Opinion: Regulation for the organic industry is great - but we need to get it right

OPINION: The Organic Products Bill will almost certainly have slipped under the radar of most people. 

It is a Government Bill that enjoys cross party support for its objectives and on its first reading in Parliament was passed almost unanimously (one vote against).

With the global market for organic products increasing at annual growth rates of anywhere between 9 and 15 percent for at least the last 15 years, and expected to reach around $221 billion this year, the organic sector has huge potential for our primary producers. 

Add to this the proven contribution that organic farming can make to restoring soil and water health, eco-system regeneration and carbon sequestration, and the importance of supporting this sector with appropriate legislation is easy to understand.