Volume 3, No. 1 - March 2006
IFOAM News
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Defining Organic Agriculture for the World – A Call for Submissions
- IFOAM Advocacy Leaflets Free to Use
- IFOAM and the Swiss Research Institute of Organic Agriculture (FiBL) Establish Cooperation on Dossiers and Advocacy Leaflets
- IFOAM and the IFOAM EU Group Publish Position on the Revision of the Organic Regualtion
- New Fee Schedule for IFOAM Affiliation
- IFOAM President Gerald A. Herrmann's Speeches at BioFach 2006
- The IFOAM Organic Trade Forum Organic World Cafe a Success at BioFach 2006
- 1st IFOAM Conference on Organic Wild Production - Advance Registration by March 15th
- Call for Papers and Announcement of the 1st IFOAM International Conference on Animals in Organic Production
- Submit Articles for Publication in Ecology and Farming by March 31st 2006
-
Place an advertisement in Ecology and Farming – Deadline April 15th
- Special Benefit for IFOAM Members – Discounted GMO Testing from Genetic ID
-
IFOAM Calendar of Events
1. Defining Organic Agriculture for the World – A Call for Submissions
Call open from March 3 to April 14, 2006.
After a two year consultative process, the Principles of Organic Agriculture were adopted by the General Assembly in
September 2005.
The GA also passed a motion to establish a succinct Definition of Organic Agriculture.? This definition must explain what Organic Agriculture is, reflecting its true nature and the Principles in a
concise way.
Now is the time for your input!
We are collecting definitions of Organic Agriculture to give us the full diversity of thoughts on how to define Organic Agriculture. We will combine these definitions, identify keywords, and give
them to the Task Force, appointed by the IFOAM World Board, who will then submit a first draft.?
We envision two rounds of comments.? The World Board will approve the definition and submit the Definition of Organic Agriculture to the General Assembly 2008 for ratification. Click here for more details on this process.
Submit your definition
IFOAM invites its membership to submit their definition and the definition in use by their member organizations to describe Organic Agriculture.
Please submit your definition by Friday, April 14, 2006 to IFOAM via email, fax or mail using the Submit Your Definition Form.? We encourage diversity and creativity in approach!? Send the pictures, posters,
photos, music, lyrics, poetry you use to explain the meaning of Organic Agriculture.
We also want to hear from our members’ members, please circulate this call far and wide: have a kid’s contest, staff brainstorming session, class discussion or just send us
your definition as it is!
Note that all materials submitted will be kept by IFOAM and may be used in presentations, IFOAM’s advocacy work, at the GA 2008, and/ or posted on the IFOAM website.
2. IFOAM Advocacy Leaflets Free to Use
As a new instrument for advocacy, IFOAM has developed a series of leaflets to be used in direct lobbying. These leaflets communicate the benefits of organic agriculture and related systems in a
straightforward way that is accessible to policymakers and the public in general, and clearly outline corresponding threats or counter points. Much of the information in the leaflets is based upon
IFOAM dossiers or other in-depth publications available on IFOAM’s website.
Organic Agriculture and Seed Diversity
Organic Agriculture and Food Security
Organic Agriculture and Biodiversity
Organic Agriculture and Rural Development
Organic Agriculture and Participatory Guarantee
Systems
IFOAM encourages its members to download these leaflets and use them for their own advocacy purposes.
3. IFOAM and the Swiss Research Institute of Organic Agriculture (FiBL) Establish Cooperation on Dossiers and Advocacy Leaflets
IFOAM and FiBL will work closely together to produce dossiers that include background information on specific topics of importance to the organic movement.
IFOAM will be a cooperating partner with dossiers that FiBL produces, which will enable IFOAM to derive advocacy leaflets that fit into IFOAM’s series of leaflets, providing a significant resource
to IFOAM affiliates and the public in general.
The first dossier that will be published according to this new arrangement is a dossier called The Quality and Safety of Organic Products, a 24-page paper describing the multifaceted issues that
highlight the benefits of organic agricultural systems.
IFOAM is open to developing similar arrangements with other organizations. If your organization publishes materials of an international character that address issues of major significance to the
organic movement, IFOAM may be willing to jointly publish and distribute them with you or use them as the basis for leaflets as well.
Please contact Louise Luttikholt (l.luttikholt@ifoam.org) for more information.
4. IFOAM and the IFOAM EU Group Publish Position on the Revision of the Organic Regualtion
Gerald A. Herrmann, IFOAM President, and Francis Blake, President of the IFOAM EU Group, submitted a joint letter to the Austrian Presidency of the European Commission specifically highlighting
concerns about the timeline and provisions for stakeholder involvement in the process for the revision of the organic regulation.
Joint IFOAM - IFOAM EU Group Letter to the Austrian Presidency
http://www.ifoam.org/about_ifoam/around_world/eu_group/pdfs/IFOAMEU_Revision_let_austrianpresidency_27.02.2006.pdf
Position Paper on the “Proposal for a Council Regulation on organic production and labelling of organic products”
http://www.ifoam.org/about_ifoam/around_world/eu_group/pdfs/IFOAMEU_Revision_positionpaper_27.02.2006.pdf
5. New Fee Schedule for IFOAM Affiliation
At the General Assembly in September 2005, the IFOAM General Assembly approved a new fee schedule for IFOAM affiliation.
The aim is to make IFOAM affiliation more accessible by lowering the minimum fee category to 120 Euros per year instead of 320 Euros. The maximum fee category has also been significanly lowered
from 6190 Euros to 2100 Euros per year in an effort to both attract and maintain the membership of larger organizations in the organic movement.
New Fee Scheme
Up to 60.000 Euros - 120 Euros
Up to 200.000 Euros - 320 Euros
Up to 600.000 Euros - 750 Euros
Up to 1.000.000 Euros - 1200 Euros
Up to 1.800.000 Euro - 1500 Euros
Over 1.800.000 Euro - 2100 Euros
Former Fee Scheme
Up to 120.000 Euros - 320 Euros
Up to 600.000 Euros - 630 Euros
Up to 1.800.000 Euros - 1270 Euros
Up to 3.000.000 Euros - 2160 Euros
Up to 6.000.000 Euros - 3990 Euros
Over 6.000.000 Euros - 6190 Euros
This new fee scheme enables small member organizations to contribute more easily to the organic agriculture movement.
The change in fees is based upon the experience that members and affiliates in both the highest and lowest categories were canceling their membership. Large organizations had difficulty justifying
the higher fees and small organizations couldn't pay the minimum fee.
Note from the IFOAM Membership Department
The invoice for the 2006 IFOAM Membership was sent to members and affiliates in December. Please take this opportunity to pay your 2006 membership fee. It's easier than ever before!
Pay online today!
http://shop.ifoam.org/payment/index.php?cPath=22
6. IFOAM President Gerald A. Herrmann's Speeches at BioFach 2006
IFOAM President Gerald A. Herrmann gave a keynote speech at the BioFach Symposium: Organic Trade - Reaching the Consumer with Innovative Concepts and the welcome address at the opening of BioFach
itself.
Gerald A. Herrmann's Speech at the BioFach Symposium: Organic Trade - Reaching the Consumer with Innovative Concepts
http://www.ifoam.org/events/reports/pdfs/Gerald_Herrmann_Symposium_Speech.pdf
Gerald A. Herrmann's Welcome Address at the BioFach Opening
http://www.ifoam.org/events/reports/pdfs/BioFach_2006_Opening_Speech_GAH.pdf
7. The IFOAM Organic Trade Forum Organic World Cafe a Success at BioFach 2006
Report from the Organic World Cafe 2006
Presentations from the Organic World Café 2006
Walter Robb, Whole Foods Market USA, Thoughts on What Matters
Georg Schweisfurth, basic Germany, Key Ingredients for Organic Growth
Raj Seelam, 24 lettered Mantra India, A Southern Perspective
Goûts et Couleurs All Organic Buffet
For more information about the IFOAM Organic Trade Forum or to be a part of it, contact: Carol Haest (carol.haest@euronet.be), OTF chairperson, Haest
Consultancy, Belgium
8. 1st IFOAM Conference on Organic Wild Production - Advance Registration by March 15th
The 1st IFOAM Conference on Organic Wild Production will take place from May 3rd-4th 2006 in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
There is significant trade in organic wild products, including products for direct consumption, suc as berries, mushrooms and a wide variety of herbs. There is also a growing interest in organic
wild products by the body care and medicinal herb sectors.
The conference will establish the state of the art in organic wild production, forge commercial networks and identify challenges and opportunities for the sector. Wild plant producers, processors,
buyers, certifiers, governmental and intergovernmental representatives and others will benefit from participation in this important conference. An exhibition will also be linked to the
conference.
There is an opportunity to apply for funding that will partially subsidize participation in the 1st IFOAM Conference on Organic Wild Production. Preference will be given to applicants who are
currently enrolled in the conference as an active participant. Selection will include equal representation in regards to gender, profession and regional location.
http://www.ifoam.org/events/ifoam_conferences/Sponsored_Participants_Program.html
Register directly from IFOAM's online conference registration system today!
Visit www.organicwildconference.org
9. Call for Papers and Announcement of the 1st IFOAM International Conference on Animals in Organic Production
University of Minnesota Continuing Education and Conference Center, St. Paul, MN, USA
August 23rd- 25th 2006
Introduction
Organic livestock production is growing rapidly throughout the world, and sales are anticipated to increase dramatically in the coming years. Although organic livestock production has made
significant advances over the last several decades, navigating complex regulatory frameworks and dealing with challenges facing the sector such as securing high levels of health and welfare in
organic livestock systems need to be addressed on an international level. In addition, the organic movement needs to take advantage of and share the vast knowledge about organic livestock
management practices that has been accumulated, from feed supply to market management.
This conference will focus on important issues concerning organic livestock and animal husbandry. It will concentrate upon health and food safety in organic livestock production systems, marketing
trends, innovation in organic livestock production systems and livestock breeding strategies. Key figures from around the world will present the diversity of organic livestock systems, including
opportunities and challenges on the horizon.
Representative list of conference topics
Livestock standards and regulations
- Meeting organic livestock standards around the world
- Livestock conversion issues
- Prevention and treatment of diseases
- Feed
- Statistics on organic livestock
- Consumer demand
- Markets - terms and definitions; market structure and analysis; quality assurance; processing and distribution; and trends in consumer markets
- Price comparisons
- Economic studies
- Establishing market niches
- Increasing profits
- Barriers to organic livestock production
- Organic dairy marketing failures in the United Kingdom
- Current inspection and certification systems for animal health and welfare
- Farm level practices on animal health and quality aspects of organic livestock production
- Parasite control with minimal medicine inputs
- Animal stress minimization
Livestock breeding
Call for Papers
Papers are invited on all conference topics. Case studies and practical experiences from the field are strongly encouraged. Organizers anticipate a variety of papers and presentations, ranging from those that are scientific and technical, to those that are practical and/or policy oriented. Single-spaced, one to two page abstracts and presentation proposals should be submitted by March 28, 2006, along with a CV of a maximum of two pages.
Abstracts and CVs should be sent to jriddle@hbci.com with the subject line “Abstract IFOAM Conference Animal Production.” Abstracts will be reviewed by the Program Committee. Authors will be notified by May 1, 2006, if their abstract has been accepted, and will be invited to submit a final paper.
Sponsorship Program
Companies and organizations are invited to participate as sponsors of the first world conference on organic livestock production. The sponsors will receive a host of benefits according to the level of sponsorship.
Sponsorship Levels
Platinum Sponsor – 20,000 Euros (US$24,000)
Gold Sponsor – 10,000 Euros (US$12,000)
Silver sponsor – 5,000 Euros (US$6,000)
Bronze sponsor – 1,000 Euros (US$1,200)
Exhibitor – 500 Euros (US$600)
Further Information
For further information about the conference, including opportunities for sponsorship, contact Neil Sorensen, Manager Communications and Events, at n.sorensen@ifoam.org
Conference 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
10. Submit Articles for Publication in Ecology and Farming by March 31st 2006
IFOAM member organizations are invited to contribute their stories, innovations, ideas, opinions or other important information the world needs to know about
what’s happening in the worldwide organic movement. Ecology and Farming is an important forum for IFOAMs members’ voices to be heard. Please limit full length articles to 1000 words.
Editorials
Do you or your organization have an opinion about what’s happening in the organic movement? Do you have positive or negative comments on previous articles published in Ecology and Farming? You are
invited to submit an article expressing your personal views or the views of your organization or company. Please limit your submissions to 300 words.
You are invited to submit short articles (200-400 words) highlighting significant events and facts for the organic movement. You are also invited to submit short pieces (100-200 words) about new
organic research results, with a link for further information.
Books
Read or publish a good book lately that has something to do with organic agriculture? You are invited to submit short announcements about books of major significance to the organic movement.
Thank you for helping to make IFOAMs magazine Ecology and Farming better by playing an active role and contributing your knowledge, spirit and ideas.
Deadline: March 31st 2006
Please submit print quality (300 dpi) pictures with all articles.
Send your articles to Neil Sorensen, Communications and Events Manager, n.sorensen@ifoam.org
11. Place an advertisement in Ecology and Farming – Deadline April 15th
Ecology and Farming is the most effective way to reach the full spectrum of the organic sector. Ecology and Farming is published 3 times a year, and is delivered to people and organizations in 110 countries.
Our qualified staff will help you to choose the right option for you to reach our readers and grow your company.
- Full page - color (back cover only), 750 Euros
- Full page - (inside back/front cover), 650 Euros???
- Full page - (within main body of text), 450 Euros
- Half page, 300 Euros
- Quarter page, 180 Euros
- Eighth page, 120 Euros
- Inserts (1,000), 700 Euros
Increase exposure and save money by purchasing a Win-Win package!
Win-Win pack Silver
- A full year banner advertisement on the new IFOAM website on the page of your choice. (120 x 300 pixels) www.ifoam.org
- A quarter page advertisement in three issues of Ecology and Farming
- A quarter page advertisement in the IFOAM Directory printed in the respective year
Win-Win pack Gold
- A full year banner advertisement on the new IFOAM website on the page of your choice. (120 x 600 pixels)
- A half page advertisement in three issues of Ecology and Farming
- A half page advertisement in the IFOAM Directory printed in the respective year
- A full-page advertisement in The World of Organic Agriculture, Statistics and Emerging Trends, IFOAMs most popular publication
For more detailed information and a contract form for purchasing a win-win package, visit:
http://www.ifoam.org/about_ifoam/membership/pdfs/Win_Win_Contract.pdf
For further information, please contact Neil Sorensen, Manager Communications and Events: n.sorensen@ifoam.org
12. Special Benefit for IFOAM Members – Discounted GMO Testing from Genetic ID
Due to higher needs for safe and accurate GMO handling, IFOAM and Genetic ID signed a contract to offer IFOAM members a 35% discount on PCR analysis at any Genetic ID lab around the world.
Genetic ID, the global leader in GMO detection, offers you any kind of GMO test you desire to help you fulfil the higher demand for Non-GMO goods.
See below for details on applying for this special offer.
5 Easy steps to order at Genetic ID
- Print out the IFOAM-Genetic ID contract.
- Stamp, sign and send it to:
- Genetic ID (Europe) AG by Fax: +49-821-74776-39
- Print or download our order form and fill in your sample ids and desired tests.
- Send your sample together with the order form to any of Genetic
ID's labs:
- Genetic ID (Europe) AG, Am Mittleren Moos 48, 86167 Augsburg, Germany
- Genetic ID Inc., Order Processing, 501 Dimick Drive, Fairfield, Iowa 52556, USA
- GENETIC ID (Japan), Inc., Order Processing, CENTER-MINAMI SEKI BLD., 398 Chigasaki-cho, Tsuzuki-ku, Yokohama, 224-0031, Japan
Founded in 1996, Genetic ID Inc. maintains global headquarters in Fairfield, Iowa, USA, as well as premier testing laboratories in Japan and Germany, offices in Argentina and Brazil, and the Global Laboratory Alliance of affiliated laboratories and representatives spanning five continents.
13. Calendar of Events
The 1st IFOAM International Conference on Organic Wild Production
May 3-4 2006
Teslic, Bosnia and Herzegovina
gunnar@grolink.se
www.organicwildconference.org
All Things Organic
May 6-9 2006
Chicago, United States
Email: lmurray@divcom.com
www.atoexpo.com
International Association of Students in Agriculture and Related Sciences (IAAS) World Congress 2006
July 16-August 6 2006
Malaysia
info@malaysia2006.dk
www.malaysia2006.dk/news.php
The 1st IFOAM International Conference on Animals in Organic Production
August 23-25 2006
Minnesota, United States
n.sorensen@ifoam.org
www.ifoam.org
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
To be determined.
n.sorensen@ifoam.org
www.ifoam.org
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
