The newly named Organic Products and Production Bill passed its second reading on Thursday, October 27, signalling a clear desire to protect certified organic. New Zealand is one of the last OECD countries to regulate organic products, with Australia also falling behind. The national organic market is valued at around $723 million, and the global market at €106 billion.
“Since 2012, the organic sector has been working with all political parties and relevant Ministries to recognise and protect the positive contribution and value of organic to New Zealand’s economy by priming the purse of farmers and producers, contributing to carbon sequestration, enhancing biodiversity, reducing pesticide and nitrogen use, listening to market demands and making farming fun again. Certified organic is innovation in action as its multi-dimensional approach to assurance spans the whole supply chain,” said Brendan Hoare, Managing Director of Buy Pure New Zealand.
“This Bill has the whole organic sector’s engagement, and our ongoing work with the Ministry of Primary Industry to develop the regulation and standards is steady. Yes, it is slow and not without its difficulties, but it is increasingly constructive as we all come to terms with a new system. However, what is very satisfying and refreshing to see, is all political parties singing our praises, cheering us on and wanting to protect organic now and into the future.”
“A Bill, with supporting regulation and a single nationally aligned standard, will enable those wanting to do the right thing by climate change to simultaneously build authenticity into their claims to strengthen relationships with regulated markets and their discerning citizens. Truth, trust, and authenticity are critical at a time when greenwashing solutions to climate change and sustainability claims abound,” concluded Hoare.
