To overcome the concern that has existed for many years over misrepresentation of produce as organic or biodynamic on the domestic market, a new Australian Standard is being developed.

Standards Australia agreed to develop a code after a request from Australia’s organic industry peak body, the Organic Federation of Australia.

The concept of an organic standard for Australia is not new. Since 1992, enforceable national standards for exported organic products have detailed minimum requirements for production, processing and labelling.

The Australian Quarantine Inspection Service (AQIS) administers the national standard and associated Export Control Orders.

Anecdotal evidence suggests the national standard for exports has become the standard for the domestic market where AQIS does not have legal jurisdiction over failure to comply; nor does it cover organic products imported into Australia.

This limits options for ensuring the integrity of organic products in the domestic market.

Moreover, the Trade Practices Act, 1974 and State and Territory food laws provide truth in labelling requirements but lack of enforcement by Federal or State agencies against apparent non-compliance have robbed the organic industry of evidence to convince governments to develop a legislative framework for organic products sold domestically.

The NSW Organic Ministerial Advisory Council (OMAC) will provide advice on mechanisms which can improve the integrity and security of organic food entering the marketplace and increasing consumer confidence in these products, its chairman, Terry Healey, said.

Mr. Healey believes a clearly defined domestic standard will give consumers an unambiguous understanding of what ‘organic’ means and the industry must lead the way in educating consumers to its benefits.

Increasingly sophisticated choices of food require the industry to adopt the idealism of a better lifestyle, higher standards of food intake, questioning the origins of each article put in front of consumers, according to Mr Healey.

The current national organic export standard is being considered as a basis for the development of the Australian Standard.

While Standards Australia will develop the new Australian Standard, it will not be involved in the certification of growers or retailers claiming to meet it, nor can the Standard mandate certification.

This is a key concern of industry and in parallel to Standards development, the Standards Australia technical committee is investigating potential regulatory frameworks which could achieve these objectives.

The Standard is expected to be finalised in 2008, following a comprehensive review and community consultation process.