Government accounces new advisory group to bolster organics industry

An Organics Industry Advisory Group representing producers, manufacturers, exporters, importers and retailers will be established to ensure Australia’s regulatory framework is fit-for-purpose going forward.

Minister for Agriculture, Drought and Emergency Management, David Littleproud said that the Federal Government remains responsive to the needs of industry and will investigate the potential to improve current regulations to facilitate industry development.

“Australia’s organics industry contributes around AUD$2.6 billion to the Australian economy each year and is projected to grow strongly over the next five years, with revenue forecast to increase at an annualised rate of 15.1 per cent through to 2024-25,” Minister Littleproud said.

“With a huge amount of organic agricultural land, Australia is well placed to take advantage of the global organic market, which is already worth over USD$97 billion. This is only set to grow due to rising consumer demand,” he said.

The minister continued that improving the regulatory framework should be focused on growing Australia’s organic industry, improving market access with other countries, especially Australia’s major trading partners, and reducing the need for multiple accreditations from different countries – reducing regulatory burden and saving money.

He said that is why he has asked his department to establish an Organics Industry Advisory Group to look at ways the regulatory system can support domestic and export producers.

“The group’s members have a broad range of skills and expertise from across the organic supply chain,” he revelead.

Source: Minister for Agriculture, Drought and Emergency Management media release