members and MPI are underway.
OANZ has reiterated the eight main points behind its submission to all Committee Members and again to MPI.
These points are:
Certain key aspects of the administrative structure proposed by the Bill do not reflect the sector consultation undertaken by MPI nor is it what the sector wanted.
The Title of the Bill should be changed to the Organic Production and Products Bill to properly reflect what is being regulated and the purposes of the Bill should be expanded.
A definition of organic and statement of organic principles is essential.
The language used to describe organic producers and their status in the Bill is a departure from the internationally recognised terms.
An Organic Governance Group to set and monitor national organic standards is needed to build an inclusive, high-trust model.
The cost recovery provisions in the Bill will add an additional layer of cost on producers.
The possibility of levies under the Commodities Levies Act is a further potential cost.
The Bill does little to foster the domestic organic market and the increased cost structure is likely to drive smaller growers out of the market.
By invitation from MPI, both OANZ and OFNZ have been discussing the upcoming sector consultation process that MPI wishes to proceed with for the regulations and the standard. An online meeting is scheduled for 27 January, followed by a face-to-face meeting in Wellington. We will keep you updated on our progress regarding future consultations as we work with MPI on this project.
New Year Honours List 2021
We celebrate three members of Aotearoa’s organic community for their high achievements in making New Zealand's 2021 New Year Honours list.
Congratulations to Marion Wood, for services to sustainable business and the community, James (Jim) Edward Kebbell, for services to sustainable business and the community, and Christopher (Chris) John Morrison, for services to sustainable business and Fair Trade.
Read more about these organic pioneers here.
The 2020/21 Organic Sector Market Report data is in and we have commenced the process of analysis.
It is always a privilege to get close to a dynamic, diverse and passionate community that makes up the fastest-growing multi food sector in the world; certified organic. We have experienced genuine interest and open candid communication with all participants and tremendous support from our sponsors.
We would like to take the opportunity to thank all the producers, manufacturers, retailers, exporters, certification agencies, consumers, researchers and MPI for your full participation.
Our process till the launch date on 26 March is to stay true to a rigorous research process and ensure we once again deliver a Report that guides and gives confidence to the whole organic sector and development of our Organic Products Bill.
Special Thanks to Our Current Sponsors!
Platinum: Ceres Organics, Countdown, Fonterra, Foodstuffs
Gold: KPMG, Lewis Road Creamery
Silver: AsureQuality, BioGro, Organic Winegrowers NZ, NZ Winegrowers
Bronze: BioDynamic Gardening and Farming Association, Biological Husbandry Unit Organics Trust, Chantal Organics, Commonsense Organics, IncaFe, Jersey Girl Organics, Kings Seeds, Organic Traders Association NZ, Pāmu, Selling Solutions, Zespri
Pledges: Berrysmith Foundation, Organic Farm NZ
Details about the Market Report Launch to come!
ORGANIC NEWS
Gene editing of crops and livestock may soon be permitted in England. Gene editing of crops and livestock may soon be permitted in England for the first time under a consultation launched by the government.
Why It’s Falling To You—And Not Your Government—To Decarbonize The Food System. The food system arguably produces more greenhouse-gas emissions than any other sector, and yet it remains the most neglected by policy.
Cities Leading the Way Towards Healthy Food Environments for Children. EAT and UNICEF released case studies that show how two cities are working to improve food security, nutrition, and resilience through an integrated food system.
Farmers still face barriers in their quest to becoming certified organic. The organic market is booming, but farmers hoping to transition still struggle with the certification process.
Leydy Pech, the Mayan beekeeper who defeated Monsanto. Leydy Pech, winner of the 2020 Goldman Environmental Prize for North America, defended Mexican Maya land against the agro-industry.
Beekeeping’s rise: Why swarms of Kiwis have taken it up post-lockdown. As sourdough and veggie gardens soared in newfound popularity around the country in 2020, so too did apiculture.
Bunnings backlash: Campaign to stop sale of controversial weedkiller Roundup ramps up. Roundup's spends $16 billion to settle lawsuits alleging the weedkiller caused cancers, but the herbicide is still considered safe for sale in Australia.
Farmers in France Set Up Vending Machines to Sell Food. The machines allow farms to sell fruits, vegetables, eggs and more directly to consumers who prefer to interact with a vending machine rather than go inside a farm store.
Can Organic Farming Solve the Climate Crisis? With regenerative agriculture gaining traction, the organic industry is positioning itself as leading the way on carbon sequestration. The research is promising—but inconclusive.
The ultimate vegan’s garden. When I visited Sarah Oliver’s three-acre garden in the Waitetuna Valley in Raglan, I was not actually looking for proof of concept, but in fact, that is what I found.
Bostock Brothers wins sustainability award. Hawke's Bay organic chicken business Bostock Brothers has won an award for its circular system methods such as recycling its home compostable packaging to use on its maize paddocks.
New Zealand farmers and OANZ member, Puro, prepare to export 'best cannabis in the world’. The first organic seedlings are now in the ground along the salt-laden and sunny slopes of Kēkerengū - just north of Kaikōura.
New US EPA finding: Glyphosate harms 93 percent of endangered species. Over 93% of endangered species and 96% of their habitats are likely to be harmed by glyphosate, the ubiquitous and controversial herbicide.
EVENTS, WEBINARS & RESOURCES
PASA Virtual Sustainable Agriculture Conference
A gathering of sustainable farmers, food system. professionals, and changemakers
19 January - 5 February
Online
OANZ Speaker Series: Regenerative Capital with Robyn O'Brien and Mike Taitoko
2 February | 1 - 2 PM
Pakaraka Farm’s Beginners Home Gardening Workshop
Learn how to grow nutritious food for you and your family in your backyard.
6 February | 9 am - 4:30 pm | Thames
Register Here
Pakaraka Farm’s Advanced Home Gardening Workshop
Learn how to grow nutritious food for you and your family in your backyard.
13 February | 9 am - 4:30 pm | Thames
Register Here
Go Green Expo: Auckland
New Zealand’s Largest Green Living & Sustainable Lifestyle Show
27 - 28 March | 10 am - 6 pm | ASB Showgrounds
Free Tickets Available Online
Kiss the Ground Movie
A free educational 45-minute-long Educational Version of the Kiss the Ground movie is available to teachers, educators, schools, community organisers and homeschoolers.