Having recently received an electronic copy of our bi monthly Bio News, I felt the need to share with you this article from Chris Morrison ex Phoenix Organics and current Chair person of Bio Gro. The issue of certified versus non certified organic products is a constant headache for us as growers. We are constantly competing with non certified products. Please remember certified organic is a guarantee, where as you have no idea what the non certified organic producer has used to get their product to market e.g. using Round Up, or growing vegetables on ground that still has chemical residues.

BioGro Council Chair, Chris Morrison
The biggest and most relevant news in the media over the past couple of months has been swine flu or N1H1. There has been a lot of discussion about its cause and effect. What is the organic perspective on this?
One suggestion is that the root of the problem lies with the constant demand for cheaper food and in particular meat.
Having animals in crowded and unsanitary conditions may cost producers less but these practices are cruel, extremely unhealthy and lead to a perfect environment for the spread of disease – none of which are condoned by BioGro. The effect of swine flu on some people has been fatal, and for others threatening.
What now? The ultimate outcome would be for our government and others to make significant changes to the health and safety requirements
of non-organic producers in the food industry.
This is no small feat and will not happen overnight but in the meantime, the recent public awareness of non-organic meat production practices can only have a positive effect on the organic sector.
As more consumers stop to consider the actual cost (and risks) of buying cheap meat and insist on increased traceability, demand for organically grown and processed meat will inevitably rise – making for a healthier society, a more sustainable environment and many more profitable organic producers.
BioGro certified products offer consumers a guarantee of healthy and safe food. To this end, we will continue promoting BioGro certification and organics, in New Zealand and around the world.
On another note, certified organic producers, not to mention consumers, are challenged by the selling of produce that is NOT certified organic and that which IS certified organic, in the same market.
Recently I heard of a grower who grew a crop of BioGro-certified broccoli. This was a good idea as there is often a shortage of certified organic broccoli. But when the certified broccoli was taken to market, some retailers decided to buy the cheaper ‘non certified’ broccoli rather than the ‘certified organic’ option. I have no issue with a retailer choosing a cheaper option if they are choosing between
two or more certified organic products but unfortunately this is not always the case. I strongly believe that when possible, consumers should always be presented with the ‘certified organic’ option, and that it should certainly be the preferred option for health food stores or buyers in similar environments. I also believe that organic produce should ONLY be referred to as ‘organic’ if it is in fact ‘certified organic’. Currently the law in New Zealand is fairly vague on this issue.
Some supermarkets are driving more organic growers to get certified – a reflection of their policy to only accept fully-certified products in future.
Chris Morrison

www.bio-gro.co.nz a great website to keep you up to date with all the latest information in the organic industry.