Jeffrey Smith, international best selling author, will be launching the Australian edition of Genetic Roulette – the Documented Health Risks of GE foods during November at public forums across Australia. Jeffrey has worked with over thirty scientists for the past two years to document the known proven health risks of GE foods. 

He has counselled world leaders from every continent about the health risks of GMOs and has influenced the first state laws regulating GMO's in the US. 

Why now? State governments are currently poised to decide whether or not Australia goes down the GE path. Now is the time to find out exactly what you need to know about GE foods that others won't tell you. 

Genetic Roulette will be for sale at the forums at the special price of $25, CASH ONLY (rrp $28.95). The book may also be purchased via the BFA website, BFA members receive a 20% discount.

See click here to download the flyer or  visit www.gefreeaustralia.org. 

Guest speakers include:
Perth:
Public debate including: Dr Ian Edwards, Julie Newman, Dr Judy Carmen, Dr David Topping, Bill Crabtree 
Adelaide: 
Dr Judy Carmen, Director Health and Environment Institute of Research 
Hobart:
Tony Scherer, Farmer, Managing Director Frogmore Winery
Melbourne:
Bob Phelps, Director Gene Ethics
Sydney:
Dr Robert Warlow, Clinical Immunologist, Allergist, Immunopathologist, Medical Researcher, owner Peasants Feast – Sydney's only organic dinner restaurant 

Nuffield Australia's recent awards dinner for 2007 marked a new high for the program, with a total number of 16 scholarships awarded. This includes 4 new scholarships encompassing the grain, aquaculture, fruit and horticulture industries. Of the 16 2007 scholars, 2 will be devoting their studies to organic agriculture:

Apple and Pear Australia and Horticulture Australia Ltd Scholarship:
Jason Jarvis, from Donnybrook, WA, receives the 2007 scholarship supported by Apple and Pear Australia and Horticulture Australia Ltd. 

In partnership with his parents, the third-generation farmer who is current chair of the WA Apple and Pear Council, manages an apple orchard, contract fruit packing operation, beef cattle breeding unit, and a pony stud and rading stables.

The family constantly works to improve the property's soil health and the nutritional quality of produce.

The aim of the study will be how to "maintain and improve quality and yield during the conversion to organic certification for fruit production."

AWB Landmark Scholarship:
Graham Finlayson from Brewarrina, NSW receives the 2007 scholarship supported by AWB Landmark.

Graham was born and bred in the semi-arid rangelands of the western division and now owns with his wife Cathy a certified organic livestock enterprise north of Brewarrina.

His passion is improving grazing management practices in the rangelands. It is through his focus on health of the landscape as well as diversifying into complementary enterprises such as tourism which has enabled the Finlaysons to survive seven years of drought.

Graham's study will be "natural resource management – specifically, the use of livestock in improving the diversity, health and regeneration of the semi-arid rangelands of Australia."

For further information visit http://www.nuffield.com.au/buletins/2007/2007%20Spring%20Nuffield%20News.pdf

The recent announcement by the UK’s Soil Association’s (SA) Standards Board for proposed changes to ban the air freight of organic produce under its standards, is a bold step by the UK’s leading certifier, towards organic food production taking greater responsibility in curbing climate change. The group’s focus on air freight is part of its broader ongoing work to assess and reduce the life cycle impact on the climate of all organic farming and food. (1)

At the same time the group recognises the negative effect this may have on the development of organic markets in low or lower-middle income countries currently responsible for 80% of air freighted organic produce to the UK. Air freighted goods will therefore be accepted under SA standards if they meet the SA’s own Ethical Trade standards or the Fairtrade Foundation’s standards. Meanwhile SA licensees are required to develop plans for reducing any remaining dependence on air freight.

The details of the proposal will be open to further consultation during 2008, and will begin to take effect from January 2009.

Although less than 1% of the total UK food miles, air freight is responsible for 11% of the CO2 emissions from UK food transport and can generate 177 times more greenhouse gas than shipping.

Anna Bradley, chair of the SA’s Standards Board said:
"It is neither sustainable nor responsible to encourage poorer farmers to be reliant on air freight, but we recognise that building alternative markets that offer the same social and economic benefits as organic exports will take time. Therefore, the Soil Association will be doing all it can to encourage farmers in developing countries to create and build organic markets that do not depend on air freight. 

"We also want the public to have clear and meaningful information about both the environmental and social impact of air freighted organic food. That’s why The Soil Association is working with the Carbon Trust and the British Standards Institute to arrive at a reliable and comprehensive system of assessing the full carbon footprint of all food. The Standards Board will consider implementing carbon labelling within our standards for all organic goods - not just air freighted produce - when a good scheme is available."

BFA’s Standard’s Chair Dr Andrew Monk comments that the SA debate about the issue of “food miles” should be of key interest to Australian producers and consumers.

“The BFA’s Australian Organic Standard (AOS) is the main document, via ACO certification, used by those exporting to the UK and other countries. (2)

“Organic requirements under the AOS are aimed at reducing the overall environmental footprint - be that from transport, packaging or other production methods.”

Similar to SA Standards Dr Monk says “the AOS covers both organic and fair trade requirements, along with other environmental requirements to maintain organic certification, for operations in Australia and within the broader region, for example, coffee production in PNG." 

Dr Monk says that in setting Australian standards the BFA has the challenge of ensuring ongoing access to markets for ACO clients, while ensuring practical requirements are maintained.

He says that while the drought has curbed Australian organic exports, the demand continues to grow for organic products, particularly into the EU and US, and Australia remains in an optimal position for supplying these markets being known for both its high quality organic foods and stringent organic regulatory regime.

References:
(1) see the Soil Association press release with references available at http://www.soilassociation.org/web/sa/saweb.nsf/printable_library/NT000275FA  

(2) for a free download of the AOS, including fair trade requirements (section 7) and other requirements for organic production and marketing, see www.bfa.com.au.  

A newly published scientific study shows that the incidence of eczema in infants fed on organic dairy products, and whose mothers also consumed organic dairy products, is 36% lower than in children who consume conventional dairy products. [1] [2]

Whilst there is a significant body of evidence showing that organic food contains higher levels of beneficial nutrients than non-organic foods [3], this is the first example of a definite health impact (i.e. isolated from other potential beneficial factors) of organic food consumption being published in a peer reviewed journal. 

Whilst the study confirms it is organic dairy consumption that protects against the development of eczema, the scientists could only hypothesise as to the mechanism which delivered this protection. Their hypothesis follows the established facts of increased levels of the beneficial conjugated linoleic acid isomers (CLA) [4] found in milk from organically managed cows. A separate recent study [5] confirms that higher levels of conjugated linoleic acids are not only found in cows’ milk but also in the breast milk of women consuming organic milk. This therefore underpins the hypothesis that the higher levels of CLAs in the breast milk of organic milk drinking mothers are a key mechanism in reducing eczema, as well as the organic dairy diet of the infants themselves.

Shane Heaton, nutritionist for the Biological Farmers of Australia said: 
“Given the strong evidence that organic has more beneficial nutrients, and the absence of harmful additives, common sense suggests that organic food is better for your health. It's good to see this starting to be confirmed by scientific research. These studies add to the body of evidence showing that organic food isn’t a luxury – it’s how food’s supposed to be."

Professor Carlo Leifert, at Newcastle University, leader of the EU's 80m euro Quality Low Input Food (QLIF) project, said: 
"The Louis Bolk Institute together with medical schools in the Netherlands and the UK has published data which show that the composition differences between organic and conventional milk (as shown by the results from the QLIF project and other published studies) translate into higher levels of CLA in human breast milk and lower incidence eczema in infants. This is the first example of a definite health impact of organic food consumption being published in a peer reviewed journal."

To view the full press release and references click here or visit www.soilassociation.org, click on Information centre, Library, Press Releases 2007.

A last yet essential read to complete your organic advantage -
An out-of-towner drove his car into a ditch in a desolated area. Luckily, a local farmer came to help with his big strong horse named Buddy.

He hitched Buddy up to the car and yelled, "Pull, Nellie, pull." Buddy didn't move.

Then the farmer hollered, "Pull, Buster, pull." Buddy didn't respond.

Once more the farmer commanded, "Pull, Jennie, pull." Nothing.

Then the farmer nonchalantly said, "Pull, Buddy, pull." And the horse easily dragged the car out of the ditch.

The motorist was most appreciative and curious. He asked the farmer why he called his horse by the wrong name three times.

The farmer said, "Oh, Buddy is blind, and if he thought he was the only one pulling, he wouldn't even try!" 

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Your Organic Advantage
Editor: Holly Vyner

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