Organics News
From "Maple Street Co-op News", April/May 2007

New organic certification program
In October 2006, the Organic Growers of Australia Inc (OGA Inc) joined the Biological Farmers of Australia (BFA) group and as a result of the amalgamation the BFA/OGA Certified Small Producer Program will be launched on 1 July.
Under the new program, producers:
– are required to undergo an on-site audit of their operation premises every second year with a thorough third-party external desk audit and examination process every year in between;
– must have a gross annual income of less than $50,000 from sale of organic produce;
– will be able to transfer their certification easily to the Australian Certified Organic certification program for export compliance at a later date; and
– will be able to carry out cottage industry processing of their own produce.

The program is a milestone development for the organic sector, establishing an easier entry point for new organic growers, cottage industries and smaller operations wishing to obtain a recognised, independent organic certification.

Howard Rubin, director of OGA says, “Now we have created a system especially for them, providing a reduction in fees and a simple compliance system.”
In Australia, the organic industry is estimated to be worth $450 million in retail sales. This equates to an industry growth rate of over 25 per cent per annum.

For more information regarding the program contact Chris Hurwood, BFA/ACO, tel (07) 3350 5716, email chris.hurwood@bfa.com.au or visit www.bfa.com.au.

[From "Maple Street Co-op News", April/May 2007; published by The Maple Street Co-operative Society Ltd, 37 Maple Street, Maleny, Qld 4552, Australia, tel (07) 5494 2088, email maplest.coop@serv.net.au,
website http://www.maplestreetco-op.com.au]