Landmark merger a win-win for organic sector

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The organic community celebrated the landmark merger of two long-established charitable organisations yesterday. Members of the Soil & Health Association of NZ Inc and the New Zealand Biological Producers and Consumers Society Inc (BioGro Society) voted in favour of the proposal. This means that the Society will transfer its assets to Soil & Health, on winding up on 30 September.

 

The merger brings together the skills and resources of the two charities into one strong, unified organic sector body.

 

Soil & Health will become the proud new owner of BioGro NZ Ltd, New Zealand’s largest organic certification agency. This will empower Soil & Health to carry out its vital education and advocacy work for healthy soil, healthy food and healthy people.

 

BioGro NZ Ltd will remain a separate company.  It retains its own board of directors and independence as a company, with the excellent reputation it has built up over 33 years.

 

“It’s time to get really serious about lifting organics to the next level,” said Gaz Ingram, chair of BioGro Society. “Organic needs to become the new normal. It offers clean, green and practical solutions to many of our current problems, including environmental, health and climate change issues. The refreshed organisation will promote these with renewed vigour.”

 

“If we and future generations are going to survive and thrive, we urgently need to shift to producing food and other products that are organic, high value, safe, sustainable, GE-free and ethical,” said Marion Thomson, co-chair of Soil & Health. “By joining together we combine our strengths in leadership and governance, authenticity, public good advocacy, and commitment to healthy organic food and farming.”

 

The Soil & Health Association retains its name, as does BioGro NZ Ltd. Soil & Health’s flagship magazine Organic NZ will continue to be a strong and independent media voice for all things organic: food, gardening, farming and lifestyles.

 

Media contacts
Marion Thomson
Co-chair, Soil & Health Association
027 555 4014

 

Gaz Ingram
Chair, BioGro Society
027 511 8097

 

BACKGROUND NOTES

  1. The Soil & Health Association is the largest membership organisation supporting organic food and farming in New Zealand. In 2016 it celebrates its 75th anniversary. Soil & Health was founded in 1941 as the Humic Compost Club by New Zealanders who were concerned about degraded soils, increasing refined foods, and the links of both of these with declining nutrition.
    It promotes sustainable agricultural practices and principles of good health based on sound nutrition and the motto ‘Healthy soil – healthy food – healthy people’. Soil & Health’s magazine Organic NZ goes out to members and to the public via retail outlets six times a year.
    www.organicnz.org.nz

 

  1. The New Zealand Biological Producers and Consumers Society was formed in 1983 by Soil & Health, the Biodynamic Association and the Henry Doubleday Research Association, who all saw the need for a credible and internationally respected organic standard and certification process, in order to safeguard the interests of producers and consumers.
    BioGro NZ Ltd (a company owned by the BioGro Society) is the premier organic certification agency in New Zealand. It certifies and accredits over 600 producers in New Zealand and the Pacific, is accredited to IFOAM (International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements) and has an excellent reputation with domestic and export markets.
    www.biogro.co.nz

Honouring the Warrior Queen of Organics

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One of New Zealand’s oldest advocates of organics, Marguerite Jones, has died at the age of 95.

 

Famous for wearing her ‘Don’t panic, go organic!’ sign at stalls and expos, and always resplendent in vibrant, colour-coordinated outfits, this feisty woman has been an inspiration to many and was a living example of a healthy lifestyle through good diet and nutrition.

 

Marguerite was a founding member of the Soil & Health Association (publisher of Organic NZ), having joined the organisation at its first meeting in 1941, when it was called the Humic Compost Club. For decades she tirelessly promoted organics, natural health and good animal welfare by sharing wisdom, common sense and laughter in her forthright style.

 

“Others get awarded honours and yet have poisoned Aotearoa,” said Steffan Browning, Green MP and former spokesperson for Soil & Health. “Marguerite was a champion to the end – not seeking acclamation or reward, but driven for the health of present and future generations.”

 

“Marguerite was a tenacious leader who was so loved for the strength of her convictions,” said Brendan Hoare, chief executive of Organics Aotearoa and a former president of Soil & Health. “For the right and just cause, she embodied the meaning of relentlessness; always in support, never giving in, always grounded in the daily practice of health (starting with her garden) and wellbeing for herself and those around her.”

 

Marguerite grew up on a farm in the Manawatu that supplied her family with fresh vegetables, eggs, raw milk and butter. A life-long gardener, she credited her good health to fresh organic food. She shunned pharmaceuticals, preferring nature’s medicine cabinet and, until the last few months of her life, had never taken antibiotics.

 

In 2002 Marguerite was made a life member of the Soil & Health Association, and was the Association’s patron from 2004–2006. She also campaigned for improved animal welfare and was a founding member of the New Zealand Anti-Vivisection Society.Organic NZ will include an obituary and memories of Marguerite in its September/October issue.

 

Marguerite Jones passed away peacefully at her home in West Auckland on Monday 20 June. A celebration of her life will be held on Saturday. Soil & Health offers condolences to her family and friends.

 

More information about Marguerite’s life:

http://www.feedmeright.co.nz/pdf/ONZ_Nov_Dec11MargretJones.pdf

 

Whangarei Hearing

Councils and communities – a collaborative response to GE risks

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Whangarei and Far North District Councils received strong support from the community for their proposals to protect their territories from GM releases this week.

 

The Soil & Health Association of NZ and GE Free Northland led a group of 14 submitters, presenting their case at a joint hearing on Whangarei District Council and Far North District Council’s proposed district plan changes for the outdoor use of genetically modified organisms (GMOs).

 

Soil & Health and GE Free Northland engaged independent expert witnesses to outline the case for the precautionary approach to GMO releases that both councils have proposed for their District Plans.

 

“Soil & Health has concerns about potential adverse impacts of GMO activities on the ability of the organic sector, tangata whenua and the community to provide for their social, environmental, economic and cultural well-being,” said Marion Thomson, co-chair of Soil & Health. “The proposed District Plan changes provide practical, commonsense ways of protecting communities.”

 

The plan changes would allow veterinary vaccines that use GMOs to be used without permits, but outdoor field trials would require council consent. Releasing GMOs to the environment would be prohibited for the life of the plans,or until such time as there is certainty as to how any risks can be managed.

Discretionary activities (outdoor field trials) would need to meet certain standards, including bonds to cover the costs of any unintended economic, health or environmental damage caused by EPA-approved GE experiments and the costs of ongoing monitoring.

“Government agencies have a poor track record in containing outdoor GE experiments, and the law has very limited liability provisions for damage,” said Zelka Grammer, chairperson of GE Free Northland. “The local community supports a precautionary approach to outdoor GE experiments, strict liability provisions imposed by local councils, and an outright ban on the release of GMOs in their patch, due to the serious risks to our biosecurity, unique biodiversity and environment.”

 

Many members of GE Free Northland are primary producers whose livelihood is from farming, horticulture, forestry and beekeeping, or home gardeners, all of whom could be adversely affected by GMOs.

 

There is no scientific consensus as to the potential effects of GMOs on the environment. Irrespective of the threat GMOs pose to the environment, GMO contamination risks significant adverse effects on social, economic and cultural values.

 

Soil & Health and GE Free Northland strongly support the right of communities to decide whether or not GMOs are released or field-trialled in their regions and, if so, whether any conditions should be placed on them. This was confirmed by the landmark Environment Court decision in 2015 that councils have the power under the Resource Management Act to control the use of GMOs in their regions.

 

 

Media contacts

 

Marion Thomson

Co-chair, Soil & Health

027 555 4014

 

Zelka Grammer

Chairperson, GE Free Northland

022 309 5039

 

Marty Robinson

Spokesman, GE Free Northland

09 407 8650

022 136 9619

Organic dairy farmers reaping just rewards

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The huge rise in the milk payout to organic dairy farmers is a welcome encouragement for the dairy sector to move towards clean, green and high-value production, according to the Soil & Health Association.

Fonterra just announced a big jump in the milk payout to organic farmers, due to increasing global demand. For the 2016-17 season organic farmers will receive $9.20 per kg of milk solids, up from the current organic price of $5.65. Non-organic milk solids fetch just $3.90.

“Consumers worldwide are demanding safe, healthy food, and are prepared to pay for high quality, GE-free, organic dairy products,” said Marion Thomson, co-chair of Soil & Health.

“It’s great to see Fonterra responding to this demand,” Thomson said. “Their announcement is a much more positive backing of organic dairy farmers than we have seen from them in the past.”

New Zealand organic dairy consumption mirrors the global trend. Domestic organic milk sales reportedly rose by 50% in 2014, according to the recently released NZ Organic Market Report. Nearly all the growth in domestic milk sales in 2015 came from organic milk (https://drive.google.com/file/d/18f0vUhTC4w8HMZ1o_I4Kg5Uy7_applRv/view?usp=sharing

To meet the demand, Soil & Health says organic milk processing needs to be more widely accessible in all regions, including the South Island.

Soil & Health expects to see increased interest from farmers in converting to organics.

“Organic dairying not only brings in a decent income for farmers, it also results in cleaner rivers and healthier people,” said Thomson.

Organic dairy farms have a lower environmental footprint than conventional farms, with improved soils and reduced nitrate leaching, resulting in cleaner waterways. Organic farms have lower greenhouse gas emissions and greater carbon capture in the soil. They have lower stocking rates, but receive a premium for a high-value, healthy product.

“To help farmers make the transition to organics, Soil & Health would like to see the government reinstate the successful organic advisory programme,” said Thomson. “New Zealand urgently needs to shift away from environmentally unsustainable farming practices and big irrigation schemes, and instead focus on sustainable farming.”

About two thirds of producers who took up the organic advisory programme went on to convert to organics.

NOTE:

The Organic Advisory Programme was established as part of an agreement between the Green Party and Labour Government, and ran from 2006–2009. http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0906/S00692/organic-advisory-programme-ends.htm

MEDIA CONTACT

Marion Thomson, co-chair, Soil & Health
027 555 4014
advocacy@organicnz.org.nz

Cows in Field

Organic farming will revitalise waterways

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The two most crucial moves we can make to improve New Zealand’s sadly degraded waterways are to stop dairy expansion, and to transition towards truly sustainable farming, according to the Soil & Health Association. Organic farmers are well ahead of the game in sustainable production and provide a model for a positive, healthy future for New Zealand. The latest issue of Soil & Health’s magazine, Organic NZ, includes an article ‘Dairy farming without nitrate leaching’ (May/June issue, just released this week).

 

“New Zealand’s waterways are in a dire state, with many showing a continuing deterioration in water quality, and no clear path for improvement.” said Marion Thomson, co-chair of Soil & Health. “The main driver of this is the increasing intensification of non-organic farms, and we urgently need to turn this around.”

 

“Organic and biological farming systems have a much lower ecological footprint, greater biodiversity and reduced nitrate leaching, making waterways healthier for all to enjoy,” she said.

 

Soil & Health welcomed the opportunity to submit on the consultation document “Next Steps for Fresh Water” which forms part of the Government’s freshwater reforms. The document outlines a range of bottom lines that healthy rivers must not fall below. One of these measures is human health, and the bottom line is that waterways must be safe for secondary contact, i.e. wading or boating.

 

“Weak bottom lines such as this will only allow water quality to decline,” said Thomson. “The bottom line must be swimmable rivers, and this needs to be a national target.”

 

However, given thata big factor in the pollution of waterways is nitrates from cow urine diffusing through soils, and from soluble nitrogen fertilisers, simply fencing off and planting around streams cannot solve this issue. Healthier fresh wateris achievable by ensuring stock numbers are sustainable, and by shifting to organic and biological fertilising practices that involve nitrogen-fixing pasture species, and healthy living soils with good moisture-holding capacity.

 

Soil & Health supports a number of other proposals in the consultation document that it believes have the potential to improve the management of freshwater in New Zealand. These include proposals for measuring water quality by catchment rather than region, and to exclude stock from waterways through regulation.

 

Media contact:

Marion Thomson
Co-chair, Soil & Health
027 555 4014
advocacy@organicnz.org.nz

Together we can keep Aotearoa GE-free!

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One of the world’s oldest organic organisations is now using crowdfunding to help keep New Zealand’s valuable GE-free status.

 

The Soil & Health Association of New Zealand, founded in 1941, has just launched a Givealittle page to appeal for donations from a wide range of Kiwis who want a clean, green, GE-free Aotearoa.

 

Recently, Soil & Health has been defending the rights of councils to control the use of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in their regions under the Resource Management Act.

 

Soil & Health’s new Givealittle page will help Kiwis contribute towards the costs involved in the High Court case held in Whangarei in February 2016. Soil & Health joined with others in the High Courtto protect Northland Regional Council’s ability to decide whether or not GMOs are released or field-trialled in Northland and, if so, whether any conditions should be placed on them. Soil & Health anticipates similar court cases in the future, so is also seeking funds now in preparation for these.

 

Any donations or financial support would be greatly appreciated and can be made viahttps://givealittle.co.nz/cause/soilandhealthstandagainstge.

Together we CAN keep Aotearoa GE-free!

 

 

For more information on the court case, visit: https://soilandhealth.org.nz/node/1102

For more information and GE and GMOs, visit: https://soilandhealth.org.nz/node/571

Celebrating 75 years of organics in NZ

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Cutting an organic cake at Parliament today marked the 75th anniversary of the Soil & Health Association, one of the world’s oldest organic organisations. The cake ceremony was a highlight of the launch of the OANZ 2016 New Zealand Organic Market Report.

 

“We’re so proud to be part of a movement that is championing healthy soil, healthy food and healthy people,” said Marion Thomson, co-chair of Soil & Health.

 

According to the Organic Market Report, two out of every three Kiwis are buying organic products. The organic sector in New Zealand has grown by 11% per annum every year since 2012, being driven by consumer demand, which is outstripping supply. Organic grocery sales through supermarkets have increased by 127% since 2012.

 

“More and more people are looking for organic food, which gives assurance that it is safe, healthy, environmentally conscious and GE-free,” said Marion Thomson.

 

“The report is a powerful validation of the growing strength of organics when it comes to Soil & Health’s legal cases, as we defend the rights of communities via their councils to retain the right to be GE-free, or determine the use of any outdoor GMOs in their areas,” she said.

 

The Soil & Health Association has, since it was founded in 1941, promoted organic gardening and farming methods, healthy food and good nutrition. It is the largest organic membership organisation in New Zealand, and publishes Organic NZ magazine.

GE: it’s our right to decide

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Communities should have the right to decide whether or not genetically modified organisms (GMOs) are released or field-trialled in their regions and, if so, whether any conditions should be placed on them, say the Soil & Health Association and GE Free Northland.

The two organisations again joined forces with Taitokerau mana whenua and others in court this week, responding to another case on the GMO issue brought by Federated Farmers, this time to the High Court in Whangarei. The judge’s decision is expected within a month.

“New Zealand has already seen inadequately contained GE field trials, in breach of the conditions of approval,” said Zelka Grammer, GE Free Northland chairperson. “We stand in support of the member councils of the Northland/Auckland Inter Council Working Party on GMOs, who are acting responsibly on their duty of care to the environment and constituents.”

“Federated Farmers claims to represent farmers, but many primary producers – organic and non-organic – are selling to high-value national and international markets that have zero tolerance for GE contamination,” said Marion Thomson, co-chair of Soil & Health.

Federated Farmers appealed the Environment Court decision in May 2015 that regional councils have the power under the Resource Management Act (RMA) to control the use of GMOs via regional planning instruments.

The Environment Court decision came about after Federated Farmers opposed Northland Regional Council’s proposed Regional Policy Statement, which included provisions relating to the use of GMOs in the region, and specifically included a policy requiring that a precautionary approach be taken to the introduction of GMOs.

Federated Farmers’ lawyer Richard Gardner argued in the High Court that central government passed the Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Act (HSNO) Act specifically for the purpose of controlling GMOs, and that parliament could not have intended for councils to duplicate that role under the RMA.

Soil & Health, GE Free Northland, Taitokerau mana whenua, Far North District Council and several other groups and individuals joined the appeal as section 274 (interested) parties pursuant to the RMA, in support of appellant Whangarei District Council. They were represented by Dr Royden Somerville, QC (senior counsel), and Robert Makgill (legal counsel).

Dr Somerville argued that Environment Court Judge Newhook was correct in his decision that the RMA and HSNO Act hold complementary and not overlapping roles. The two Acts offer different purposes and functional responses to the regulation of GMOs in New Zealand. Thus, regional planning documents can control the use of GMOs as part of promoting sustainable management under the RMA, taking account of regional needs.

The HSNO Act has a more confined role of regulating the granting (by the Environmental Protection Authority – EPA) of approvals to import, develop, field test or release new organisms as a ‘one-off’ regulatory transaction. The regulatory functions of the EPA under the HSNO Act do not allow for the provision of a regional approach to GMOs. That can only be dealt with under the RMA by regional councils and unitary authorities through policy statements and plans.

MEDIA CONTACTS:

Marion Thomson, co-chair, Soil & Health, 027 555 4014

Zelka Linda Grammer, chairperson, GE Free Northland, 022 309 5039

Joining forces to clean up food and farming

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The urgency of what’s happening to our food supply has motivated two key organic organisations to join forces. To counter industrial-style factory farming and food production, which is causing environmental degradation and ill health, Soil & Health and BioGro are working together to offer clean, green organic solutions.

The Soil & Health Association (publisher of OrganicNZ magazine)1 and BioGro Society (owner of the BioGro organic certification company)2 are discussing a merger, following the approval by both memberships in July 2015 to explore a variety of options. Both organisations are well established in their own right, and are taking the opportunity to join their expertise and resources and work together to enliven the organic sector.

“New Zealand needs live up to its clean, green image. We urgently need to shift towards high-value, safe, sustainable, GE-free organic farming, for the sake of our health, economy and environment,” said Marion Thomson, co-chair of Soil & Health.

“Organic food and farming can play a major role in countering rising health problems like cancer, allergies, diabetes and obesity,” Ms Thomson said.

“There is a big future for organics in New Zealand, and a strengthened and unified organic sector will highlight our successes and take a leadership role in sharing the solutions to current problems,” says Gaz Ingram, chair of BioGro Society.

“With changing weather patterns, we need robust and sustainable ways of producing food and fibre,” Mr Ingram said.

As consumers increasingly demand clean, safe, GE-free, organic, ethical food and other products, there is a growing need for a strong, unified organic sector that can represent and advocate for consumers and producers alike.

The joint initiative is an exciting opportunity to combine forces and unite the two organisations, whose values and goals are very closely aligned.

A working party which includes members from Soil & Health’s National Council and BioGro Society’s board is developing a strategic direction that will see a refreshed and united organisation that will capture the strengths, skills and resources of both organisations. A plan will go out to all members around March 2016. Members will vote at the AGMs of both organisations in July 2016.

NOTES
1.    The Soil & Health Association is the largest membership organisation supporting organic food and farming in New Zealand. In 2016 it celebrates its 75th anniversary. Soil & Health was founded in 1941 as the Humic Compost Club by New Zealanders who were concerned about degraded soils, increasing refined foods, and the links of both of these with declining nutrition.
It promotes sustainable agricultural practices and principles of good health based on sound nutrition and the motto ‘Healthy soil – healthy food – healthy people’.
www.organicnz.org.nz

2.    The BioGro Society was formed in 1983 by Soil & Health, the Biodynamic Association and the Henry Doubleday Research Association, who saw the need for a credible and internationally respected organic standard and certification process, in order to safeguard the interests of producers and consumers.
The BioGro company (owned by the BioGro Society) is the premier organic certification agency in New Zealand. It certifies and accredits over 600 producers in New Zealand and the Pacific, is accredited to IFOAM (International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements) and has an excellent reputation with domestic and export markets.
www.biogro.co.nz

Climate-friendly farming: we have the solutions

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We have good news for John Key! At the climate talks in Paris, Prime Minister John Key said that cost-effective technologies for reducing New Zealand’s agricultural emissions were not yet available.

 

However, according to the Soil & Health Association, not only do we already have the technology and the know-how to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture, but using this technology will also have multiple other benefits for our economy, our environment, our soils and waterways, and our health.

 

“We already have low-emission climate-friendly farming practices – it’s called organic farming,” said Marion Thomson, co-chair of Soil & Health.

 

Because nearly 50% of New Zealand’s greenhouse gas emissions come from farming, we cannot continue to ignore this. By moving towards organic and biological farming, we will reduce carbon, methane and nitrous oxide emissions.

 

“Soil & Health is calling on the government to reinvest the taxpayer money going to the Global Research Alliance on Agricultural Greenhouse Gases, and instead use it to help farmers transition to organic practices,” said Thomson.

 

“The $20 million Mr Key just promised to the Alliance would be infinitely more effectively invested in growing the organic farming sector. Helping farmers transition to eco-friendly, climate-friendly organic farming will be good for our health, wealth and environment. What’s not to like about that?” asked Thomson.

The organic approach ticks all the right boxes. By farming organically, farmers can reduce stock numbers and still get the same income, because global markets are crying out for clean, green, pasture-fed, GE-free and organic food, and are prepared to pay a premium for it.

 

Lower stock numbers mean lower greenhouse gas emissions, as well as reducing the impacts on soils and waterways, which desperately need to be cleaned up.

Mixed pasture species including those with high tannins like birdsfoot trefoil can be grown to reduce methane emissions from ruminant animals.

In addition, organic farms have better soil structures and better soil moisture-holding capacity, which will help farmers cope with the effects of climate change that we are seeing already. Organic farms are more resilient in the face of floods and droughts.

 

Non-organic farms generally use pesticides that are either known or suspected carcinogens, so going organic will also reduce the nation’s health bill by reducing or eliminating the use of harmful chemicals.

 

 

MEDIA CONTACT:

Marion Thomson, co-chair, Soil & Health

027 555 4014