After reading it, I found I had nothing more to add.
a.harris@mirinz.org.nz wrote:
> Another interesting debate.
>
> Experiences then opinions
>
> In New Zealand we have at least 3 certification systems: BioGro (IOFOAM linked)
> Demeter (Biodynamic) and Codex. All of them are certification of methods of
> production. That is it is not only possible, but highly likely that a
> cauliflower, grown under certified conditions will sit in the shop for a
> week(mainly because the cost is much higher than conventionally produced
> cauliflowers) with its sticker on, looking yellow and limp, doing no-one any
> good!
>
> A number of Maori farmers in Northland became keen on organics, and finding that
> "organic certification" was only a fairly costly way of getting someone else to
> check on methods they had paid the cost and developed themselves. They got
> talking to their Indian first nation bro's in North America who said how about
> we trade on ethical terms. We will sell your product as organic on the basis of
> your word and the implied trust that we have as first nation brothers and
> sisters.
>
> A number of our organic kiwifruit growers, who have been right royally shafted
> by the monopoly single desking selling system we have in New Zealand (who see
> organics as competitive with their IPM Kiwigreen label) are now asking the
> question and doing the talking of finding out what the market actually wants in
> terms of organic product. Is it certification of a method of productions, is it
> an audit trail of food safety etc etc etc.
>
> Let us ask the very fundamental questions:
>
> What does the consumer want and how can we produce it at the cheapest possible
> price (ie maximise market return.) Goddamit we live in a real world where,
> whether we like it or not, we are trading food. Lets be realistic and harness
> our principles to market realities.
>
> The role of goverment? Organic growers are essentially a minority group battling
> huge discrimination by players at all levels. They claim that what they are
> doing has enviromental benefits and, more particularly implications for the
> relationship between agriculture and health. Moreover they claim that the real
> costs of environmental and public health will be significantly reduced by the
> application of their methods of food production.
>
> Is their not then a need to remind governments of their democratic duty (1) to
> support the concerns of minority groups and establish with them a framework for
> certification that informs their market of their claims and researchs their
> validity. (2) Critically evaluate the claims re agriculture and public health -
> and yes when objectivally analysed I believe that their is overwhelming evidence
> for the case of the organic minority.
>
> Then it should be behoven upon all of us to work in the public good to ensure
> that everyone has access to healthy food at an affordable price. When all is
> said and done (and at the moment their is still much more saying than doing)
> when regenerative food production becomes conventional, the organic market will
> have been fully realised.
>
> Humusly
> Alfred Harris
--Douglas M. Hinds Centro para el Desarrollo Comunitario y Rural A.C. (CeDeCoR) (Center for Community and Rural Development) - (non profit) Cd. Guzman, Jalisco 49000 MEXICO U.S. Voice Mailbox: 1 630 300 0550 (e-mail linked) e-mail: dmhinds@acnet.net, dhinds@ucol.mx, cedecor@acnet.net, cedecor@ipnet.com.mx
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