Proposed NZ Organic Farming Legislation 'From The Dark Ages'

While the European Union has just announced an ambitious programme of funding for organic agriculture, organic producers in New Zealand are decrying proposed legislation as being "from the dark ages".

The Organic Products Bill proposed one standard for organic certification which would be controlled by the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI). There were two current industry certifiers, Biogro and Assure Quality.

Organics Aotearoa New Zealand (OANZ) chairman Chris Morrison said the proposed legislation would do little to foster the domestic organic market, and its costs were likely to drive smaller growers out.

The Organic Products Bill proposed, in effect, to double the bureaucracy and costs for organic producers, Biogro NZ chief executive Donald Nordeng said.