Green Party Agriculture Spokesperson Ian Ewen-Street MP today said Green initiatives in the field of organics - announced by the Government today - was more good news for organic producers, consumers and markets.

The Government today launched its Eco-2001 pre-budget package which included a number of Green initiatives including new money of $100,000 to establish a set of national minimum standards for organic food production and the $150,000 negotiated during the last budget round for a small growers organic development programme has been extended for a further year.

"The Greens are really pleased with the announcements of our initiatives today," said Mr Ewen-Street.

"The establishment of a set of national minimum standards at the level set by the International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements (IFOAM) has been recommended by the Select Committee inquiry into organics and today's announcement will help implement this recommendation.

"It will also give certainty to both consumers and growers and will help firm-up markets for organic produce."

Mr Ewen-Street said the creation of these standards would be good news for the organics industry and would help clear up some of the confusion that has surrounded the definition of organics.

"The $150,000 to continue the work on a small growers organic development programme will encourage small-scale growers to participate in a group certification scheme to ensure they will not be discouraged by prohibitive certification costs."

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