Industry News & Member Updates
Check here for the latest Australian Organic industry news & member updates.
Coronavirus (COVID-19) Outbreak
Industry updates, Agricultural Resources & Outbreak Information
Click the link below to see a collection of resources in relation to the ongoing Coronavirus outbreak, including industry and member updates, agricultural resources, emergency contact information and links to Government and health resources.
Bushfire Crisis Updates
Organic industry updates regarding the recent bushfire crisis.
Australian Organic: Fire retardant chemicals and organic certification – Bushfire Updates
Fire-fighting efforts for the recent bushfires are facilitated by the use of fire retardant chemicals. If you think your organic property has been affected, please read our General Guidance for more information.
Bushfire Appeals
There are several ways that you can lend your support to those affected by the bushfires, including donating to charities, foundations, fire services and volunteers.
Bushfire Emergencies: Agricultural Resources
Farming communities have been hit hard by the recent bushfires.
See link below for a list of agricultural resources for those affected by the recent bushfire emergencies.
Australian Organic: Fire Crisis Update
Advice to certified organic operators surrounding the requirements for certification alongside information regarding available allowances & derogations during the bushfire crisis.
Assistance for Farmers affected by the Bushfires
To support primary producers directly impacted by the bushfire crisis deal with their immediate needs, the Commonwealth government is providing grants of up to $75,000.
Assistance for Small Business Affected by the Bushfires
The Australian and state and territory governments are helping small businesses in bushfire affected communities get back up on their feet. This includes support for small businesses to recover and rebuild.
Dairy Australia: Industry Brief
Bushfires January 2020 – Dairy industry impacts and response. Includes updates on the of the fires on the dairy industry across VIC, SA and NSW.
Member & Industry Updates
Important industry and member updates regarding the organic industry.
Australian Organic: Fire Crisis Update
Advice to certified organic operators surrounding the requirements for certification alongside information regarding available allowances & derogations during the bushfire crisis.
Australian Organic: Fire retardant chemicals and organic certification – Bushfire Updates
Fire-fighting efforts for the recent bushfires are facilitated by the use of fire retardant chemicals. If you think your organic property has been affected, please read our General Guidance for more information.
Australian Organic statement on Emerging Gene Technology
Australian Organic Ltd (AOL) is gravely concerned by the outcome of the Federal Government’s Technical Review of the Gene Technology Regulations (2001).
Australian Organic Brassicaceous Seeds Import Conditions Review – Final Review
The Department of Agriculture has released its final report into the brassicaceous seeds import conditions review.
Certification Body Guidance: Drought Feeding Derogation Extension
Australian Organic made available a Derogation from the livestock feeding requirements, due to ongoing extreme drought conditions throughout much of Australia, in March of 2019.
Biosecurity Alert: African Swine Fever
Queensland members should be aware of the threat of African swine fever and what they can do to reduce the risk.
Updates to the Australian Certified Organic Standard (ACOS)
View the most recent updates to the Australian Certified Organic Standard (ACOS).
Biosecurity (Salmonella Enteritidis) Control Order 2019
This Control Order is made under section 62 of the Biosecurity Act 2015.
Organic News
Australian Organic is a member owned not-for-profit industry body. We support and promote certified organic businesses. To stay up to date with trends and challenges in the organic industry become a member today.
Tehan delivers for regional higher education and research
The Regional Universities Network (RUN) congratulates the Minister for Education, The Hon Dan Tehan MP, on delivering a higher education reform package which will help fuel regional economic growth and jobs, and address the gap in educational outcomes between regional, rural and remote Australia and capital cities.
Stronger penalties for travellers who don’t declare high risk biosecurity items
An amendment to the Biosecurity Act 2015 to strengthen biosecurity penalties was introduced into the House of Representatives today.
Australia-United Kingdom Free Trade Agreement negotiations commence
The Australian Government has launched Free Trade Agreement (FTA) negotiations with the United Kingdom (UK) for a comprehensive, ambitious and mutually beneficial bilateral agreement.
Reminder Nth Qld flood farmer AgRebuild loans close soon
Graziers and farmers affected by the 2019 North and Far North Queensland floods are reminded that they have until the end of June to apply for a Regional Investment Corporation (RIC) AgRebuild loan.
Agricultural narcotic exports to benefit from improved market access
The Australia Government has delivered improved access to global markets for agricultural narcotic exports for medicinal cannabis and hemp industries through the Export Control Amendment (Certificate of Narcotics Exports) Bill 2020.
ANU in Biodiversity Stewardship Program for farmers
The Coalition Government is delivering on its $34 million 2019 election commitment to establish an Agriculture Stewardship Package for farmers.
Better FHA Support for Farmers
New measures to improve the Farm Household Allowance (FHA) program are now in effect.
$11.5 Million in mental health grants to support emergency services workers affected by the bushfires
The Australian Government is investing $11.5 million in mental health services to support emergency services workers and their families impacted by the unprecedented bushfire disaster of 2019-20.
Regional Queensland shares in $16 million for resilient infrastructure
The north and north-west reaches of Queensland will benefit from an almost $16 million investment to rebuild infrastructure damaged by the 2019 monsoon trough.
Applications open for Queensland disaster resilience and risk reduction funding
More than $13 million is now available through the Queensland Resilience and Risk Reduction Fund to help local communities better prepare for future disasters.
Celebrating Australia’s Safe, World-Class Food
World Food Safety Day is an opportunity to recognise Australia’s contributions in providing safe, high-quality world-class food for consumers here and abroad.
Australia-India Comprehensive Strategic Partnership to further drive trade opportunities
Minister David Littleproud applauded the Australia-India Comprehensive Strategic Partnership agreed by Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Indian Prime Minister Narenda Modi.