WHAT IS ORGANIC?

Organic agriculture is a production system that sustains the health of soils, ecosystems, and people. It relies on ecological processes, biodiversity, and cycles adapted to local conditions, rather than the use of inputs with adverse effects.

Organic agriculture combines tradition, innovation, and science to benefit the shared environment and promote fair relationships and a good quality of life for all involved.

The Global Organic Definition

This definition, promulgated in 2018 by IFOAM – Organics International, was agreed upon after more than two years of global consultation. OANZ subscribes to this definition and adopts IFOAM’s four principles of organic farming, which underpin national organic standards:

The Four Principles of Organic Agriculture

• Health
  Organic agriculture should sustain and enhance the health of soil, plant, animal, and human as one and indivisible.

• Ecology
  Organic agriculture should be based on living ecological systems and cycles, work with them, emulate them, and help sustain them.

• Fairness
  Organic agriculture should build on relationships that ensure fairness with regard to the common environment and life opportunities.

• Care
  Organic agriculture should be managed in a precautionary and responsible manner to protect the health and well-being of current and future generations and the environment.

Image: Kings Eat Organics, Auckland

Why Certification Matters

Organic certification provides formal assurance that these principles are upheld through every stage of the supply chain – from production to final sale.

Certification involves third-party verification, including ongoing monitoring and auditing systems, which ensure the credibility and integrity of organic claims in both domestic and international markets.

What Organic Certification Means for Consumers

For consumers, organic certification offers peace of mind that products have been grown and produced according to these agreed principles.

Importantly, certification extends beyond the farm, encompassing every step of the journey – from soil to supermarket shelf.

Organic production is governed by legally recognised standards in over 70 countries, with certification ensuring transparency and compliance across the entire supply chain.

Organic in Action: Why Organic Farming Matters

Working With Nature

Organic farming blends tradition, science, and innovation to grow food in partnership with nature. By choosing organic, we protect human and environmental health, while supporting farming systems that are resilient, ethical and future-focused.

‘‘Organic is more than just synthetic chemical-free farming’’

-Tiffany Tompkins, OANZ CEO

Organic and Climate Change

Nearly half of Aotearoa’s greenhouse gas emissions come from agriculture. Industrial farming contributes heavily to this through synthetic fertilisers and soil degradation.

Here are the key ways organic farming addresses climate change:

• Carbon Sequestration - Organic soils store significantly more carbon due to higher organic matter content from compost, cover crops, and reduced tillage, helping remove CO2 from the atmosphere and lock it in the ground [Source: MIT Climate Portal].

• Reduced Emissions - By eliminating synthetic fertilisers (which require enormous energy to produce and release nitrous oxide), organic farms have substantially lower greenhouse gas emissions per acre. [Source: MDPI]

• Climate Change Resilience and Adaptation - Organic farming builds resilient soils that absorb water faster, hold moisture longer, and resist erosion, helping farms withstand floods, droughts, and extreme weather. Increased soil organic matter and microbial life improve structure and plant health, delivering up to 30% higher yields during climate stress. [Source: Rodale)

• Biodiversity Support - Scientific evidence collected in the last decade clearly shows that organically farmed land has, on average, 30 per cent more species than conventionally farmed areas. Organic farm landscapes offer many benefits. On average, they are 50% more abundant with wildlife, hosting up to 34% more species on average on and around the farm. This includes enhanced habitat for beneficial insects that provide natural pest control, creating more resilient ecosystems that can better adapt to changing climate conditions. [Source: IFOAM / RODALE]

• Reduced Fossil Fuel Dependence - Lower reliance on synthetic inputs means less energy consumption for manufacturing and transporting agricultural chemicals, reducing the carbon footprint of food production.

Protecting Biodiversity

Industrial agriculture is the leading cause of global biodiversity loss, threatening 86% of species at risk of extinction. [Source: CISL]

Organic farms, in contrast, support life:

• No synthetic inputs = less pollution and soil damage

• Biodiverse cropping = resilient ecosystems

• Healthier soil = healthier food webs

By promoting organic farming that enhances biodiversity, we also build resilient food systems that can better withstand pests, disease, and climate volatility.

GE-FREE FUTURE

Organic agriculture stands firmly against genetic engineering. This isn’t just a philosophical position; it’s a globally recognised standard designed to protect ecological integrity, human health, and consumer trust.

Unlike conventional or even regenerative farming systems, certified organic farms are prohibited from using genetically engineered (GE) or genetically modified organisms (GMOs) at any stage, from seed to soil to animal feed. This clear line in the sand is what gives organic its reputation for purity and transparency.

The reason is simple: GE technologies are incompatible with organic principles. Most GE crops are designed for use with synthetic herbicides like glyphosate, leading to increased chemical use, resistant weeds, and environmental degradation. Some are engineered to produce their own insecticides, with unknown long-term impacts on ecosystems and soil biology.

There’s also the issue of contamination. Once GE crops are released into the environment, there’s no calling them back. Cross-pollination can threaten organic farms, biodiversity, and the right of consumers to choose non-GE food. This is particularly concerning in a country like Aotearoa New Zealand, which relies on its natural reputation and high-value export markets.

In a global food system facing growing corporate consolidation and technological disruption, staying GE-free is not just a farming choice—it’s a food sovereignty decision. It protects farmer independence, consumer rights, and the integrity of the land we all rely on.