Organic conversion periods, testing and poultry rules to change

The Organic Industry Standards and Certification Council (OISCC) has proposed three changes to the National Standard for Organic and Bio-dynamic Produce to give the standard more clarity and bring it into line with international organic standards.

The proposed changes affect:

• conversion periods
• testing
• poultry

Currently, it takes three years to become a certified organic producer and producers can only enter into ‘In Conversion’ status once they have been in ‘precertification’ for 12 months. Under the OISCC proposal, this 12-month period will be scrapped. If a producer can verify that the property has been under organic management for the previous three years, certified organic status can be granted after the 12-month In Conversion period.

The OISCC is also proposing to amend the standard so that Australian organic certification bodies are required to test for residues on a minimum of 5% of their certified operators’ products. Australian Certified Organic says it already tests 5% of its clients’ products for residues.

With regards to poultry, the OISCC is proposing to introduce stocking rates equivalent to those used in the European Union. The use of an amino acid - methionine - would also be permitted in poultry feed.

The proposals are open for public comment until 26 October. They are available to view at the OISCC’s Current submissions under review page.