14 <strong>Organic</strong> Farming in Australia / oceania Genetic Engineering Genetic Engineering is a major issue in New Zealand, and was <strong>the</strong> number one issue in <strong>the</strong> general election in July 2002. There was a moratorium on commercial release <strong>of</strong> GMOs until October 2003, but in spite <strong>of</strong> majority public and industry support for it to remain, that was lifted. Because <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> strong opposition to GE no applications for commercial release have been made at this stage, and any that are made will meet fierce resistance. There is a very active movement for New Zealand to remain non-GE, and it is supported by a majority <strong>of</strong> New Zealanders. GE remains an important issue for New Zealand’s <strong>organic</strong> sector. O<strong>the</strong>r A key issue for New Zealand’s <strong>organic</strong> sector is lack <strong>of</strong> production, both for <strong>the</strong> export market and <strong>the</strong> domestic market. The only solution is to encourage more farmers to convert, by providing advice and research to support conversion, and <strong>the</strong> various <strong>organic</strong> organizations such as BioGro and <strong>the</strong> sector groups are doing <strong>the</strong> best <strong>the</strong>y can within <strong>the</strong>ir resources to facilitate this support. It is expected that OANZ will increasingly coordinate this effort. 14.3 <strong>Organic</strong> Farming Statistics and Information Sources Table 29: Australia / Oceania: Land under <strong>organic</strong> management and <strong>organic</strong> farms country year land area under <strong>organic</strong> management (hectares) share <strong>of</strong> agricultural area number <strong>of</strong> farms Australia 2004 12‘126‘633 2.71% 1‘832 Fiji 2004 200 0.04% 10 New Zealand 2003 45‘000 0.26% 820 Total 12‘171‘833 2.62% 2‘662 Source: FiBL-Survey 2005/ 2006 Information Sources Australia: Ian Lyall. Manager <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Organic</strong> and Biodynamic Program. Tel: +61 2 6271 6638. Fax: +61 2 6272 3238. E-mail: Ian.Lyall@aqis.gov.au Homepage: www.aqis.gov.au/<strong>organic</strong> New Zealand: Seager Mason, Technical Director, BioGro New Zealand, PO Box 9693, Marion Square, Wellington 6031, New Zealand, Internet http://www.bio-gro.co.nz and www.<strong>organic</strong>snewzealand.org.nz. Fiji Islands: Gerhard Stemmler, Mr. Director. Herbex Ltd. Tel: +679 9925221 & 6660387. P.O. Box 516. Fax: +679 6640200. Lautoka. Fiji – Islands. E-mail: gks@connect.com.fj Homepage: www.herbex.com - Cocoa data from: SIPPO. 2002. <strong>Organic</strong> C<strong>of</strong>fee, Cocoa and Tea. Market, certification and production information for producers and international trading companies. SIPPO Study, CH-Zurich Vanautu: Cocoa data from: SIPPO. 2002. <strong>Organic</strong> C<strong>of</strong>fee, Cocoa and Tea. Market, certification and production information for producers and international trading companies. SIPPO Study, ZH-Zurich 129
15 <strong>Organic</strong> Farming in Europe Map 4: <strong>Organic</strong> farming in Europe. Source: FiBL Survey 2005/2006; © SOEL / FiBL 15.1 Europe: Statistics, Support Schemes and Research Helga Willer 1 15.1.1 Statistical Development: Continued Growth Since <strong>the</strong> beginning <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> 1990s, <strong>organic</strong> farming has rapidly developed in almost all European countries. Growth has, however, slowed down recently. According to this survey in Europe more than 6.5 million hectares are managed <strong>organic</strong>ally by almost 167’000 farms. 1 Dr. Helga Willer, Communication, Research Institute <strong>of</strong> <strong>Organic</strong> Agriculture FiBL, Ackerstrasse, 5070 Frick, Internet http://www.fibl.org 130 4,910 ha 30,670 ha 154,921 ha 48,152 ha 46,016 ha 43,902 ha 64,545 ha 82,730 ha 767,891 ha 23,728 ha 3,158 ha 260,120 ha 241,980 ha 93,943 ha 534,037 ha 984 ha 121,387 ha 75,000 ha 23,032 ha 310 ha 12,284 ha 7,355 ha 20,542 ha 733,182 ha 954,316 ha 192 ha 804 ha 108,597 ha 249,488 ha 206,524 ha 1,000,000 ha 10,001-100,000 ha 344,916 ha 13 ha 100,001- 1,000,000 ha 162,024 ha 128,690 ha 1,018 ha (Cyprus)