IFOAM News
- Call for Submission of background information for a dossier on the contribution of Organic Agriculture to the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs)
- Register for the 1st IFOAM International Conference on Animals in Organic Production
- Call for Papers for the 1st IFOAM International Conference on Organic Certification
- Discussion Forums on the IFOAM Intranet
- Up-to-date Information on the Revision of the EU Regulation?
- Call for Nominations for one position on the Standards Committee – Animal Husbandry and Standards Setting Expertise
- IFOAM calls for the nomination for Contact Points in Sub-Saharan Africa
- Training Courses on Evaluation of Organic Certification Bodies
- Polish Parliament Bans Use of GMOs in Animal Fodder
- Affiliate Fee Reminder
- Membership benefits on the IFOAM Intranet
- IFOAM Calendar of Events
-
IOIA Scholarships Available for Organic Inspector Training
-
Orwine – Organic Wine Regulation: Organic Wine Producer Survey
-
Preannouncement of Joint Call: Transnational Research Program in Organic Food and Farming
-
Bugday of Turkey organizes a 100% ecological market
-
I Encuentro Latino Americano y del Caribe de Productoras, Productoers e Investigadores en Agricultura Organica
-
IFAT - the global network of fair trade organizations - to hold regional conference in Paris
1. Reminder: Call for Submission of background information for a dossier on the contribution of Organic Agriculture to the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs)
Background:The MDGs were declared by the UN in 2000. Concrete targets were set, e.g. “Ensure environmental sustainability”. The potential contribution Organic Agriculture can make to reach the MDGs, are not yet known well enough. Agriculture will be on the UN Commission on Sustainable Development agenda in 2007/8. The eight MDGs are listed below.
The UN Millennium Development Goals:
- Eradicate extreme poverty and hunger
- Achieve universal primary education
- Promote gender equality and empower women
- Reduce child mortality
- Improve maternal health
- Combat HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases
- Ensure environmental sustainability
- Develop a global partnership for development
IFOAM’s Objective:
Organic Agriculture can make a distinct impact on reaching the MDGs. However, the potential contributions it can make are not yet concretely known. It is in the organic movement’s best interest
that these contributions be recognized and advocated for. IFOAM therefore has commissioned a dossier wherein clearly organic agriculture’s contribution in reaching the MDGs will be outlined and
illustrated.
Call for Submissions
Within membership a lot of (background) information related to the MDGs is available. We are therefore inviting you to submit any related information you have developed or know about in this
context. We encourage you to circulate this request to your members and affiliates as well. Our intention is to compile this information and to utilize it in the development of our
dossier.????
A deadline of August 4th is set for receiving submissions from our members and internal bodies. Please forward all submissions by email to Rachel Horwat at r.horwat@ifoam.org or by mail or fax.
We very much appreciate your participation in this endeavor!
Please note that all materials submitted will be kept by IFOAM and may be used for future advocacy initiatives.???
Mailing Address:
IFOAM Head Office
Charles-de-Gaulle-Str. 5
53113 Bonn
Germany
Fax:??? +49-228-92650-99
2. Register for the 1st IFOAM International Conference on Animals in Organic Production: August 15 Registration Deadline
University of Minnesota Continuing Education and Conference Center, St. Paul, MN, USA
August 23rd- 25th 2006
Leading organic livestock researchers and producers from throughout the world will share state-of-science research findings and production information during the three-day event.
?
Complete information about the conference, including on-line registration, can be found at:
http://www.ifoam.org/events/ifoam_conferences/IFOAM_Animal_Production_Conference.html
The conference will begin on August 23 with tours of organic livestock farms in the Twin Cities area, including lunch and a tour of the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum. http://www.arboretum.umn.edu/
During the evening of August 23, opening remarks will be delivered by Minnesota’s Commissioner of Agriculture, Gene Hugoson, and the UMN’s Dean of Extension, Bev Durgan. The opening keynote will be
given by Dr. Fred Kirschenmann of Iowa State University’s Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture. Dr. Kirschenmann will discuss, “Animals in an Organic System – Exploring the Ecological,
Social, and Economic Functions of Animals in Organic Agriculture.”
Dr. Mette Vaarst, DVM, of the Danish Institute of Agricultural Sciences, will speak on “Sustaining Animal Health and Food Safety Through Organic Methods” during the morning keynote on August 24.
Dr. Vaarst’s keynote address will be followed by workshops on organic poultry, dairy, sheep, hogs, and beef, as well as organic livestock standards. Groundbreaking research will be presented on
differences between antibiotic-resistant bacteria on organic vs conventional livestock farms.
Noted author, researcher, and acclaimed speaker Dr. Temple Grandin will present the evening keynote, which will be held in the North Star Ballroom of the UMN Student Center. Dr. Grandin, an
autistic woman who has developed humane livestock handling systems used worldwide, will present “Animals in Translation,” which explores how animals see the world.
The evening of August 24 will conclude with a dance party in the North Star Ballroom, with music provided by The Pheromones!
Dr. David Wallinga, MD, from the Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy, will give the morning keynote on August 25. Dr. Wallinga will discuss “Antibiotic Resistance and the Organic
Alternative.” There will be workshops on humane treatment, biosecurity, animal health, market access, milk quality, and food safety.
The closing keynote will be given by Jim Riddle, the UMN’s Coordinator for Organic Agriculture Outreach, who will discuss “Fostering Organic Livestock Research – Priorities and Preferences.” The
program will conclude with reports from session moderators on key findings of the conference, along with a conference resolution, presented by Angela Caudle, IFOAM’s Executive Director.
Sponsors for the conference include Organic Valley, Newman’s Own Organics, Northland Organic Foods, Stonyfield Farm, Indian Herbs, Horizon Organic, FiBL – Research Institute of Organic Agriculture,
MOSES – Midwest Organic and Sustainable Education Services, Organic Choice, OTA – Organic Trade Association, Aurora Organic Dairy, the Minnesota Department of Agriculture, Crystal Creek, Sun Opta
and the University of Minnesota.
Delicious local organic food will be served throughout the conference, with donations from Gardens of Eagan, Organic Valley, Stonyfield Farm, Nancy’s Organic Yogurt, The Wedge, French Meadow
Bakery, Coop Partners Warehouse,? Cornercopia, and the UMN’s Student Organic Farm on the St. Paul campus, and wine will be donated by Frey Vineyards.
Conference Registration
Registration Fees
200 Euros ($240) for IFOAM affiliates or 250 Euro ($300) for non-members
Online conference registration is available on the IFOAM website. A conference registration brochure is also available, and can be faxed to the IFOAM Head Office.
If you are planning on attending the conference, please register well in advance, as this helps IFOAM to plan catering services and make other arrangements. Please check the United States Visa Requirements for your country.
For questions about registration, please contact Elvin Tan at e.tan@ifoam.org
Further Information
For further information about the conference contact Neil Sorensen,? Communications and Events Manager, at n.sorensen@ifoam.org
Program Coordinator
Jim Riddle
Coordinator for Organic Outreach
University of Minnesota
31762 Wiscoy Ridge Road
Winona, MN 55987
Ph/fax: 507-454-8310
Cell: 507-429-7959
Email: jriddle@hbci.com
3. Call for Papers for the 1st IFOAM International Conference on Organic Certification
IFOAM is organizing a conference on Organic Certification to be held 15-17 November 2006 in Rome, Italy.Part of the agenda and speakers have been invited to present an oral paper. In order to receive different ideas and approaches IFOAM is calling for papers on the following three topics:
- ??? Certification services in Developing Countries
- Papers should address the experiences and challenges of building up certification and inspection in developing countries.
- ??? Innovations for Certification Efficiency
- Papers should describe the use of technology and other innovative tools to improve the efficient of inspection and certification.
- ??? Stakeholder Expectations of Organic Certification
- Papers should cover the expectations of key stakeholder groups, especially consumers and producers, of the value that should be? delivered by organic certification.
The abstract needs to be submitted by September 1st 2006.
The complete paper must be submitted by 1st of November 2006.
Send abstracts and papers to the attention of the IFOAM Head Office. Please contact Gabriele Holtmann, g.holtmann@ifoam.org.
4. Discussion Forums on the IFOAM Intranet
In order to encourage discussions on specific thematic areas, IFOAM has set up some discussion forums on its internet and intranet. The forums are based on wiki, and are very simple to use. A wiki
(originally called Quickweb) is an editable website that does not require users to know HTML. It does not require registration. The ease of interaction and operation makes a wiki an effective tool
for collaborative writing.
On the IFOAM intranet we have a forum each on Aquaculture and Seed and Plant breeding. They can be found at:
http://www.ifoam.org/forum/index.php
The intranet is accessible only to members, and requires logging in using your user name and password.
On the IFOAM internet, a forum on Africa Organic Service Center (AOSC) and another one on the Organic Standards in East Africa Project will be launched soon. These forums will be accessible to the
public.
IFOAM encourages you to actively participate in the forums of your interest. Your feedback and suggestions for new forums are welcome. IFOAM will set up a forum if there is considerable interest,
and if it fulfills its mission and goal.
5. Up-to-date Information on the Revision of the EU Regulation?
Visit the IFOAM website for the most comprehensive information on the revision of the EU regulation for organic farming!
www.ifoam.org/about_ifoam/around_world/eu_group/Revision_info_page.html
6. Call for Nominations for one position on the Standards Committee – Animal Husbandry and Standards Setting Expertise
Complete Call for Nominations to the Standards Committee
Terms of Reference
Submit nomination documents to D.Bowen@ifoam.org. The deadline for nominations is? September 1st, 2006.
7. IFOAM calls for the nomination for Contact Points in Sub-Saharan Africa
IFOAM plans to establish contact points across the African continent (Sub-Saharan Africa only), to help strengthening information flow between IFOAM and the national or regional organic movements
and vice-et-versa. IFOAM is now looking for organizations willing to host Contact Points in Sub-Saharan Africa. For more information, please read the Call for nominationsand download the application form. The deadline for applications is the 7th of August 2006.
For complete information about IFOAM vacancies visit:
http://www.ifoam.org/about_ifoam/inside_ifoam/jobs.html
8. Training Courses on Evaluation of Organic Certification Bodies
The International Organic Accreditation Service (IOAS) announces that its second set of 3½-day courses on the evaluation of organic certification bodies will take place on November 20-23, 2006 at the Research Institute of Organic Agriculture (FiBL), Frick, Switzerland and from December 20-23, 2006 in Bangkok, Thailand.Course objectives
Participants will gain an understanding of the operation of inspection and certification bodies involved in organic agriculture and the regulatory environment in which they work and learn and practice the approaches and skills required to perform physical and desk audits of their operation against and in line with international Norms.
The courses are specifically aimed at:
- Auditors from government authorities, related agencies and national accreditors
- Administrators in import countries handling import approvals
- Administrators in export countries
- Managers and policy makers
- Certification body quality managers and auditors
Subject coverage
- Organic agriculture and its regulatory environment
- Conformity assessment
- Organic Norms - IFOAM, Codex Guidelines and national requirements
- Certification Body requirements - ISO65 and national requirements
- Organic Certification Body requirements - IFOAM requirements
- Document review
- Office audits
- Field audits
- Special situations in organic agriculture
- Risk, integrity and fraud
- Teaching techniques
The courses will be targeted to a mixed group of participants bringing their own experience from a wide range of environments. Places are limited and will be confirmed on a first come-first served basis. Individuals interested in such a course should contact: Dr David Crucefix, Assistant Executive Director at crucefix@ioas.org
9. Polish Parliament Bans Use of GMOs in Animal Fodder
After passing an act banning the import and trade of GM seeds in May of this year, the Polish Senate and Sejm (upper and lower houses of parliament) passed an additional act concerning animal
fodder. The act, passed on July 22 2006, "bans the production, the putting into circulation and the use of genetically modified fodder and genetically modified organisms destined for fodder
use in animal feeding." The ban will be in force within 24 months.
The significance of this Polish initiative is bound to have repercussions across Europe, and it remains to be seen what the European Commission will make of such resistance.? Whatever results, it
translates into another success in the battle for a GMO Free Europe.
For further information, visit the International Coalition to Protect the Polish Countryside’s (ICPPC) website:
http://icppc.pl/pl/gmo/eng_index.php
10. Affiliate Fee Reminder
IFOAM is a democratic not-for-profit organization, and appreciates your timely payment of fees to ensure our continued ability to implement our mission and goals.
If you have not yet paid your affiliate fees for 2006, please send it as soon as possible.
If you need assistance to determine your payment requirements or cannot find your invoice, please contact Gabriele Holtmann, Member Relations Coordinator (g.holtmann@ifoam.org), at your earliest possible convenience.
11. Membership benefits on the IFOAM Intranet
IFOAM is proud to offer various benefits to its affiliates. There are quite a number of tangible benefits either in the form of information or publications provided directly to you, advertisement
opportunities exclusively for affiliates or price discounts on conferences and events, IFOAM publications and services offered by partners.
To learn more about and take advantage of the diverse benefits available to you, visit:
http://www.ifoam.org/intranet/about_ifoam/membership/index.php
If you have any difficulties accessing the Intranet, contact intranet@ifoam.org
12. Calendar of Events
The 1st IFOAM International Conference on Animals in Organic Production
August 23-25 2006
Minnesota, United States
n.sorensen@ifoam.org
www.ifoam.org
Taiwan's 2006 International Organic Fashion and Lifestyle Exposition
August 24-27 2006
Taipei, Taiwan
josephsteyr@planet-save.com
www.lohas-city.com
BioFach Japan
September 21-23 2006
Tokyo, Japan
f.venjakob@nuernbergglobalfairs.com
www.nuernbergglobalfairs.com
BioFach America
October 5-7 2006
Baltimore, United States
f.venjakob@nuernbergglobalfairs.com
www.nuernbergglobalfairs.com
BioFach America Latina
October 25-27 2006
Sao Paolo, Brazil
f.venjakob@nuernbergglobalfairs.com
www.nuernbergglobalfairs.com
India Organic 2006
November 9-12 2006
Bangalore, India
info@iccoa.org
www.iccoa.org
The 1st IFOAM Conference on Organic Certification
November 15-17 2006
Rome, Italy
g.holtmann@ifoam.org
www.ifoam.org
Middle East Natural & Organic Product Expo 2006
December 10-12 2006
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
goutam@globallinksdubai.com
www.globallinksdubai.com
1. IOIA Scholarships Available for Organic Inspector Training
IOIA accepts applications for the annual Andrew Rutherford Scholarship Award, which provides full tuition for an IOIA-sponsored organic inspector training course during the following year.
Both prospective and experienced inspectors are eligible to apply for the Rutherford Scholarship. It is awarded to an individual on the basis of need and potential as judged by the IOIA Scholarship
Committee. Applicants can choose to attend any IOIA-sponsored training. The Scholarship pays for tuition, room and board but does not cover transportation or other expenses.
The late Andrew Rutherford was a farmer, organic inspector, and organic agriculture researcher from southern Saskatchewan. He served on IOIA’s initial steering committee and then several years as a
Founding Board Member.?
IOIA also offers the annual Organic Community Initiative Scholarship, which provides full tuition for an IOIA-sponsored basic organic inspector training during the following year. It is awarded to
an individual on the basis of need and their potential to have a positive impact on their regional organic community. The Organic Community Initiative Scholarship is only open to applicants from
outside of the US or Canada.? Applicants can choose to attend any basic IOIA-sponsored training. The Scholarship pays for tuition, room and board but does not cover transportation or other
expenses.
For application materials and information on IOIA training programs, contact Margaret Scoles, IOIA Executive Director/Training Manager, IOIA, P.O. Box 6, Broadus, MT 59317-0006, Email ioia@ioia.net, or visit www.ioia.net to download application forms. The deadline for returning Scholarship applications is October 1.
Scholarship recipients are notified by December 15.
2. Orwine – Organic Wine Regulation: Organic Wine Producer Survey
Orwine is a policy oriented research project that aims at providing a scientific background for the development of an EU legislative framework and code of best practices for organic wine production
and labeling. The current EU regulation 2092/91 does not allow proper labeling and, as a consequence, trading of organic wine.
The project is funded by the European Commission and has duration of 38 months, starting from February 2006. It is steered by a consortium of research centres (University of Udine and Catholic
University of Piacenza, Italy; University of Geisenheim, Germany; INRA Montpellier and ITV, France; FIBL, Switzerland), organic producer associations (AIAB, ITAB, Ecovin, IFOAM EU Group) and the
SME Vinidea in Italy.
To identify the current practices and bottlenecks of organic wine producers a survey is being conducted that will serve as a basis for further in-depth investigation.
If you are an organic wine producer – please do fill in the survey (see link below).
If you happen to know an organic wine producer – please forward this survey.
http://sondaggio.vinidea.net/sondaggi/sondaggio.php?id=777 in German
http://sondaggio.vinidea.net/sondaggi/sondaggio.php?id=778 in Spanish
http://sondaggio.vinidea.net/sondaggi/sondaggio.php?id=773 in Italian
http://sondaggio.vinidea.net/sondaggi/sondaggio.php?id=771 in English
More information – also about the results of the producer survey - will soon be available on: www.orwine.org
3. Preannouncement of Joint Call: Transnational Research Program in Organic Food and Farming
CORE Organic is a transnational partnership where resources within research are joined. The project is initiated as a part of the European Commissions ERA-NET Scheme, which intends to step up
cooperation between national research activities.
The aim is to enhance the quality, relevance and utilisation of resources in European research in organic food and farming through coordination and collaboration.
One of the overall objectives of CORE Organic is to enable a better utilisation of research funding by cooperation within prioritised research areas. Based on an identification of possible topics
for future research, the eleven CORE Organic partners are now in the process of preparing a joint call for a transnational research programme.
The new research programme will be financed by the individual CORE Organic partners. The partners will thus provide a budget for their respective national research teams, who participate in the
call (National funding rules will apply). The national budgets have not yet been finally settled, but the total budget is expected to be of at least three million Euros per year.
The call will be open from September 1st to December 1st 2006. The application procedure including all necessary forms will be available at the Core Organic website at www.coreorganic.org from September 1st.
4. Bugday of Turkey organizes a 100% ecological market
On June 17th 2006, organic farmers from various part of Turkey came together to form the very first organic marketplace of the country, so-called "100% Ecological Market". Bugday
Association, supporting for ecological living with diverse national and international projects, has initiated the project in partnership with Sisli municipality of Istanbul and two sponsoring
companies, Milupa Organic Baby Food and Pinar Organik Milk.
During recent years, Bugday organized many meetings and conferences where organic agriculture has been emphasized to farmers, sector companies and ministries. IFOAM joined some of the events where
certification procedures, regional standards and future expactations have been widely discussed. All these efforts, together with Bugday’s participation in the formation of the Organic Agriculture
legislation of December 2004, enabled the successful opening of "100% Ecological Market" with hopeful farmers and interested clients.
Bugday plans to develop this idea with other marketplaces in Istanbul and also other cities with higher number of organic agriculture producers. So far only 0.3% of total agriculture can be
classified among organic, however the fact that most of Turkish soils are not so badly fertilized, nor abused with pesticides allow the opportunity for a rapid grow, that may result with better
(and ecological) rural living conditions. Something we all dream to happen.
For more information contact:
Bugday Association for Supporting Ecological Living
Luleci Hendek Caddesi Nr: 120/1 Aslan Han
34425 Karakoy - Istanbul / Turkey
Phone: +90 (212) 252 52 55
Fax: +90 (212) 252 52 56
GSM: + 90 (532) 393 94 98
http://www.bugday.org/
5. I Encuentro Latino Americano y del Caribe de Productoras, Productoers e Investigadores en Agricultura Organica
26 al 29 de septiembre de 2006Managua, Nicaragua
Justificación
Conscientes que la producción orgánica ha tenido su mayor desarrollo gracias a las iniciativas de las y los productores orgánicos y a la creciente demanda de estos productos a nivel mundial, las organizaciones einstituciones convocantes al Primer Encuentro Latinoamericano y del Caribe compartimos la visión de que investigación que se realiza a nivel de centros académicos y especializados tendría mayor valor y capacidad para aportar al desarrollo socioprodutivo y tecnológico, cuando está ligada a las experiencias productivas concretas que llevan a cabo los y las productoras en sus parcelas.
Dando seguimiento a los acuerdos asumidos en el Tercer Encuentro Mesoamericano y del Caribe realizado en Chapingo, México (2005) diversas organizaciones e instituciones estamos organizando el Primer encuentro Latinoamericano y del Caribe de Productores y Productoras e Investigadores en Agricultura Orgánica.
Objetivo General
Fomentar la agricultura orgánica como medio para mejorar la calidad de vida de la sociedad en armonía con la naturaleza y compartir experiencias entre productores, productoras e investigadores de América Latina y el Caribe.
Objetivos Específicos
- Difundir los avances en la experimentación e investigación en producción, procesamiento, certificación y comercialización de productos orgánicos
- Analizar la relación entre los diferentes actores vinculados con la producción orgánica
- Destacar experiencias de mujeres productoras en el desarrollo de la agricultura orgánica
- Contribuir a la generación y fortalecimiento de redes de intercambio y cooperación.
US$ 250.00, Incluye: materiales, gira de campo, almuerzos, refrigerios, cenas, desayunos y alojamiento
US$ 120.00, Incluye: materiales, gira de campo, almuerzos y refrigerios
Feria de productos orgánicos 26 y 27 Septiembre:
Costo Stand: US$ 150.00 que incluye: almuerzos y refrigerios para 2 personas, Área del stand 6 mt2
Invitamos a productores, productoras, investigadores, comprometidos con el desarrollo de la agricultura orgánica a compartir sus experiencias prácticas y elaboraciones teóricas que sin duda contribuirán a ampliar y sostener la producción orgánica como estrategia para lograr un desarrollo sustentable para nuestras sociedades.
Así mismo, invitamos a organizaciones no gubernamentales, instituciones, programas y proyectos de América Latina y el Caribe que promueven la agricultura orgánica, a exponer sus experiencias a fin de asegurar un encuentro participativo y representativo de las más diversas experiencias de la región.
Cualquier información sobre la organización del Encuentro, ponerse en comunicación con Lucía Escobar, Edith Méndez y Maribel Rivas al teléfono (505) 263-2609 y a los correos electrónicos
eao-nicaragua2006@turbonett.com.ni
dpaf@una.edu.ni
6. IFAT - the global network of fair trade organizations - to hold regional conference in Paris
Keep the dates of 24th to 27th September 2006 available for the IFAT regional conference in Paris.The three-day conference is divided in three blocks. The first day is dedicated to the exchange of experiences and technical issues. The second day is dedicated to issues related to our common Fair Trade concept and the third day is dedicated to the building of the common IFAT office in Europe.
The conference will address:
- IFAT’s new Strategic plan 2007-2012 (discussion of draft proposal)
- Membership fee structure and policy paper
- 10th standard on trading relations between IFAT members (FTOs)
- Standards for World Shops/Fair Trade Shops
- Monitoring policy paper prepared by Eileen & Allison
- Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) between IFAT global and the Regions
Head Office Contact Information
Charles-de-Gaulle-Str. 5
53113 Bonn, Germany
Tel: +49-228-92650-10
Fax: +49-228-92650-99
Email: headoffice@ifoam.org
http://www.ifoam.org
