NEWSLETTER — AUGUST 2021
Representing all certified organic operators
Membership renewals
Support the OIA by renewing now.
Membership renewal notices were emailed out to all members this week.
If you haven't received yours, please check your junk mail folder and then contact secretary@organicindustries.org.au
Please also let us know if you would like to upgrade to be a Foundation member.
renewals
Organic marketplace
We have introduced a Organic Marketplace to showcase the wonderful products and services of our Foundation members.
Foundation members can have their own webpage on our site.
This benefit is provided free as part of Foundation memberships. Foundation memberships are still available for just $250 per year.
View the Organic Marketplace.
marketplace
Not a member? Join your national peak body!
Become a member of the independent peak body which represents the interests of all certified organic operators in government forums and industry initiatives.
There are two types of membership—Full Membership for certified organic operators and Associate Membership for others. Membership is only $10.
Foundation Memberships are also available for a limited time for only $250.
membership
Industry updates
Brisbane bid to host Organic World Congress 2024
Take action now!
Support the Brisbane bid to host the IFOAM World Congress
- Sign up your organic organisation as a member of IFOAM International.
- You can then vote for the Brisbane bid as part of this year's virtual Organic World Congress in September.
Vote for one of our own, Simone Tully, to become a director of IFOAM. Simone is also Chair of the Brisbane bid team. You can read more about Simone in our June newsletter.
Industry representation
Organic Industry Advisory Group
Our Chair, Dalene Wray, was representing the interests of all certified organic operators on this Ministerial advisory group in meetings during January—June 2021. More information was provided in our June newsletter.
Organic Industry Standards and Certification Council
We have written to OISCC in 2019 and again in June (available here) with suggested reforms to the structure and operation of OISCC.
In May OISCC updated its Terms of Reference, but the substance of our submissions have not yet been addressed.
AgriFutures R&D Strategic Plan
AgriFutures is the Research & Development Corporation with responsibility for organic production systems. This month, our Chair attended their consultation workshop for their R&D Strategic Plan 2022-27. We requested R&D investment in organic agriculture and have also highlighted our industry export strategy.
Windup of the Organic Federation of Australia (OFA)
At a special general meeting of the Organic Federation of Australia (OFA) on the 11th August, attendees agreed to wind up the organisation.
OIA received a small amount of cash from the winding up and is also working with OFA members on the handover of the website, social media, and historical documents.
WA organic farmers take note: Sensitive sites in Western Australia
The WA Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development operates a sensitive sites service to identify the locations of sensitive commercial production systems across Western Australia's agricultural region. Locations are provided in a free online map, and landholders are asked annually or biannually to register interest in having their property included on the map.
This service is designed to assist both sensitive enterprises and nearby landholders to prepare risk assessment and mitigation plans for their activities, to ensure sensitive sites are protected.
https://www.agric.wa.gov.au/grains/sensitive-sites-western-australia
updates
Coming up: Organic Industry Forum
OIA is preparing a series of workshops for the Organic Industry Forum (formerly the Australian Organic Industry Working Group) to consider the issues around domestic regulation.
Workshop details will be provided once arrangements are settled. In the meantime, send an email to secretary@organicindustries.org.au to be added to the Organic Industry Forum distribution list or to update your email.
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