BioNews - BioGro

BioNewsDecember 2012Trading PostAdvertising in BioNewsBioNews is distributed to all BioGrocertified businesses, organicorganisations in NZ and overseas,and members of the New ZealandBiological Producers and ConsumersSociety. It's also available online atwww.nzbpcs.org and www.biogro.co.nzIf you’d like to promote your products,services or event to our readers,please contact bionews@biogro.co.nz.BioNews Advertisements (printed in full colour)1/8 A4 page (8cm x 6cm) $50FOR SALEAs seen on Country Calendar and Al Brown Show.Featured in Country Calendar cookbook and thenewly published ‘Food Heroes’. Fantastic profile,awesome product.The Organic Farm Butchery Ltd processes the meatgrown by its Organic Farm, suppliers of the East Coast,from Gisborne to Wairarapa. Our product is distributednationally from our modern, fully equipped facility inHastings. Preferred suppliers to high end retailers,restaurants, wineries and cafes nationwide.We are experiencing growth and demand that we canno longer manage. Our passion lies in growing thequality raw product that underpins this businesstherefore we reluctantly offer part or all of thiscompany for sale.Direct all enquiries to the owner Andy Tait-Jamieson06 874 6664, thefarm@clear.net.nz RatesQuarter A4 page (8cm x 12.5cm) $100Half A4 page (17cm x 12.5cm) $200Full A4 page $400NZBPCS members:one free 1/8 page classified advertisement per year4

BioNewsDecember 2012Certified successfulBioGro certified companies also featured in the National Sustainable Business Network (SBN) Awards.Villa Maria Estate took the title of 2012 Sustainable Business Of The Year, while certified organic coffee roaster, café,and catering company, Kokako was named the Sustainable Business Network’s Small Business Trailblazer.The award judges praised Villa Maria for its long-standingand pioneering commitment to sustainability.They said that the business took an avant garde approachwithin its own industry, and is a clear demonstration ofwhat is possible across all sectors in New Zealand.Kokako makes community realThe judges said Small Business Trailblazer winner,Kokako has a committed approach to organics, andethically sourced products.The company goes to extensive lengths to ensure itsproducts are the most sustainable option available, hasexternal verification of the environmental and socialcharacteristics of all its products, which are certifiedorganic (BioGro No. 5165) and Fairtrade.“Kokako has a strong understanding that the businessis a community-based one and is proactive in creatingstrong and supportive local relationships, including withlocal schools and through a local door drop. Its outreachwork includes nature groups such as Ark in the Park”.It has very innovative and inclusive waste solutions, andalso works with clients and suppliers to embed itssustainable culture. Kokako, another business whichChris Morrison is involved in, was also named a trail-blazerin 2009 for extending its responsible business practices toinfluencing and educating its customers and suppliers.Villa Maria was the first major New Zealand winery to gainBioGro certification, achieving this milestone for itsAuckland winery and bottling facility in 2007. In addition to30% of its wine production being organically managed, itincorporates organic practices throughout its vineyards.“Villa Maria takes its role as a promoter of the ‘clean, green’image for New Zealand seriously, and it makes it a realitythrough its business practices,” judge, Peta Fraser, IAGSustainability Manager said.“The company’s commitment to sustainability is led from thefront by its CEO, George Fistonich. He is an active champion ofall things sustainable within the wine industry and morebroadly on national policy,” Peta Fraser said.Villa Maria was also winner of the Large BusinessTrailblazer category.Organics to the fore“It’s gratifying to see our licensees recognized as beingso much at the heart of building a successful sustainablefuture” says BioGro Chief Executive, Michelle Glogau.“Certified organic businesses are represented in theAwards out of all proportion to their prevalence in themarketplace”.The awards are now in their ninth year. Organic operationshave been finalists in the awards in six of the nine years,and BioGro certified companies have taken out top awardsa number of times.“Clearly the practices and disciplines that businesses applyto gain organic certification go hand in hand with smart,sustainable business practice across the board.”6

BioNewsDecember 2012And we’ve hit the big one!The other big thing coming up next year is the 30thanniversary of the NZBPCS.Being 30 in itself is great, but it’s not just about being 30because you could be a 30 year old organisation and be adinosaur. I think if you look back at those fledgling steps bythose few pioneers back in 1983, and then at the dynamicworld we are now a vital part of, we can all feel extremelyproud of what BioGro and organics has become.We’re starting to plan some activities to celebrate our 30thbirthday and to help boost our profile in the media. If youhave ideas, and/or want to join us in the celebrations,please get in touch.Thank you for your support through 2012.Enjoy the festive season.Michelle GlogauCEO – BioGro and Organic Certification NZ25 years with BioGro - Proud farewell to a pioneerIt is with great sadness we received the news thatorganic fertiliser pioneer, Clive Sinclair passed awayafter a battle with illness, as this issue of BioNews wasbeing compiled.Clive’s pioneering company, Pacific BioFert had justcelebrated 25 years of certification with us. PacificBioFert first registered for BioGro certification inNovember 1987, and holds the license number, BG 171.Clive had devoted his life to developing scientificallymeasured and tested alternatives to chemical fertilisersthat are sustainable, biologically active, and friendly tothe environment, and was also a regular lecturer forhorticultural students.Clive developed a process that utilises fish waste andother nutrients blended with reactive rock phosphate,lime, or serpentine to create fertilisers that areequivalent in production to chemical fertilisers. Thepatented process enzymically “weathers” the rock athigh temperatures in a low moisture environment usingthe same microorganisms that compost organic matternaturally in the environment, but results in acceleratedweathering of the inorganic fertiliser rock andproduction of biological fertilisers of high mineral andnutrient content.The company also provides a range of liquid traceelements from its factory in Pokeno, and featured onRural Delivery in October this year.Our thoughts and condolences go to Pepe, Bill,Louisa, John, and all the family and team from all of ushere at BioGro.9

BioNewsDecember 2012Thoughts from the ChairNZBPCS Chair, Chris MorrisonMerry Christmas everybodyAs 2012 comes to a close, I’vebeen reflecting on championingsustainability and telling thewhole story about organics.Environmentally, economically,culturally, politically, and socially,sustainability is an importantissue for New Zealand.Green, eco, natural, free range,ethically sourced, GE free, organic, spray free, chemical free,paraben free, socially responsible, sustainable,environmentally friendly…all words frequently used bymarketers to suggest that their brands, products or servicesare ‘better’ than others who don’t claim any of these things.So where should ‘certified organic’ sit in this line-up?I suggest it sits right up the front.BioGro’s internationally recognised standards incorporateall of these causes, some of which other businesses claimwithout any independent verification.Attending the recent national Sustainable BusinessNetwork (SBN) Awards was a great reminder of how anincreasing number of local businesses are striving tooperate more sustainably, from organic coffee companiesand recycled stationery brands to environmentally-friendlycoffins and fruit packing houses. This is great news and theentrants are right to put their hands up and beacknowledged for their fantastic efforts.However it also struck me that our certified organicproducers are also operating sustainably, ethically,responsibly, and all of these things that others claim.Telling the storyAny BioGro certified producer, processor, importer,exporter, wholesaler, distributor, or retailer knows what ittakes to operate organically and be certified by BioGro.Those producers know that buying certified organic eggsmeans that consumers are supporting free range. And thatbuying a certified organic moisturiser means it wasn’ttested on animals, etc.We know BioGro certification guarantees consumers manythings, but how many shopping at a supermarket or visitingtheir local farmer’s market understand this?We need to be sure that what we’re doing gets the credit itdeserves: that people know we’re certifying organics to thehighest standards.‘Certified organic’ covers the lotWe need to tell people the ‘whole’ story about organics sothat they appreciate the real value they’re getting for theirorganic dollar.When consumers buy BioGro-certified products they’resupporting:– Locally grown/seasonal produce– Their health e.g. chemical free, residue free, paraben free– Animal welfare e.g. free range– The environment e.g. clean waterways, healthy soil– Social responsibility – e.g. ethical sourcing such as fairtradeConsumers are faced with an increasing range of productsmeeting different criteria. Many carry self-made claims andcertification logos standing for different things. Manyconsumers choose free range OR ethically-sourcedproducts over ‘certified organic’ because they’re not awarethat ‘certified organic’ covers the lot.In the current recession they’re thinking more carefullyabout what they support, so we need consumers to knowthat spending a dollar on a certified organic productdelivers many more benefits than any single cause.Making it easyThe recent launch of BioGro’s organic standard specificallyfor retailers is a great example of how we can make it easierfor consumers to make informed decisions when facedwith more than one choice (e.g. certified organic vsuncertified organic vs non organic). We can ensure ourorganic standards are easy to access and understand, sothat consumers know how producers must operate to becertified.Certified producers can promote what ‘being certified’requires and therefore what it offers their customers.And consumers should ask suppliers for evidence of theirclaims when it’s not clear if they are certified by a 3rd partyto an independent and recognised standard.10

BioNewsDecember 2012While New Zealand continues to be an unregulated market(for organics), marketers will continue making self-claims,but consumers will also continue to be wary of greenwashing and look for evidence to support any claims.It’s clear to me that certified-organic is still the best way forproducers to guarantee that what they’re selling really isorganic.Next year, NZBPCS and BioGro will celebrate 30 years ofsupporting organic producers and consumers in NewZealand. We look forward to sharing this milestone withyou in various regions around the country. It will be a greatchance to get our whole (organic) story out there.Until then, enjoy a warm and restful holiday.Chris MorrisonChair of New Zealand Biological Producers& Consumers Society (NZBPCS)BioGro and Organic Certification NZ11

BioNewsDecember 2012New Zealand News:World’s first compostable fruit labelZespri is to introduce the world’s first compostable fruitlabels on its Organic Kiwifruit.Zespri’s Glen Arrowsmith, says the initiative is part ofongoing efforts to improve the environmental credentialsof its products.“Our international customers are increasingly interestedin the sustainability of products.”“Making a premium Zespri brand label stick to hairykiwifruit skin, hold together under the high humidity andcold temperatures in storage, and then break downreasonably quickly when thrown out with the fruit skinwas a big challenge. But we’ve done it.”Zespri worked with US-based label manufacturer SinclairSystems for four years to overcome the technical challengesand has tested five million compostable labels on ZespriOrganic fruit sold in Europe, North America and someAsian markets.“The large-scale trial we ran this year showed thecompostable labels could be applied at speed in thepackhouse and performed well through the supply chain”.Sinclairs found the labels degraded within 22 weeks to lessthan ten percent of the original dry matter, and meet allrelevant food safety regulations for direct food contact.Zespri’s standard labels are made of polyethylene and – likeall Zespri packaging materials – are 100 percent recyclable.“We believe our current labels are also environmentallyresponsible. Our customers can stick them on a drink bottleor any other PET (polyethylene terephthalate) product andput them out in the recycling,” says Mr Arrowsmith.“… Making a label stick to hairykiwifruit skin, and then breakdown quickly was a big challenge”The compostable labeling initiative is part of a range ofinitiatives including comprehensive measurements ofcarbon and water footprints; studying kiwifruit growingeffects on soil carbon levels; and using fruit waste tomanufacture bioplastic.Organic food firm in receivershipAuckland-based organic food company, Pitango has beenplaced into receivership along with its Australian parentcompany, understood to owe millions of dollars to creditors.Pitango, with around 25 staff, makes a range of soups,curries, risottos, sauces and pastas sold in supermarkets.Receivers Ferrier Hodgson say creditors had tried to find abuyer for Pitango's parent company, Gourmet FoodHoldings, but failed and it went into voluntaryadministration including Pitango, Australian tomato saucefirm Rosella, and Australian biscuit firm Waterwheel.A Ferrier Hodgson spokesman told the Sydney MorningHerald it was too early to say whether there would be anyjob losses.Receivers are looking for expressions of interest frompotential buyers of the group or its individual businesses.“…Receivers are looking forexpressions of interest frompotential buyers of the group orits individual businesses…”Uncrushed seed high risk to NZ’sGE free statusAn immediate ban on all imported GE supplementaryanimal feed has been called for by Soil & Health untilAustralian biosecurity measures are improved.The discovery in recent weeks of uncrushed GE seed in acotton seed meal shipment imported from Australia isoutrageous according to Debbie Swanwick, of Soil & Health.However, Federated Farmers vice-President, WilliamRolleston, cited the major concern with the shipment asbeing the possibility that it contained exotic weeds.“This level of apathy about the risk to NZ's GE Free status isgross negligence,” Swanick says."NZ farmers should not be forced to have to grow GE cropsbecause a body that should represent their right to choose isfailing to stand on their behalf. It is simply good fortune thatthe discovery of the contagion made by MPI was in a SouthIsland shipment, where conditions for growing cotton seedare not conducive, but next time we might not be so lucky"says Swanwick.12

BioNewsDecember 2012In July last year Australian farmer Steve Marsh sued hisneighbor Michael Baxter for contamination from GE canolaresulting in the loss of Marsh’s organic status. The case issoon to go to the Western Australia Supreme court.Swanwick says despite what is being said about securingour borders against GE intrusions, Federated Farmers areturning a blind eye to practices that could unleash it.“There is a minor group ofindividuals in NZ who are intenton GE crops being grown here.”“There is a minor group of individuals in NZ who are intenton GE crops being grown here.” The importation of GEsupplementary feed that is unlabeled and compromises ourfood chain and export markets is just one example.Orchard sale sign of confidenceThe purchase of a large orchard planted with the G3 and G14variety kiwi vines is a sign of confidence in the industry'sfuture, says the purchasers’ spokesperson, Paul Jones.“It was easy to find people keen to be part of the purchase,despite the impacts of the disease Psa-V,” says Paul who is adirector of kiwifruit management company, DMS Progrowers.Despite the Psa risk, he says it took less than a week to forma group of investors.The orchard is 48 ha and is based in Paengaroa.“In fact we had to turn some away and reduce the level ofinvestment by others. All who are part of the small groupare experienced in the kiwifruit industry and well aware ofthe challenges of Psa.”“…Despite the Psa risk, it took lessthan a week to form a group ofinvestors…”One Whangarei grower said the $50million Rural Assistancepackage - a $25million contribution each from theGovernment and the kiwifruit industry - was "welcome, butnot enough in an industry worth $1.5billion a year".However, New Zealand Kiwifruit Growers Incorporated(NZKGI) and Horticulture New Zealand have welcomed theGovernment’s move.New Zealand Kiwifruit Growers Incorporated President NeilTrebilco says “When the income from their last harveststops is when the financial and psychological pressure ofPsa will weigh most heavily on growers and their families”.Certified skin care launchedNelson’s Carol Priest has launched a new BioGro certifiedorganic skin care company.The company is called Plantæ (Latin for ‘plant kingdom’),and includes two of Carol's daughters, Janelle and Fiona.“I started making natural skin care products in 1988 and theopportunity to now launch a 'second generation' companywith my daughters is wonderful,” Carol says.“BioGro certification distinguishes Plantæ from otherproducts”, Sales and Marketing Manager, Janelle Priest says.“BioGro's internationally-trusted logo guarantees thatPlantae products have been produced to an exceptionallyhigh standard and is a guarantee that each Plantae skincareproduct contains pure, authentic, certified ingredients andhas met the highest organic standard in New Zealandthroughout the entire production process. We also have areal commitment to sourcing our key active ingredientsfrom local producers.”Each Plantae product has a minimum of 95% organicallysourced ingredients and all ingredients are 100% natural.Plantæ is available at retail outlets Bodywise , the OrganicGreen Grocer and Hardy's in Nelson and CommonsenseOrganics in Wellington.PSA relief too little too late for someSome New Zealand kiwifruit growers say that the recentlyannounced PSA relief package, though welcome, is too little,too late.The Ministry of Primary Industries declared the kiwifruitkiller bacteria Psa-V a medium-scale national biosecuritythreat and announced a recovery package to help growersand other industry workers affected by the disease.Kiwifruit Vine Health says that the total number of affectedorchards is up to 2,025.The support package focuses on such things as access tocounselling and help agencies. It includes Rural AssistancePayments (RAPs) in cases of extreme hardship - $342 perweek for an eligible childless couple, or $205 for a singleperson over 25 years old.13

BioNewsDecember 2012International News:USDA orders residue testingThe U.S. Department of Agriculture has announced a newrequirement for certifying agencies under the NationalOrganic Program (NOP).Agencies must now annually test for non-organic residuein samples from at least 5% of the organic farms andprocessors they certify.The requirement comes into effect on January 1, 2013.A USDA audit of four American certifying agents in 2010revealed that none conducted residue testing. The newrule sets minimum testing levels.The nature of the samples that will be tested is left up tothe certifying agencies.“…agencies must now test 5% oforganic farms and processorsannually for non-organic residues..”Australian organics market boomingNew data from across the Tasman shows that the organicmarket is predicted to grow at an annual rate of 15% overthe next few years to be worth more than A$2.5 billionwithin five years. It is now worth A$1.27 billion annually.The latest Australian Organic Market Report shows farmgatesales of organic products have risen by 34% since2010, and over the same period meat sector sales havesoared. Beef alone is up 111% and sheepmeat up by 64% ($19million).The report commissioned by the leading organic bodyBiological Farmers of Australia (www.BFA.com.au )incorporates research from Swinburne University, ABSstatistics and world outlook information for the first time, aswell as exclusive survey work by a specialist marketresearch group.“…Australian organic market ispredicted to grow at an annualrate of 15%..”No avocado exports to OzAustralia’s two largest supermarket chains have agreed tospurn imports in favour of domestic avocados this year."This is the first year that there's been enough avocadosproduced in Australia over a summer period andtraditionally supermarkets would bring a lot of importedavocados in from New Zealand to supply the market," saysRussell Delroy, MD of Delroy Orchards. “This is the bestseason yet for the growing sector.”"It's a rapidly growing industry and we're probably abouthalf way through our season this year and so far it's beengoing extremely well," says Russell.German organic cultivation upTurnover of organic produce in Germany rose 10% last yearaccording to a recent survey.The rise was mostly due to animal products. Dairy, eggs andvegetables went up while grain and oil seeds declined.Organic vegetables were particularly profitable in 2011. Theacreage expanded to 10%, mainly carrots, followed byasparagus and onion.A total of 22,506 farms are organic, 7.7% of total farms.Germany is the largest market for organic food withinEurope. Reasons for the continued stable growth of theGerman organic market include fear of food poisoning andscandals within the food industry.“…organic sales in Germanyrose 10% last year…”Local produce more popular than organicFor German consumers the origin of their food is now moreimportant than how it’s produced.“Regional is getting more important than organic,” saysDaniela Krehl of consumer affairs in Munich. An increasingproportion of producers are concentrating on regainingpeople’s trust. Regional suppliers of fruit and vegetableshave been on the rise, building trust by exposing the food’sorigin on the label.Some 800 German companies have joined an initiativecalled 'Bio mit Gesicht' (‘Organic with a face’) intended tobring the produce closer to home. Consumers can find outthe item’s origin by typing in a number online.Another initiative, 'Unser Land' in Bavaria, takes this a stepfurther. Their produce features pictures of the growers onthe label. It might read something along the lines of: ‘Theseeggs come from the Neumair Family in Fürstenfeldbruck-Lindach’.14

BioNewsDecember 2012USA Organic Production SurveyThe USDA 2011 Certified Organic Production Surveyhighlights US$3.5 billion in sales last year.The data shows market growth in a number of areas sincethe previous survey in 2008. Results show a total of 9,140USDA-certified organic farms in 2011.Wholesale markets are the number one marketing outletand account for 81% of sales. California leads in organicsales, accounting for close to US$1.4bn.Top states for certified operations include California, with1,898 certified farms, and Wisconsin with 870. Corn leads inorganic field crop sales at US$101.5 million, followed byalfalfa dry hay at US$69.5 million. Average sales per farmamount to US$414,726.Organic milk tops livestock commodities, accounting forUS$765 million in sales.Sustainability shortcomings inAsian cosmeticsAn Asia-Pacific Sustainable Cosmetics Summit in Novemberheard that the Asian cosmetics industry needs to raise thebar for sustainability.The region is lagging in many ethical and ecological areas,such as alternatives to animal testing, ecological packaging,green formulations, as well as consumer education, OrganicMonitor reports.“…a major challenge for Westernbrands in Asia is low consumerunderstanding of green issues…”A major challenge for Western natural & organic brands inAsia is low consumer understanding of green issues, andmany brands are resorting to opening concept stores so theycan engage directly with consumers. Salvatore Battaglia, cofounderand managing director of Perfect Potion, anAustralian natural brand, says the company uses the storesto educate customers about aromatherapy, naturalproducts, and green issues.International trade – rather then pressure from NGOs andconsumer groups - could force China to accept alternativesto animal testing methods. According to Nick Palmer fromCruelty-Free International, Chinese authorities will beunder pressure to change their stance when the EUimplements its ban of animal-tested ingredients andcosmetic products in 2013. Chinese companies could losetheir international competitiveness as they develop separateproduct lines for the European market.Sustainable packaging of cosmetic products is another areathe Asian cosmetics industry needs to address. Mostpackaging companies are disinterested in supplyingsustainable materials the summit was told. Availability ofgreen raw materials for cosmetic formulations is anotherissue for Asian companies. Asia has a rich abundance ofnative plants, herbs and raw materials for cosmeticingredients, however ethical sourcing is often ignored.Ethical issues pertinent to the Asian cosmetics industrywere also discussed at the summit. Papers on the use ofTraditional Chinese Medicine in cosmetics, and growingpopularity of the Halal labelling scheme underscored theinfluence of culture and religion on Asian consumerbehaviour. Although green issues are becoming important inAsia, they appear to be somewhat lower in consumers’hierarchy of needs.Double standards at EFSAIn a new report, Testbiotech lays out how the European FoodSafety Authority (EFSA) is applying differing standards whenevaluating scientific publications.Testbiotech says the criteria vary from case to case, and theassessment of studies is being influenced by preconceivedviewpoints.Recently published results of long-term experiments withgenetically modified maize (NK603) and the herbicideRoundup contained clear signs of damage to the health ofrats (Séralini et al., 2012). EFSA rejected these results,arguing that when the study was carried out scientificstandards such as those of the OECD were not adhered to.But the analysis presented by Testbiotech shows that EFSAhad accepted studies on numerous occasions in the pastthat did not comply with the scientific standards that theAuthority is now applying to the French publication.However, those were all studies in which no health riskswere established. According to Testbiotech, the evidencesuggests that the EU Authority selects findings that suittheir purposes.“The debate about scientific standards is being used todefend the position the Authority adopted in the past thatthere were no risks to health,” says Christoph Then fromTestbiotech. “The way in which EFSA evaluates scientificinvestigations seems to be governed by the one-sidedintention to dismiss all doubts about the safety of products”.15

BioNewsDecember 2012Research News:Organic better for farmers and localeconomiesThe organic dairy sector provides more economicopportunity and generates more jobs than conventionaldairies, according to a first-of-its-kind study.The report by the Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS)evaluated the economic impact of organic milk productionbased on 2008-2011 financial data from two major milkproducingUS states – Vermont and Minnesota.Vermont’s 180 organic farms contribute $76 millionannually to the state’s economy and support 1,009 jobs. InMinnesota, 114 organic farms add $78 million toMinnesota’s economy annually and have created 660 jobs.The report calculated organic dairy farms contribute 33%more to the state’s economy than conventional farms, andemploy 83% more workers. Similarly, in Minnesota,organic dairies increase the state’s economy by 11% moreand employment by 14% more than conventional dairyfarms.“…organic dairy farms contributemore to the economy thanconventional farms, and employmore workers...”“Investing in organic dairy production would pay off inmultiple ways by keeping small farm businesses afloat,promoting local economic growth, reducing farmpollution, and meeting growing consumer demand,” saysJeffrey O’Hara, agricultural economist for the Food andEnvironment Program at UCS and author of the report.“Over the past 30 years, dairy farmers either had to expanddramatically and become large industrial operations orthey went out of business”.“However, organic dairy production offers farmers anotheroption – one that is better for the environment, produces ahealthier product, and leads to greater levels of economicactivity.”Annual U.S. organic milk sales increased 12% in 2010,13% in 2011, and 5% in the first seven months of 2012.New IFOAM technology platformIFOAM is developing an international network to promoteinformation sharing between organic farming and foodsystems researchers.The Technology Innovation Platform of IFOAM (TIPI) willalso serve as a global mechanism for applying knowledgethrough farmer-driven innovation, and build researchcapacity that assists small-scale producers to “alleviatepoverty, establish food sovereignty, and meet food securityand nutritional needs through healthy, ecologically soundand socially just farming systems”.An initial meeting will be held as part of Science Day atBioFach in Nuremberg, Germany on 15 February 2013.IFOAM members are welcome to join the network.www.organic-research.orgEffects of biochar on grasslandsResearchers in Iowa are investigating how biochar affectsnatural ecosystems.When applied to crop fields, biochar - a carbon-richmaterial similar to charcoal - has many of the samebenefits as fertilizer, and also sequesters carbonunderground for long periods.However, there is little information about its effect onthings other than crops. As a fine powder, biochar caneasily blow from agricultural fields into nearby grasslands,forests or waterways.In a pilot study in a greenhouse, Stan Harpole and LoriBiederman found that biochar applications seemed toreduce prairie biodiversity, especially in below groundmicrobial communities. In a subsequent field study,Biederman established replicated plots treated with 1% or3% additions of biochar, with and without manure, andplanted a diverse mixture of tallgrass prairie species.Preliminary results over two years suggest that biochar hasa positive effect on plant and soil biodiversity, contrary tothe results from the greenhouse.However, Biederman noted that while plants thrived in the3% plots, mycorrhizae - soil fungi that have symbioticrelationships with plant roots - diminished.The jury is still out on the overall impact, she says. Theresearchers will continue collecting field data for at leastanother year.16

BioNewsDecember 2012“…Preliminary results suggest biocharhas a positive effect on plant and soilbiodiversity…”In a parallel laboratory test, Harpole discovered thatbiochar dissolved into water killed algae. He is nowdeveloping an experiment that more realistically mimicshow biochar moves through soil into waterways.“The experiment is so new that it’s too soon to tell whatwill happen,” Harpole says. “Biochar has so many differentways that it can work in the environment that you’re neversure which is going to be the important one.”In a related experiment, university researchers are appyingbiochar to cherry tomatoes on an organic vegetable farmnear Nevada. Plants growing with and without biochar,either inoculated with mycorrhizae or sterilized, are beingtracked for germination, growth and fruiting data, plantproductivity and effects on plant and soil nutrients.The researchers envision that farmers could supply futurebiofuel plants with feedstock and receive biochar inreturn, creating a cycle that would continually improve soilhealth.Organic enhances soil carbonOrganic agriculture already provides environmentalbenefits through the sequestration of atmospheric carbonin soil organic matter according to a new study publishedin the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences(PNAS).The results indicated that soil organic carbon stocks were3.5 tonnes/hectare higher in organic than in non-organicfarming systems, and that organic farming systemssequestered up to 450 kg/ha more atmospheric carbon peryear through CO2 bound into soil organic matter.Significant differences were also found in soil carbon levelsfor organic systems without off-farm manure input.The results over 14 years on average were consistent andsignificant.“Our findings show that organically managed soilsaccumulate soil organic matter, and by this bind carbondioxide from the atmosphere,” says Andreas Gattinger ofFiBL.However, the researchers note that some organic farmingsystems do not sequester atmospheric carbon at all. Theobserved differences seemed to be mainly related to mixedfarming, i.e. livestock plus crop production, which arecharacterised by organic matter recycling via manure andforage legumes in the crop rotation.www.pnas.org/cgi/doi/10.1073/pnas.1209429109“…soil organic carbon stocks were3.5 tonnes/hectare higher in organic,and organic farming systemssequester up to 450 kg/ha moreatmospheric carbon per year…”Scientists from the Research Institute of OrganicAgriculture FiBL, Switzerland analysed international dataon carbon sequestration rates from 20 field comparisonstudies that measured soil organic carbon (humus) levelsunder organic and conventional farming systems.17

BioNewsDecember 2012GM News:GE advocates back iwi stanceNorthland regional council's removal of a precautionary GEprovision from their regional policy statement isundemocratic and inappropriate, organic advocates say.GE Free Northland applauded Tai Tokerau Iwi authorities'strong opposition to genetically modified organisms lastweek and say the public wants to hold GE usersaccountable for the potential harm they cause.It says councils have a strong role in regulating geneticallymodified organisms.GE Free Northland says many submitters to the regionalcouncil's regional policy statement review have asked forsome type of a prohibitive GE policy, similar to the wordingin the 2004/14 and 2006/16 NRC Long Term CouncilCommunity Plan."We share the concerns of Tai Tokerau Iwi authorities aboutthe flawed methodology used by NRC RPS Review staff andfalse conclusions reached by the NRC Regional PolicyCommittee, as a result of the deeply flawed section 32analysis on GMOs," GE Free Northland spokesman MartyRobinson says."The NRC promised, after weakening the strongprecautionary GE policy in our 10 Year Community Plan2006/16 against the wishes of ratepayers and territorialauthorities, to include a GE provision in the Proposed RPS."The initial proposal for a precautionary GE provision in theproposed regional policy statement received support fromthe largest number of submissions from Northlanders ofany issue raised in the NRC RPS Review to date."NRC removal of the precautionary GE provision from theNRC Proposed RPS at this stage, having made a number ofassurances that this policy would be included, isundemocratic and inappropriate," Mr Robinson says.Dutch GE-FREE zone establishedAfter declaring itself GE-free in 2011, the Dutch city ofNijmegen has incorporated the GE-free status in zoningplans for an area of farmland.This zoning means that GE crops are now legally forbiddenin this quarter of the city.Other Dutch cities and provinces are interested in followingsuit.www.gmwatch.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=14486Industry tests reveal glyphosatecarcinogenicThe industry tests carried out to support the approval ofglyphosate show evidence of carcinogenicity which wasdismissed by regulators, according to a new peer-reviewedstudy.The study shows that glyphosate, the main ingredient ofRoundup, was approved on the basis of bad science thatoverlooked findings of birth defects in industry's ownstudies.Claire Robinson, co-author of the new study says thoseindustry studies, currently kept secret, may containevidence of cancer-causing effects that would lend supportto research by Prof GE Seralini showing GE maize incombination with Roundup causes cancer.http://www.omicsonline.org/2161-0525/2161-0525-S4-006.php?aid=7453www.gmwatch.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=14475MEPs unhappy with EFSA assessmentEuro MPs have decided to invite Prof Seralini and EuropeanFood Safety Authority officials to Parliament to debatefindings that GE maize approved by EFSA causes cancer.Several MEPs, including Richard Seeber, of the centre-rightEPP political group, said they were not satisfied with theEuropean Food Safety Authority assessment of the Seralinistudy.The study by Prof GE Seralini and colleagues showed thatrats that ate GM maize and tiny amounts of Roundupherbicide in their food suffered severe toxic effects,including cancerous growths.EFSA did not recognise the need for long term health riskassessments of GMOs that the Seralini study highlighted,even though the two French agencies that reviewed thestudy stated that such long term studies were missing.The MEPs say EFSA reached its conclusions too quickly andindustry had too much influence over the Authority.Mr Seeber, who is in the largest political group, said EFSArules on independence needed to be tightened and that itshould be more transparent.www.gmwatch.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1450918

BioNewsDecember 2012Inside the NZ Biological Producers & Consumers Society:Heather AtkinsonHeather Atkinson is among the pioneers of organics in New Zealand,and there are few who have traversed the realm of organics morewidely.By any measure she has a reasonable breadth of involvement andexperience to bring to her new role on the NZBPCS council.Entering organics“We took over the farm in 1984.Ian’s Dad had managed it in quitea low input way and we couldn’tsee any reason to do it anydifferently. Then we had thewhole conversation about safefood and that what you put on theland goes into animals andplants. We didn’t want to handlepoison for our own health.“So it wasn’t really a lightning strike. It was just commonsense that we would grow food without using toxins. We’rein the food production business so that was the bottomline for us. ‘If you’re going to put poisons in, you’re going toget poisons out, so let’s not do it.’“We started experimenting in the early 1980s, with somegrain crops. They seemed to be really successful. Wecouldn’t see any major issues so decided that we’d getcertified because if we were going to do it, it would be goodto have a quality assurance program around it for theconsumer. We started the conversion process in 1988, andwere certified in 1990.“It just seemed common sense really, I’m not sure whypeople struggle with it! It’s so obvious. I think people expectyou to have had a revelation or something, but to us it’sjust the obvious way to pursue food production.“…if you’re going to put poisons in,you’re going to get poisons out, solet’s not do it….”Why BioGro?“We went to BioGro because of where it had come from:its philosophy on organics. It wasn’t really an economicdecision at that stage, it was about philosophy. It was ano-brainer.BioGro were aligned to what we were thinking. It was verydear to us that we shared the same philosophy.“When we started off we had deer, and they convertedbrilliantly because they’re very low input animals. Theyhaven’t been domesticated for very long. We also had a mixof cattle and sheep and mature forestry; and were playingaround with grain crops.“Now we’ve got quite a big organic dairy supportcomponent to our business. We’ve adjusted the balance ofdiversity across the business. We’ve rationalised a bit onthe deer numbers - we’ve still got 600 or so. We run deer;dairy support; beef; sheep; a bit of cropping, which helpswith our pasture renewal; and we’ve been doing a lot ofwork building biodiversity on the farm with tree planting.This includes a sustainable firewood block for fourfamilies, 10,000 eucalyptus trees, pine forestry, and plantingover 8,000 natives in the last 6 years for shade, shelter andamenity planting. So trees have become a pretty big part ofour business as well.“We’ve been on the same property right through. We have250 hectares in the lower South Wairarapa Valley; Pirinoa tobe exact. Most people would recognize us as 15 minutessouth of Martinborough, or 10kms from the Lake FerryHotel, and its famous fish’n’chips.“We’ve got a mix of flat to rolling country; then we’ve gotsome steeper hills at the back. We’re very lucky: we can getthe tractor round most of the farm. We’ve got a veryversatile farm, with some very high quality silt loams onthe flat, a bit of clay country and a bit of steep, so we’ve gotchoices.We love it here. I guess it’s been our life’s work really, it’sbeen part of our journey.From farming to marketing“We’ve had a long track record of involvement with thedomestic organic meat market.“I guess coming out of our certification we had a productthat was beautifully certified and we didn’t have anywhere19

BioNewsDecember 2012to sell it. So we actually started off way back – I think whenwe were still in conversion – with Ricky Long, a Mastertonbasedbutcher. We were well before our time, really.“We went through a whole series of supply chains to supplyorganic beef and lamb to the New Zealand market. Itculminated in the purchase of a small processing plantwith a mail order business and we worked with lots ofdifferent meat companies and retailers. We ended up witha contract to supply into the Foodstuffs chain when wehad the processing plant.“We did our own marketing for a number of years and did alot of coordination of supply. Ian worked on it for a longtime to keep a market going 52 weeks of the year withchilled beef and lamb. It was quite a challenge.“We were involved with setting up the Farmers Market inMasterton a few years ago. We were selling there for a year,but we were actually the furthest away producer, and wepulled out after a year. It was 72kms each way, so it was ahuge commitment and made it feel like an eight-day weekfor us. You’re getting up at 5am, then by the time you’vepacked up, had some lunch, done a couple of jobs, it’s fouro’clock or so in the afternoon.“But it was actually great because it’s the most rewardingthing having an interface with your customers. It’s soencouraging it makes you get up and do it again. Thefeedback is fantastic and building a relationship is soimportant. It was a good vehicle for that.The bigger picture“I guess I know the sector quite well and I’m reallypassionate about organics and building it.“I don’t think people realise the connection between foodand health. People don’t realise the value of good food. It’scrazy, isn’t it? But now it’s turning around and people aregoing, ‘Oh my god, this is important! We’re completelydisconnected, our children don’t know were it comesfrom…’“I got involved at industry level with Wairarapa Organics.They had some funding to roll out the Organic Farm NZprogram in the Wairarapa. I was the Certification Managerat that time, and in two years we built the network fromzero to thirty two, and encompassed the Wellington andHorowhenua regions as well. That was quite an excitingtime, working with the small growers and building up quitea bit of capacity.“Then I was involved with Organics Aotearoa New Zealand,initially as their Regional Coordinator. I came in part waythrough the Organic Advisory program, so I was the centralregion coordinator for that. When that funding packagefinished I moved into a role as a Linkage Officer and thenbecame the National Organic Linkage Officer, coordinating,communicating, and collaborating with all the sectorgroups that were represented by OANZ and with industrybodies. One of the things that people will identify with isthe national roadshow to showcase the resources foralternatives to tanalised timber, called “Over theFencepost”. We did the research into alternatives andpresented the findings, and the roadshow ran throughoutNew Zealand. That was one of the last things I did in thatrole.“It was hugely successful, actually. It raised the profile ofsome choices that people who were farming under USDANOP could use. Kiwifruit growers were really seekingsolutions.“I remember our first meeting, up in the North, we wentinto this packhouse and there were about 120 people there.It was a phenomenal day.“Working for OANZ was a brilliant job actually because itwas a multi-level role. It started off with the growerconnection, and then you’d also be working at industry“…it’s the most rewarding thinghaving an interface with yourcustomers. It’s so encouraging itmakes you get up and do itagain…”20

BioNewsDecember 2012level talking to Beef and Lamb NZ, and the sheep farmers,and the DairyNZs, and Fonterra, and all those. It was anindustry liaison role as well. I gained a really goodperspective of how the industry looked at that time.“We were, at that time, also liaising with AgITO andeducational providers, and I filled a role on the BHU atLincoln, so it was a really broad brief.Back on the farm“Since then I’ve been back involved with the farm as well asbuilding a collaborative community project.“We started a Biodiversity group, and are partnered withlocal regional and district councils and DOC to developprojects in community spaces based around improvingland management practices and water quality.“We have confirmed three local initiatives to progress nextyear which is exciting.“We’re looking at ecotourism. We put a beautiful totarawhare at the top of the farm, so we might get into someaccommodation. That’s pretty much ready to go andmight be our next diversification. I’m thinking of it as aneducational role, really; trying to engage people in theconversations around sustainable land management andorganic practice at the same time.“Another thing we’ve done recently is start a researchproject that links us back to the timber project I did withOANZ. We’ve partnered with New Zealand Dryland ForestInstitute (NZDFI) who are down in Marlborough in aresearch project around growing ground-durable eucalyptsup the dry east coast, through Marlborough, Hawkes Bay,Wairarapa, and Gisborne. We’ve got a 10 thousand-treebreeding population here. That’s been quite an interestingproject.“…the organic sector has a lot tooffer conventional productionmethods...”Beyond organics“I think the organic sector has a lot to offer conventionalproduction methods. There are a lot of tools that we utilisethat could be really beneficial to conventional growers.“I think they’re missing the boat, really. I think organicproduction is very empowering, and you’re the master ofyour own destiny.“I see conventional growers as quite disenfranchised. Theyrely on a lot of external inputs to drive their businesses andas such they’re at the mercy of other people, whereas Ithink the model around organics is very much self-directedand self-managed. It relies on a lot of proactivemanagement and good decision making, and exploration ofthe relationships between all the things on the farm.“It’s a very empowering model, because you feel that you’reusing your whole skill-set. I don’t see that in conventionalagriculture.“We love what we do. I don’t see a lot of that joy in theconventional sector. I just see a whole lot of pressures,because they’re not in charge of their destiny. We clearlyaren’t in all aspects, but it’s a bigger component. Forexample, we can deal with the vast majority of our animalhealth problems by managing them. It’s not reliant on adrench or an injection or anything like that. I think that’shugely powerful.“...New Zealand farmers have gotinto a production model that scaresthe living daylights out of me…”A scary model“New Zealand farmers have got into this production modelthat scares the living daylights out of me, because I’ve seenit in America. We went for a big visit over there a few yearsago. It’s so industrial and it’s just so flawed. The farm’sabout food production. It’s not a factory.“I think that’s the other bit that some farmers haveforgotten: they’re in the food business. We’re producing thefood that drives our nation. If they actually engaged inthinking about that, they might be making differentdecisions.“But in conventional production, the process arounddecision making isn’t explored as fully as it could be. It’smore about, ‘This is what we’ve always done, so we’llalways do it.’“It’s about the model they’re using, and how they definesuccess.“The trouble is we’ve got this thing about production andprofit and productivity gains, and it’s driven by governmentpolicy. There’s a machine that makes people feel they haveto. There’s a lot of fear around not using these “tools”.People are on this treadmill to improve productivity,ignoring the true cost of their production.“But they’re starting to have to pay the true cost now, that’swhere they’re coming to grief. There’s a real fear amongstfarmers that their systems won’t stack up if they have topay the environmental cost as well, or modify their systemsso they can’t use those things.21

BioNewsDecember 2012“…There’s a real fear amongstfarmers that their systems won’tstack up if they have to pay theenvironmental cost…”Changing thinking“The way forward is about adding diversity into our systemso that we’ve got more capacity and strength and moreflexibility and less risk. It’s a much better system, I know it is.“I’ve recently become a member of the executive of theWairarapa Federated Farmers. That’s really about me tryingto influence that sector and have a voice to influence theirthinking.“I’ve also just finished the Escalator Course, run by the Agri-Women’s Development Trust. It has industry support and isgeared to build leadership and governance skills in ruralwomen so they can better contribute to decision makingand leadership in our sector. I’ve just graduated from thecourse and it’s built my skill set and confidence tocontribute at a higher level.Hopes and visions for NZBPCS“NZBPCS provides a fundamental service, but there are tworoles really: BioGro and the NZBPCS.“I think BioGro has the image of being the best, highestquality standard, and that’s something we want to holdonto.“The quality assurance role is the role that people see, andthat delivery of services is really important. It’sfundamental because it’s at the heart of the machine, it’sthe side that people see, and it’s integral to their marketingand allows producers access to markets. So we’ve got toget that right and continue to deliver good service andalways try to improve service.“Underlying that there’s also a role that we need to developaround growing the sector and education and other rolesthat go back to the core of NZBPCS.“I’d like to see us develop roles around support andeducation, building the sector, and spreading the word.That’s an area were we could lift our performance and itwould be good to address that in a proactive way.“For example, there’s so much consumers don’tunderstand. There’s quite a lot of complexity around thewhole certification process and labeling, andunderstanding what things are about.Heather and Ian Atkinson – organic from the start“Consumers should understand what the BioGro labelmeans. BioGro has a set of values that underpin it, beyondjust organic certification. We need to communicate thatbetter. It encompasses, for example, animal welfare, goodenvironmental practice, local food not imported.“It would be really good to communicate that, and buildconsumer knowledge around those issues, and the valuesthat BioGro has.“I think in that sense it’s probably quite good timing to havethese conversations because OANZ is having theseconversations as well. We’ve got to figure out as a sectorhow best to move forward. I think there’s never been abetter time for exploring those things.”“...there’s a role around growing thesector, education and other rolesthat goes back to the core ofNZBPCS…”22