Organics industry left in limbo after committee rejects proposed bill

Australia is no closer to a national standard for organic goods despite a two-month inquiry, with a Senate committee instead recommending another “scoping study”.

Australia is no closer to a national standard for organic goods despite a two-month inquiry and 35 years of lobbying from the $2.3bn industry to bring it into line with every other OECD nation.

A Senate committee has recommended a Bill designed to lay the legislative framework for a national organic standard is not passed in its current form.

The legislation detailed the requirements needed for organic goods to be sold or imported into Australia, which includes gaining organic certification on an annual basis.

The committee’s report said more work was needed to come up with an agreed definition of “organic”.

In addition, the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry needed the legislative capacity to act as a regulator.

The Senate committee also recommended a “scoping exercise” led by DAFF on the need for domestic regulation.

National Party leader David Littleproud says the need for domestic regulation was identified long ago. Picture: NewsWire / Martin Ollman

Australian Organic Limited chief executive Jackie Brian said the report brought domestic regulation “a step closer”, and noted there were now reports from both houses of Parliament on the gaps in Australia’s regulatory framework.

But Katrina Kehoe, who owns organic food business Kehoe’s Kitchen, said she was disappointed there was no clear plan of action.

“We are the last country in the OECD to do this and it was raised in the 1990s,” Ms Kehoe said. “It’s been 35 years of talking.”

Nationals party leader David Littleproud said it was clear domestic regulation was currently insufficient.

“The need for domestic regulation has already been identified and recommended by the Standing Committee on Agriculture’s inquiry. The Coalition remains committed to a domestic organic regulatory framework in Australia,” he said.