The Weekly Times

April 29th 2009 by Les White

EXCLUSIVE: MANY products sold in Australia as “organic” may soon not qualify to go under that label.

And the finger has been pointed at supermarkets for failing to properly verify whether products they sell are truly organic.

Discussions are almost complete on a national organic standard, but negotiations have split the industry as opposing groups argue over whether products from animals fed synthetic foodstuff should be labeled organic.

Furthermore, the new standard will likely remain voluntary as the Federal Government is unlikely to make it law.

The Weekly Times understands the standard would see some amino acids – referred to as “synthetics” by sections of the organic movement – phased out.

Organic egg grower Ivy Inwood said consumers were being tricked into buying non-genuine produce.

She said Australia’s organic export standard was stricter than its current “domestic” standard – the export requirements aim to match standards in overseas markets. Even more confusing for consumers, the “domestic” and “export” standards use the same logo.

“If you’re not fully accredited you can’t export – why should Australians eat half-organic food?” Mrs Inwood asked.

“Woolworths and Coles are at fault for accepting the product and selling it as organic. They say ‘drop your price, we can buy them cheaper’ – that’s because (some producers) are half doing it and using synthetics.”

But Biological Farmers of Australia Standards Advisory Group Convenor Dr Andrew Monk said the new document needed to recognise the realities of commercial farming.

“It’s those who want to keep organic in a darkened cottage versus those who want . . . proper nutrition and optimal productivity,” Dr Monk said.

Dr Monk said the standard failed to require certification for producers like “every other significant standard mandates certification”.

But Organic Federation of Australia chairman Andre Leu accused Dr Monk of “spreading misinformation” because the standard effectively required certification.

Mr Leu said while there had been “pressure to put synthetics in”, the standard needed to “come back to consumer perception”.

A spokesman for Coles said synthetic feed was banned for producers supplying organic product lines, but the standard was sometimes achieved after the product hit the shelves.

A Woolworths spokesman said the company recognised there was industry debate over organic animal feed.

“Woolworths requires organic products to be certified by a registered body,” he said.

http://www.weeklytimesnow.com.au/article/2009/04/29/74835_horticulture.html