Organic Certification What is it? How does it work? Tim Marshall – Deputy Chairman Organic Federation of Australia Tim Marshall – Deputy Chairman Organic Federation of Australia Organic Federation of Australia Organic Federation of Australia

World Overview 2 Tim Marshall: previous role Co-founder, first Chairperson of the first organic certification body in Australia (NASAA) First Standards and Certification Co-ordinator for IFOAM 15 years experience as an organic inspector visiting 750 organic units in Australia and 1,300 in Asia and the Pacific region Author of first Inspector’s Training Manual in Australia Co-founder, first Chairperson of the first organic certification body in Australia (NASAA) First Standards and Certification Co-ordinator for IFOAM 15 years experience as an organic inspector visiting 750 organic units in Australia and 1,300 in Asia and the Pacific region Author of first Inspector’s Training Manual in Australia

World Overview 3 Tim Marshall: current role Director: TM Organics Pty Ltd Writing: books, journal articles, websites Training: emphasis on conversion and certification Consulting: small and large clients TM Organics works in Australia, Asia and the Pacific Current focus on organic grapes and wine in Australia and cocoa, coffee, coconut and spices in PNG Director: TM Organics Pty Ltd Writing: books, journal articles, websites Training: emphasis on conversion and certification Consulting: small and large clients TM Organics works in Australia, Asia and the Pacific Current focus on organic grapes and wine in Australia and cocoa, coffee, coconut and spices in PNG

World Overview 4

5 What is Organic Production? No synthetic chemicals A holistic farming system No GMO’s Environmental sustainability/biodiversity Humane treatment of animals Social justice/fair trade consideration No synthetic chemicals A holistic farming system No GMO’s Environmental sustainability/biodiversity Humane treatment of animals Social justice/fair trade consideration

World Overview 6 What is Organic Produce? Certified organic produce has been organically grown, harvested, prepared and transported in systems that guarantee the produce is not contaminated by synthetic chemicals, fumigated or irradiated To guarantee that a product is organic it must be labeled as ‘certified organic’ with the registration number and certifying bodies (CB’s) name on it, and all handlers of the product must be certified Certified organic produce has been organically grown, harvested, prepared and transported in systems that guarantee the produce is not contaminated by synthetic chemicals, fumigated or irradiated To guarantee that a product is organic it must be labeled as ‘certified organic’ with the registration number and certifying bodies (CB’s) name on it, and all handlers of the product must be certified

World Overview 7 What is Organic Produce? CERTIFIED ORGANIC FOOD PROCESSING Certified organic processing uses natural food additives and physical methods of food preparation such as cooking, water/alcohol extractions etc Organic processing and distribution requires records that follow the complete ‘audit trail’ of all ingredients CERTIFIED ORGANIC FOOD PROCESSING Certified organic processing uses natural food additives and physical methods of food preparation such as cooking, water/alcohol extractions etc Organic processing and distribution requires records that follow the complete ‘audit trail’ of all ingredients

World Overview 8 Organic certification Over 30 years of organic certification Based on written standards Organic certification conforms to the international system of standardization that has been built up over many years and includes CODEX and the International Standards Organisation (ISO) Over 30 years of organic certification Based on written standards Organic certification conforms to the international system of standardization that has been built up over many years and includes CODEX and the International Standards Organisation (ISO)

World Overview 9 Organic Standards Documents that establish the definition and measurable parameters for certified organic production Certifiers also have an operations manual that specifies how they will apply the standards Documents that establish the definition and measurable parameters for certified organic production Certifiers also have an operations manual that specifies how they will apply the standards

World Overview 10 Organic Standards CODEX Alimentarius has produced an organic standard that is widely used by government regulators. There are National standards in many countries, based upon CODEX: examples include the EU, USA, Canada, China and Korea CODEX Alimentarius has produced an organic standard that is widely used by government regulators. There are National standards in many countries, based upon CODEX: examples include the EU, USA, Canada, China and Korea

World Overview 11 Organic Standards There are also international private standards Until recently IFOAM produced the only international private standard, and still maintains the only international private standard for food Recently private standards have arisen for cosmetics and fibre There are also international private standards Until recently IFOAM produced the only international private standard, and still maintains the only international private standard for food Recently private standards have arisen for cosmetics and fibre

World Overview 12 Organic Standards Private sector standards are more widely used in practice (at the field level) Private standards must conform to national standards Private sector standards are more widely used in practice (at the field level) Private standards must conform to national standards

World Overview 13 Organic Standards Fortunately, although there are small differences between all these standards, they are generally similar in principle and variations are generally due to the affect of local agronomic conditions (e.g. soil), climate and culture (e.g. the need to confine animals in winter in high latitudes) Fortunately, although there are small differences between all these standards, they are generally similar in principle and variations are generally due to the affect of local agronomic conditions (e.g. soil), climate and culture (e.g. the need to confine animals in winter in high latitudes)

World Overview 14 Organic Standards In this context a standard is established by consensus and approved by a recognized body, but it is voluntary A regulation is considered mandatory In this context a standard is established by consensus and approved by a recognized body, but it is voluntary A regulation is considered mandatory

World Overview 15 Organic Standards Transparency: Information including work programs, drafts, proposals and final results should be accessible to all interested parties Impartiality: Equal accessibility and opportunity for producers and processors who meet the standards Market Relevance: Respond to market and regulatory needs Transparency: Information including work programs, drafts, proposals and final results should be accessible to all interested parties Impartiality: Equal accessibility and opportunity for producers and processors who meet the standards Market Relevance: Respond to market and regulatory needs

World Overview 16 Conversion to Organic Conversion is the process of change from a non- organic (‘conventional’) to an organic system Organic Standards require a minimum ‘conversion period’ of 3 years of consecutive organic management for primary production Processors do not have a mandatory conversion period. They can begin organic production as soon as approved systems are in place Conversion is the process of change from a non- organic (‘conventional’) to an organic system Organic Standards require a minimum ‘conversion period’ of 3 years of consecutive organic management for primary production Processors do not have a mandatory conversion period. They can begin organic production as soon as approved systems are in place

World Overview 17 Certification stages PRE-CERTIFICATION 12 months Two inspections No logo use during pre-certification PRE-CERTIFICATION 12 months Two inspections No logo use during pre-certification

World Overview 18 Certification stages IN CONVERSION 24 months verified conformance with Organic Standards May use an “In Conversion” label IN CONVERSION 24 months verified conformance with Organic Standards May use an “In Conversion” label

World Overview 19 Certification stages CERTIFIED ORGANIC Minimum period of 36 consecutive months conformance with organic Standards May use a ‘Certified Organic’ label CERTIFIED ORGANIC Minimum period of 36 consecutive months conformance with organic Standards May use a ‘Certified Organic’ label

World Overview 20 Reasons for Conversion period Time for the breakdown of pesticide residues Time for the biological development of soil ecology Time for the development of a holistic farming system Time for supervision of the farming system by the certification body (CB) Protect genuine organic producers and consumers from short-term profit seekers Time for the breakdown of pesticide residues Time for the biological development of soil ecology Time for the development of a holistic farming system Time for supervision of the farming system by the certification body (CB) Protect genuine organic producers and consumers from short-term profit seekers

World Overview 21 Record keeping Records include Maps outlining land use, neighbouring land use, paddock subdivision, rotation history Records of all purchased inputs including seed, fertilizer, pesticides, stock and stock feed Records of activities including sowing, spraying, drenching, harvesting etc Records of outputs including organic and non- organic sales THE CB MAY MAKE AVAILABLE A FORMAT OR OUTLINE FOR RECORD KEEPING Records include Maps outlining land use, neighbouring land use, paddock subdivision, rotation history Records of all purchased inputs including seed, fertilizer, pesticides, stock and stock feed Records of activities including sowing, spraying, drenching, harvesting etc Records of outputs including organic and non- organic sales THE CB MAY MAKE AVAILABLE A FORMAT OR OUTLINE FOR RECORD KEEPING

World Overview 22 How does Certification work? Statutory declarations Product testing Annual inspection Independent review Contracts and fees Record keeping Unannounced inspection Sanctions Choice of certification bodies (CBs) Statutory declarations Product testing Annual inspection Independent review Contracts and fees Record keeping Unannounced inspection Sanctions Choice of certification bodies (CBs)

World Overview 24 Inspection (At least) annual visit to each property Written report of inspection Inspectors are trained and experienced in organic systems Inspectors are independent and must reveal conflicts of interest and maintain confidence (At least) annual visit to each property Written report of inspection Inspectors are trained and experienced in organic systems Inspectors are independent and must reveal conflicts of interest and maintain confidence

World Overview 28 Certification decision Independent of the inspector Made by a panel or reviewers May be appealed Results in an offer of certification (contract between CB and operator) Independent of the inspector Made by a panel or reviewers May be appealed Results in an offer of certification (contract between CB and operator)

World Overview 29 Organic Management Plan AN OMP IS A DOCUMENT THAT DESCRIBES THE FARMING SYSTEM The physical resources: area, land capability, biodiversity, capital improvements etc. The farming activities: land use, seasonal routines, land preparation, sowing, weed control, harvesting etc. The threats and pressures: pests, weeds, weather and climate, land class, neighbouring activities etc AN OMP IS A DOCUMENT THAT DESCRIBES THE FARMING SYSTEM The physical resources: area, land capability, biodiversity, capital improvements etc. The farming activities: land use, seasonal routines, land preparation, sowing, weed control, harvesting etc. The threats and pressures: pests, weeds, weather and climate, land class, neighbouring activities etc

World Overview 30 OMP continued Organic Management Plan is the basic document upon which inspection and certification is based OMP may be based upon an annual questionnaire produced by the certification body Organic Management Plan is the basic document upon which inspection and certification is based OMP may be based upon an annual questionnaire produced by the certification body

World Overview 31 Reducing cost of certification In order to reduce the cost of certification for small farmers who wish to export to the west, a system called Grower Groups has been developed For local markets, a system called participatory Guarantee Systems (PGS) has been developed In order to reduce the cost of certification for small farmers who wish to export to the west, a system called Grower Groups has been developed For local markets, a system called participatory Guarantee Systems (PGS) has been developed

Grower Groups Smallholders combine into growers groups (GG) based on geographical location and product type GG produces a local language version of the Standard Smallholders sign an agreement with the GG to conform to Standards GG conducts inspections and maintains records Western CB inspects the GG records and conducts a sample inspection of 5% of growers If there are problems, more members are inspected Smallholders combine into growers groups (GG) based on geographical location and product type GG produces a local language version of the Standard Smallholders sign an agreement with the GG to conform to Standards GG conducts inspections and maintains records Western CB inspects the GG records and conducts a sample inspection of 5% of growers If there are problems, more members are inspected

PGS PGS is also based on grower groups Members of the group inspect each other Provides the cheapest access to local markets for small producers PGS product may need to be ‘recertified’ by an accredited CB before it can enter export markets PGS is also based on grower groups Members of the group inspect each other Provides the cheapest access to local markets for small producers PGS product may need to be ‘recertified’ by an accredited CB before it can enter export markets

Certification conclusion Standards and certification are the necessary to access world markets and premium prices Certification is the basis of consumer trust and confidence National standards and regulations support organic growers and markets Small growers can access premium markets via grower groups and PGS Standards and certification are the necessary to access world markets and premium prices Certification is the basis of consumer trust and confidence National standards and regulations support organic growers and markets Small growers can access premium markets via grower groups and PGS

Conclusion Thanks for your attention Questions? Thanks for your attention Questions?