news

Organic labelling laws under spotlight

Rugby league legend and 2023 Australian Organic Awareness Month Ambassador, Anthony Minichiello, has backed the push for stronger regulations around organic ‘greenwashing’. Now a qualified nutritionist, Mr Minichiello advocates for certified organic farming practices as a key element of a nutrient-dense diet. “There’s a lot of misleading marketing claims and fake studies out there that confuse people,” he said.
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South Australian growers dominate Organic Wine Awards

South Australia has scooped the pool at the 2023 Australian Organic Wine Awards, with four of the six major trophies awarded to growers from the Wine State. Hosted by Australian Organic Limited (AOL), the Awards, now in their third year, celebrate Australia’s certified organic and biodynamic wine industry. In total, 45 certified organic and biodynamic wine producers from 32 regions across the country submitted 211 bottles of the nation’s finest organic wines for judging in the Awards program.
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Free-range poultry definitions fall fowl of consumer expectations

The variability in poultry stocking densities allowed to be claimed as ‘free-range’ is being thrown into the spotlight during the 2023 Australian Organic Awareness Month. Under organic certification, no more than 1,500 egg-laying birds are permitted per hectare for set stocking, while non-organic free-range products can have up to 10,000 birds per hectare.
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Wilyabrup winery takes Organic Awards by Storm

The burgeoning organic production of the Margaret River wine region has been celebrated at the 2023 Australian Organic Wine Awards, with five producers from the region among the trophy and medal winners. Wilyabrup-based Stormflower Vineyard claimed a Silver Medal and the Trophy for Best Left of Centre Wine for their 2022 Petillant Naturel, described by judges as lively, vibrant, and a good example of the ‘naturally sparkling’ wine.
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How certified organic farming can lower Australia’s agricultural emissions

Scientists and industry leaders have explained how certified organic farming can play a key role in the fight against climate change, as part of the 2023 Australian Organic Awareness Month (AOAM). AOAM is run by Australian Organic Limited (AOL) in September each year, raising awareness of the benefits of certified organic products for human health and environmental sustainability, and emphasising the importance of checking for organic certification marks on labels.
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Adelaide Hills winery claims top prizes for the second time at the Australian Organic Wine Awards

Adelaide Hills Ngeringa Vineyard’s Iluma Syrah has once again secured the coveted Cullen Wines Trophy for Wine of Show, the top prize for Red of Show, and a Gold Medal at the 2023 Australian Organic Wine Awards. This year, it was the Mount Barker vineyard’s 2021 Iluma Syrah vintage crowned the Wine of Show, after the 2019 vintage secured the top prize in the 2021 Awards.
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Parliament puts on show of support for certified organic industry

Members of Parliament from across the political spectrum have joined international dignitaries and an array of the country’s top certified organic producers for a historic event at Parliament House to mark the formation of the Parliamentary Friends of Australia’s Organic Industry (PFAOI). Recognising the certified organic industry’s development into a major export earner and economic driver that contributes $851m directly into the domestic economy, the barbecue lunch featured a range of certified organic produce and hosted the newly formed Organic Development Group (ODG).
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Washing not enough to remove pesticides

Consumers are being urged to consider the potential harms of toxic pesticide residue on fresh produce during the 2023 Australian Organic Awareness Month (AOAM). AOAM is run by Australian Organic Limited (AOL) in September each year, raising awareness of the benefits of certified organic products for human health and environmental sustainability, and the importance of checking for organic certification marks on labels. Reducing exposure to chemicals and pesticides is one of the key reasons consumers make the switch to certified organic produce and is a focus of this year’s campaign.
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Rugby league legend backing Australian Organic Awareness Month

Anthony Minichiello’s feats on the rugby league field are the stuff of legend, but in the age of sports science he’s determined to dispel some of the myths around health and fitness. As ambassador for Australian Organic Awareness Month 2023, which launches today, the former Sydney Roosters, New South Wales Origin and Kangaroos star is encouraging people to make better nutrition choices.
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Historic formation of united voice for organic industry

There is a new, united voice for Australia’s organic industry, with eleven organisations coming together to form the Organic Industry Discussion Group (OIDG) to advance the interests of the organic sector, including the pursuit of domestic regulation. The OIDG brings together all of Australia’s certification bodies and key industry groups in one forum.
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