HUNDREDS of farmers, producers, politicians and supporters of the certified organic industry have gathered at Parliament House in Canberra to celebrate Australian Organic Awareness Month and discuss how to unlock even more economic value from one of the success stories of Australian agriculture.
The barbecue lunch, hosted today by the Parliamentary Friends of Australia’s Organic Industry and Australian Organic Limited (AOL), showcased produce from the cream of the certified organic industry in a menu that included delicious brisket burgers, chicken chipolatas and salads, exquisite cheeses, dried fruits and wines, and luxurious chocolate.
AOL Chairman, David Keens, said it was an important event for an industry which has grown significantly in the past 20 years to contribute $851m directly to the economy and support thousands of livelihoods.
“The certified organic industry has developed world-leading products across multiple sectors, from fresh produce, meat and dairy to manufacturing and cosmetics,” Mr Keens, a fourth-generation farmer, said.
“We are also globally focused with exports a major provider of wealth and jobs to the Australian economy, so events like today, where we acknowledge and celebrate this industry, are very important.”
Agriculture Minister, Julie Collins, paid tribute to the certified organic producers at the event who were part of an Australian agriculture industry that contributed $84b to the economy and enjoyed a global reputation for very high-quality produce.
“What we want to do as a government, and I’m sure that this is a bipartisan thing, is to maintain that (reputation),” Ms Collins said.
“We need to be able to maintain market access to get our quality food overseas and our government has been incredibly busy doing that.”
Parliamentary Friends of Australia’s Organic Industry
The Parliamentary Friends of Australia’s Organic Industry was established in 2023, with MPs Aaron Violi and Dan Repacholi the driving forces of the cross-party group.
AOL Chief Executive, Jackie Brian, said the bipartisan support was particularly welcome at a time when the industry is facing rising input costs and a challenging retail environment.
“I’d like to personally thank Aaron and Dan for their unwavering commitment to advancing the certified organic industry and working constructively on ways to unlock new overseas markets, reduce the cost of doing business and grow our economic footprint for the betterment of all Australians,” Ms Brian said.
“The direct lines of communication to our nation’s decision makers means peak bodies like AOL can represent more effectively on behalf of the thousands of producers that make up our industry.”
One of the key policy issues for the industry is the need for a legislated definition of the term “organic” to eliminate misleading claims from unscrupulous operators and highlight the rigorous process of becoming certified organic.
The accreditation process can take up to three years and is a statutory requirement for exporters, but currently unnecessary for domestic supply, leading to some unscrupulous operators labelling their products as organic with as little as one organic ingredient.
Mr Violi, who worked in the organic sector prior to entering Federal Parliament as the Liberal Member for Casey, said he’d seen and experienced firsthand the challenges and opportunities the industry faced.
“The Parliamentary Friends forum was established so we could meet with people from right across the organics supply chain, from paddock to plate, and give them a voice in Parliament,” Mr Violi, the Liberal Member for Casey, said.
“We are here in Canberra to make a difference for those we represent and most of the time there is cross-party agreement on issues, so it’s important that where possible we work together to resolve them.”
Mr Repacholi, the Labor Member for Hunter, has been a long-time supporter of the industry, attending numerous industry events such as the AOL Conference.
“There is so much unrealised potential for growth in the organic industry because it has a natural tendency towards sustainability and innovation,” Mr Repacholi said.
“It really is an industry on the move, and I am passionate about throwing the full weight of the Australian Parliament behind it and shining a spotlight on events like we see here today.”
About AOAM
Every September, the certified organic industry celebrates Australian Organic Awareness Month with events and activities to highlight the advantages of going organic.
AOAM Ambassador and former Miss Universe Australia, Tegan Martin, said she switched to an organic lifestyle after battling her own health issues.
“Organics is about going back to basics and sticking as close to what nature intended as possible, while lessening the stress we put on our bodies,” Ms Martin said.
“These days I feel so blessed to have good health and not only have better energy but better skin, gut health and, overall, I feel sharper mentally.”
Ms Brian expressed her thanks to the official sponsors of AOAM, including principal partner The Organic Milk Company, and major partners Angove Family Winemakers, Country Heritage Feeds, endota, Harris Farm Markets, Inglewood Organic, and Trumps.
“Australian Organic Awareness Month would not be possible without the generous contributions of our supporting sponsors, so I’d like to publicly acknowledge their critical role in raising the profile of the organic industry and helping a new generation of Australians embrace a cleaner, greener and healthier lifestyle.”
For more information on AOAM and a host of downloadable resources on the benefits of organics, visit www.whyorganic.com.au.
Image caption:
FEATURE IMAGE: (from left) Liberal MP Aaron Violi, Australian Organic Limited Director Didi Lo, AOL CEO Jackie Brian, Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Julie Collins, AOL Chairman David Keens, and Labor MP Dan Repacholi, at the Parliamentary Friends of Australia’s Organic Industry event at Parliament House in Canberra.
