ADVOCATING FOR A NATIONAL ORGANIC STANDARD

Over the past year, the OANZ Technical Working Group (OTWG) has been actively involved in key aspects of the regulatory framework following the passing of the Organic Products and Production Act in April 2023.

The group’s primary activities have included consulting on the new National Standard, which will be established as a Regulation, and developing and drafting Notices to guide its implementation.

Consultations on the National Standard occurred in June, July, and August last year. A significant portion of our discussions focused on defining GE within the Standard. We also addressed other important definitions, including the term "organic" and establishing a set of principles underlying organic production.

We are now working directly with MPI on drafting the Notices that will accompany the National Standard.

These Notices are crucial to the effective implementation of the Standard, and we appreciate that MPI has recognised the sector's expertise, particularly that of the organisations comprising the OANZ Technical Working Group.

Throughout this regulatory process, we have witnessed an evolution in the consultation approach with MPI, who have come to appreciate the value of leveraging expertise within the organic sector. This ongoing collaboration on the Notices reflects the culmination of significant efforts from OANZ and MPI to foster mutual trust and respect, ensuring an optimal legal environment for the sector to thrive.

We anticipate completing the current work on the Notices in the coming weeks. Once the final drafts are ready, there will be a brief public consultation period to review their form and content. The Technical Working Group will then review the final drafts during this process and submit feedback as necessary.

MPI and the Technical Working Group are working to a tight deadline to finalise the Notices to meet EU requirements for equivalency by the end of the year.

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