Organic Sector Receives Government Support

20 March 2006

Organic Sector Receives Government Support

Ministry of Economic Development funding of 1.5 million dollars over the next two and a half years for Organics Aotearoa New Zealand (OANZ) is evidence of the cohesion of the sector organisation and its potential for growth, said OANZ chair Doug Voss. OANZ is the umbrella organisation for New Zealand organics, newly formed as a result of the Organic Sector Strategy developed in 2003.

Doug Voss in thanking Economic Development Minister Trevor Mallard for the Government support said that the funding will enable OANZ to lead the unified organic sector and establish self-funding. OANZ will set up a Wellington based office to support the sector in implementing the Organic Sector Strategy.

This milestone for New Zealand organics will mean the continued growth of organics in New Zealand, which has grown substantially in the last five years, to achieve our target of one billion dollars in sales by 2013, Mr Voss said.

Organic primary production methods will assist the New Zealand agricultural sector to solve some of the environmental issues that must be addressed to maintain an economic and export market edge.

OANZ will lead the organics sector’s sustainable growth by utilizing selected expertise in five focused task teams of: Communications and Positioning; Training, Education and Research; Export and Market Access; Organics Representation and Advocacy; and Marketing and Branding Support.

This initiative admirably complements the food and beverage sector’s current initiatives for adding value and growth. Significant farm gate premiums are being realised in the organic kiwifruit, pip fruit and dairy sectors presently, and OANZ expects to facilitate the expansion of these successes, said OANZ chair Doug Voss.

ENDS

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