Certified Organic Food

Any grower can claim that they use sustainable, organic methods when producing their crops. There is no legislation in Australia to govern the accuracy of these claims and the buyer is not often in a position to research the grower's practices. However selling produce said to be grown organically is becoming more difficult without being able to prove these claims. This article sets out the steps to organic certification for any one interested in commercial organic production.

Research

There are currently seven organisations in Australia who are accredited to certify organic produce.It is really up to the individual to research which organisation best meets their needs. Things to look for include fees (watch for hidden ones like travel costs), the acceptability of that organisation in the market you wish to access, and performance of that organisation as related by growers already using the service.
All seven certifying organisations have written standards. These standards should reflect the National Standard for Organic and Biodynamic Produce that has been set out by government and the industry working together.

Read the Standards/ Approach the certifying organisation

It is important to read the standards of any agency that you are thinking of becoming certified with. These standards set out the minimum requirements and there is no point applying if your operation cannot work towards meeting them.
This is a good time to start your relationship with the certifying organisation. Ask them any questions that arise, discuss any problems you think you will have meeting the standards.

Application

The process of application for organic certification is usually started by filling out a questionnaire detailing your operation. The day this completed application reaches the office of the certifying organisation (together with payment of your initial fees) is usually the day your contractual relationship with that organisation starts.

Pre-certification

Under the National Standards for Organic and Biodynamic produce a minimum time frame for moving into organic certification is defined.
The first year is known as the pre-certification year. During this year you have made a commitment to work to the standards of the certifying organisation but you cannot yet use their accreditation to sell your produce.

First Inspection

Once your application and fees have been processed by the certifying organisation an inspector will be allocated to visit your operation.
The inspector is given all information you have provided. They will contact you and visit at a mutually convenient time to observe all aspects of your operation. Record keeping is a particularly important part of these inspections as that verifies your practices and sales for the full year. Under the standards all licensees are required to keep a diary of on-farm/processing activities.At this initial inspection a soil test will be taken to ascertain if there are any chemical residues present in the soil.
The inspector then writes a report based on the inspection and sends that to the certifying organisation along with any maps, packaging and label samples or other relevant documents.

Inspection Review Committee

All information gathered by the organisation and the inspector (including soil test results) is put before the Inspection Review Committee who then makes recommendations based on the information they receive.
If all is deemed acceptable a contract for Pre-certification is offered. This contract will usually include conditions that must be met by the next inspection.

Reinspection

A second inspection will take place at around twelve months after the initial inspection. The inspector will look again at practices and record keeping, and may take a tissue sample if the initial soil test showed any residue.
Again the Inspection Review Committee will make recommendations based on all information received. If all is deemed to be acceptable you will be offered a contract with the certifying organisation to make use of their logo and will enter the In Conversion period.

Annual reinspection

It is not until the third year that you may achieve full certification. This process cannot be shortened and the certifying organisation may extend the In Conversion period if they feel it necessary. Reinspections will occur yearly and contract conditions raised after any inspection will direct the grower towards compliance with their standards.

Appeal

Written appeal can be made if the licensee is unhappy with any decision made in regard to their certification. A condition of the contract is that an inspector may enter the property at any time if requested by the certifying agency.

Markets

It may seem a long process to achieve full certification but a fully sustainable system is not achieved overnight. The Standards are set for the benefit of all licensees as well as wholesalers, retailers and consumers.
Once you achieve organic certification a growing range of markets will be open to you, from local retail outlets, Perth and interstate wholesaler, processors and exporters who only deal in certified produce.

A current list of organisations accredited to carry out organic certification can be obtained by emailing pr@aqis.gov.au

Kathe Purvis
Independent Organic Inspector
24/07/01