- 1.0 Purpose of this position paper
- 2.0 Background
- 3.0 Desired Outcomes
- 4.0 Description of organic agriculture
PART I - INTRODUCTION
1.0 - Purpose of this position paper
- To clarify how organic farming can help to fulfil the aims of increasing the sustainability of NZ agriculture and of improving returns and export opportunities for producers;
- To identify the constraints on development of organic farming;
- To state MAF's position in regard to organic agriculture in order to inform MAF staff, the rest of government, other institutions and the farming community; and
- To outline the activities MAF will pursue or encourage other bodies to pursue in relation to organic farming.
2.0 - Background
Government has recently released a paper on " Sustainable Agriculture which is the result of a discussion paper published in 1991, submissions received, and discussions with interested parties.
A public discussion paper "A Proposed Policy on Organic Agriculture" (MAF Policy Paper 111) was released in September 1991. "A Summary of Submissions" was prepared from the 81 submissions received and published in April 1992. Executive summaries from these two papers are included in Appendix I and II. The submissions, together with information obtained from further consultation with other government departments, marketing institutions, and the organics industry, were used in preparing this document. A summary of the current extent of organic agriculture in New Zealand is provided in Appendix III.
3.0 - Desired Outcomes
All MAF's policies must contribute to the outcomes negotiated with the Minister of Agriculture and stated in the MAF Corporate Contract 1993-94. These outcomes include:
- benefit to all New Zealanders from the resource base for agriculture being used in the most productive and sustainable way;
- market access for New Zealand agricultural products maintained and improved;
- increased export earnings from quality, innovative and diverse agricultural products and services; and
- New Zealand agricultural food products to be wholesome and safe to eat.
The requirement for the use of resources in the most sustainable way is consistent with Government's objective of sustainable management of resources. This objectives is expressed in the Resource Management Act and in MAF Policy Position Paper 1 on Sustainable Agriculture.
MAF regards organic agriculture as one way of moving towards the goal of sustainability. More sustainable agriculture will not only help to ensure that resources are recycled and maintained for the use of future generations but also help to maintain overseas market access as consumers increasingly demand that food be produced in an environmentally sustainable system. Organic products can contribute to increased export and domestic market earnings by supplying a particular market niche with product perceived as high quality by environmentally aware consumers. Organic products provide a recognisable alternative for those consumers seeking food with little or no chemical residues.
Biodynamic and organic farming methods have evolved over many years through particular philosophical approaches to farming. In the last decade a growing number of farmers around the world, including a small number of New Zealand farmers, have adopted these methods for a variety of philosophical and pragmatic reasons. These reasons generally include a concern about the environmental sustainability of farming and a desire to work with natural processes. MAF recognises that these systems of farming can contribute to the outcomes listed above and has therefore developed this policy of encouragement and support for organic farming.
4.0 - Description of organic agriculture
Organic farming, which includes the terms biodynamic, ecological and biological, is an approach to farming that seeks to create an integrated, sustainable and humane agricultural system. Organic farming relies primarily on locally or farm derived renewable resources and the management of biological processes for crop, livestock and human nutrition and for protection from pests and diseases. The same principles apply to organic horticulture and aquaculture
[ The Aquaculture Federation was consulted when this definition was developed for the Commerce Commission, but organic aquaculture is not considered further in this paper.] .
Throughout this paper, the terms "agriculture" and "farming" are used interchangeably and include horticulture; the term "organic" includes "biodynamic". Biodynamic agriculture, which is included in the definition of organic agriculture, is a unique system of agricultural practices based principally on the work of Rudolph Steiner and subsequent developments. The efficacy of some biodynamic practices has not been scientifically verified.
Contact for Enquiries
Kay Brown
Sector Performance Policy
MAF Policy
Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry
PO Box 2526
Wellington
NEW ZEALAND
Phone: +64 4 894 0695
Fax: +64 4 4 894 0746
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