Organic Sector Growing Together At Lincoln Conf

Organic Sector Growing Together At Lincoln Conference

Press Release
For Immediate Release: Tuesday, 26 June 2007

Organics Aotearoa New Zealand (OANZ) has announced its first annual conference to be held at Lincoln University 17 – 19 August. The conference incorporates the annual gatherings of OANZ constituent members BioGro, the Biodynamic Association and the Soil & Health Association, and is being hailed as the most significant gathering of the organic sector in New Zealand for several years.

“This conference marks a coming of age for organic farming in New Zealand. It is now widely appreciated that certified organic production is a serious commercial option, with many international markets growing by more than 20% per annum”, said Ken Shirley, OANZ Executive Director.

“The total productive annual value of New Zealand’s organic sector is now estimated at over $200 million. OANZ has set a goal of growing this to $1 billion by 2013, and our Organic Advisory Programme is helping many producers take advantage of the health, environmental and trade opportunities that certified organic production offers.

“The organic sector includes a wide range of activities covering the full range of the food and beverage supply chain, together with fibre, personal care and building products. This variety is reflected in the conference theme: ‘Our Organic Future: Cottage or Corporate’.

“Keynote speakers Professor Ton Baars, Professor of Biodynamics at Kassel University, and Roger Hitchings, Head of the United Kingdom’s Organic Advisory Service, will both bring valuable insights and information from European organic education, extension and research programmes.

“Ton Baars has pioneered new research methods and will lead discussion on the first day of the conference, which includes a full programme of presentations by researchers from New Zealand and overseas.

“Morgan Williams, former Commissioner for the Environment, will join several environmental organization representatives to present on the links between organic production and environmental sustainability. Other presenters include Dr Arden Andersen, US agronomist and medical doctor who has been teaching farmers about high quality biological production for nutrition and health, and Tom Lambie, ex-president of Federated Farmers and an organic dairy farmer.

“Other sessions will include certification, financial and social aspects, Maori values and plant and animal health. The third day of the conference will include a wide variety of practical workshops and farm visits”, Mr Shirley said.

Online registration for the conference is available by following the link from www.oanz.org.nz. Earlybird registrations close on 30 June.

ENDS

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