Addition of Algae to the National Standard

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Organic Goods Certificates (OGC) Over Christmas/New Year

 

The OFC office will be closed from midday Friday 22nd December 2023 and will reopen at 8.00am on Monday 8th January 2024.

 

We have been provided with instructions from the DAFF Organic Exports Program for how to have an OGC approved during that period.

 

  • OGC’s will be required to be issued for all prescribed organic goods over the Christmas/New Year period, prior to export,
  • As OFC will be closed midday 22/12/2023 to 07/01/2024 inclusive, operators/exporters are required to contact an alternative approved certifying body (if available) to obtain an OGC, OR
  • Alternatively, OFC can issue an OGC prior to export containing as much information as possible and ‘replace’ the OGC when further shipping information becomes available during the Christmas/New Year period.

 

We would like to remind everyone post departure OGCs cannot be issued. No exceptions will be made during this shut down period, so please communicate these requirements with your relevant staff members.

 

Please contact us is you have any questions regarding the above.

Questions on the content of, or an interpretation of, the National Standard for Organic and Bio-Dynamic Produce

If you need help interpreting something in the National Standard for Organic and Bio-Dynamic Produce, you can ask DAFF! They have an online form.

Questions will be sent to the National Standard Advisory Committee (NSAC) for review.

What is the NSAC? They are a technical committee who provide DAFF with advice and recommendations relating to the National Standard. You can find out what the NSAC does here.

All questions and answers will be publicly released.  Any commercial-in-confidence information submitted as part of an application must be clearly marked. If information is marked as commercial-in-confidence, this information will remain with the department and the NSAC. It will not be released to industry.

JAS-ANZ ACCREDITATION – ORGANICS SCHEME (AUSTRALIA)

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Industry Advice Notice IAN 2023-06 issued by the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry

2023-06: National Anti-Corruption Commission Commencement

 

Date of issue: 10 October 2023

Date of effect: Immediate

 

The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry has issued a new Industry Advice Notice.

 

This notice is applicable to any individual or entity that performs work for, or on behalf of, the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry. This includes contractors, consultants, third-party providers, Export Industry Participants and Approved Arrangements.

 

To view the notice, follow this link:

 

https://www.agriculture.gov.au/biosecurity-trade/export/controlled-goods/organic-bio-dynamic/organic-notices/2023-06

Have Your Say on Australia’s organic export agreement with the EU

The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry has a new Have Your Say regarding their work on progressing their negotiations with the EU regarding the organic trade agreement with the EU.

Australia’s current organic goods trade arrangement with the European Union (EU) is due to expire on 31 December 2026. DAFF are preparing to renew the current unilateral arrangement and move into a bilateral trade agreement (treaty level) to meet EU regulatory requirements.

Follow this link to have your say and register your interest to attend the forum after the industry consultation:

https://haveyoursay.agriculture.gov.au/international-agreement-with-the-european-union-on-organics-goods

Survey closes AEDT 5pm 16 October 2023.

Industry Advice Notice IAN 2021-01 issued by the Department of Agriculture, Water & the Environment

Industry Advice Notice IAN 2021-01 regarding commencement of new organic export legislation was issued by the Department of Agriculture, Water and The Environment on 19 March 2021.

 

The new legislation comes into effect at 3am on 28 March 2021.