The Federal Government has said it is open to working with the country’s organic industry over the long-controversial issue of labelling, a move dubbed “a landmark shift” by industry body Australian Organic Limited (AOL).
AOL says the current market lacks a system to define a product’s use of the term organic, something which it says “has long undermined industry integrity and consumer confidence”.
“Australia’s certified organic operators have been left to compete in a domestic market where the term ‘organic’ can too easily be claimed,” AOL CEO, Jackie Brian, said.
“Our industry has called for opportunities to reform the current system to build consumer confidence, reward businesses doing the right thing, and enable our industry to realise its full value, both here in Australia and overseas.”
AOL added that stakeholders must now focus on identifying a “practical and credible model” to support the country’s organic businesses in the long term.
“What matters now is that government, industry and other stakeholders work through this process properly and deliver a model that is practical, proportionate and fit for purpose,” Brian said.
