 |
THE DIRECTORY |
|
 |
|
|
ORGANIC FARMING, CERTIFICATION AND CERTIFIERS
WHAT IS ORGANIC FARMING? Organic farming means farming in a way which cares for the environment, without relying upon synthetic chemicals. Organic food comes from organic farms utilising the best of both traditional and modern agricultural techniques.
There are two levels or categories:
CERTIFIED ORGANIC, BIODYNAMIC Certified organic or Level A means a farm has fully converted to organics. Such a farm has been operated organically, usually for a minimum of three years and has been inspected and regulated by the certifier. No artificial chemicals are used and the farmer is managing in a way that cares for the environment and for the quality of produce. When you buy produce from a farm that is certified organic, you are supporting many years of hard work, patience, and care for the environment.
CERTIFIED IN CONVERSION The "in conversion" level or level B produce is from a farm which practises to the same standard as level A, but has perhaps only been doing that for a year or two. When you buy these products you support the farmer in the best practise polices whilst assisting them in remaining organic for many years to come. All certified organic and biodynamic produce has been approved by an independent body known as an organic certifier, such as the ACO, BDRI, NASAA, OGA, SFQ, TOPS or OFC. In turn, these certifiers are monitored by an independent auditor from AQIS, the federal government's Quarantine and Inspection Service. Other countries have the right to investigate AQIS’s auditing of any certifier and their inspection procedures.
WHAT HAPPENS TO CHEATS?
They are likely to be caught, the certifiers do random checks on the produce and on the farms and processors. There is an audit trail that can be followed right back to the farm if anything suspect is found. WHICH IS BETTER, ORGANIC OR FREE-RANGE? All ‘organic’ produce is an enhanced form of free-range, so when you buy organic, you contribute to the welfare benefits of free-range and the organic benefits for the environment, with the additional reassurance that the animals diet is organic. Certified organic means animals & chickens have access to organic pasture & feed, and have sympathetic housing conditions. No antibiotics or other synthetics are allowed for use in organic production systems.
IS IT SUSTAINABLE?
When the certifier checks a farm they want a to see a system which is well on the way to being sustainable. They want to see a farmer who can keep farming this way, far into the future. If the farmer is not at that stage, the certifier requires the farmer to take more steps in that direction. WHO ARE AUSTRALIA'S ORGANIC CERTIFIERS?
|
_______________________________________________________________________ |
||
NATIONAL CERTIFIED REGULATORY MARK (VOLUNTARY) |
 |
|
| PO Box 3335, Tamarama NSW 2026 Ph 9365 7668 Fax 9365 7828 info@theorganicsdirectory.com.au |