IFOAM News
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New EU Regulation on Organic Agriculture
- Terminator Technology is Back
- Joint International GMO Opposition Day
- BioFach Symposium: Organic Trade - Reaching the Consumer with Innovative Concepts
- The IFOAM Organic Trade Forum Presents the Organic World Cafe at BioFach 2006
- Schedule of IFOAM Relevant Events at BioFach 2006
- Organic Retailers Association Vision Camp 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 13th 2006
- Place an advertisement in Ecology and Farming – Deadline March 27th
- Final Notice: Call for Nominations to the Program Strategy Committee and the Participatory Guarantee System Task Force - Deadline February 15th
1. New EU Regulation on Organic Agriculture
Link to the new regulation: http://europa.eu.int/comm/agriculture/qual/organic/index_en.htm
IFOAM and the IFOAM EU group have seriously studied the proposals and are preparing a coordinated response. IFOAM has submitted comments on the import regime, for which the new rules will apply from January 1st 2007
onwards. The new regulation is proposed to apply from January 1st 2009.
The IFOAM EU Group, together with Friends of the Earth Europe, GeneWatch UK, GM Freeze UK and Greenpeace, wrote an open letter on January 25th to the EU commission regarding the provisions on GMOs
and their implications for coexistence.
In an earlier press release (January 23rd) the IFOAM EU group already expressed that organic farming does not tolerate GMO contamination
Link to the Joint Letter on the Commission Proposal for a Council Regulation on Organic Production and Labeling
http://www.ifoam.org/about_ifoam/around_world/eu_group/pdfs/GMO_Organic_Regulation.pdf
IFOAM EU Group Press Release - Organic farming does not tolerate GMO contamination
http://www.ifoam.org/about_ifoam/around_world/eu_group/pdfs/IFOAMEU_GMO_Contamination.pdf
2. Terminator Technology is Back
Terminator technology refers to plants that have been genetically modified to render sterile seeds at harvest. It is clear that gmo’s are absolutely in contradiction with the Principles of Organic Agriculture. The Terminator, however, is an extra thread: out-crossing pollen might cause seed from others
(and so organic seed) to be sterile as well. The centuries of cultural heritage that is represented in seed will be destroyed through this trait.
On October 11th 2005 the European patent office granted a Terminator patent to the US seed company Delta & Pine and the United States Department of Agriculture. Delta & Pine is lobbying
hard at the United Nations to overturn the existing de facto moratorium on Terminator in the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD).
At the March 20th-21st 2006 the meeting of the UN Convention on Biological Diversity in Brazil, the future of Terminator will be decided.
You are encouraged to initiate your own initiatives and to approach your own governments and their delegations to the CBD to halt the use of Terminator technology. www.banterminator.org offers background information, briefings on major issues and concern, news and updates.
3. Joint International GMO Opposition Day
Worldwide GMO Opposition Day
April 8th 2006 will go into history as the third worldwide gmo opposition day. It is a day meant to express global solidarity of people and organizations against GMOs, and it is an initiative
supported by IFOAM.
The World Trade Organization (WTO) -- whose Deputy Director General previously served as the
European general counsel for the agrochemical and biotechnology giant Monsanto -- has ruled in favor of genetically modified (GM) crop producers against the European Union (EU). It is in this
context that 100 international organizations from more than 40 countries have announced their support. The day will feature major public events in several of these countries to demonstrate
continuing global opposition to genetically modified foods and crops.
The Worldwide GMO Opposition Day will take place two days after the conference on ‘coexistence of genetically modified, conventional and organic crops; The Freedom of Choice’, organized and hosted
by the Austrian government, the presidency of the European Union for the first half of 2006. The IFOAM EU Regional Group has a slot in the official program to talk about consumers’ expectations.
The date of the gmo opposition day coincides as well with the Biotech Convention in Chicago.
Check out http://altercampagne.free.fr/ for further information.
4. BioFach Symposium: Organic Trade - Reaching the Consumer with Innovative Concepts
Wednesday February 15th, from 15:00-18:00 at BioFach 2006
The German Federal Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Consumer Protection (BMELV) and the International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements (IFOAM) are organizing the 4th international
symposium in conjunction with BioFach 2006.
The focus will be on the development of innovative concepts by the organic trade to reach new consumers. Participants will have the opportunity to listen to and discuss the visions, creative ideas
and impressive success stories of industry leaders and political icons.
For complete program information, including how to register for this event, visit:
http://www.ifoam.org/events/other_events/BioFach_Symposium_2006.html
5. The IFOAM Organic Trade Forum Presents the Organic World Cafe at BioFach 2006
The Organic World Café on the eve of BioFach is THE inspiring and networking annual meeting of the organic business world, with it's delicious organic food & drink, inspiring presentations,
collaborative dialogues and clear outcome statements.
It takes place on Wednesday February 15th at BioFach, and is an event not to be missed.
For more information, including registration information, visit: http://www.ifoam.org/about_ifoam/professional/trade_forum.html
6. Schedule of IFOAM Relevant Events at BioFach 2006
For a complete schedule of IFOAM relevant events at BioFach 2006 visit:
http://www.ifoam.org/events/fairs/biofach.html
7. Organic Retailers Association Vision Camp at BioFach 2006
The Organic Retailers Association (ORA), brings together leading experts & stakeholders from diverse (EU)-Countries to exchange opinions and thoughts. The goal is to establish an efficient
network to support the development of the private organic-shop-sectors on a European level. The major aims of the ORA include the? exchange of experiences, the establishment of a consultancy pool,
lobbying, linking initiatives for vocational training (E-Learning) and development of standards. The ORA is also an official IFOAM body.
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, such 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 IFOAMs 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 13th 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 13th 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 March 27th
Take advantage of the opportunity to advertise in the upcoming edition of Ecology and Farming, which has been redesigned, with a modern look and feel.
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, Communications and Events Manager: n.sorensen@ifoam.org
12. Final Notice: Call for Nominations to the Program Strategy Committee and the Participatory Guarantee System Task Force -
Deadline February 15th
Call for Nominatations to the IFOAM Task Force on Particpatory Guarantee Systems
http://www.ifoam.org/about_ifoam/inside_ifoam/pdfs/PGS_Nomination.pdf
Call for Nominations to the Program Strategy Committee
http://www.ifoam.org/about_ifoam/inside_ifoam/pdfs/PSC_Nomination.pdf
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
