Avery's fantasies

Alenson, Chris CJ (Alenson.Chris.CJ@bhp.com.au)
Tue, 11 Aug 1998 11:53:55 +1000

It was not too long ago that Mr Avery was sponsored by certain companies
to push the agro-chemical agricultural message and belittle the push
towards sustainable/organic agriculture in Australia.

To those of us involved in this area of agriculture it was of course
unsettling to see the amount of publicity that he was able to generate.
It seemed a contradiction that a scientist of his supposed standing was
able to preach a particular message to the media without any supporting
reference to scientific study to support his claims. Fortunately he
departed our shores with barely a ripple left to mark his presence.

Organic agriculture is on an upward growth spurt in Australia with great
potential to increase domestic and export markets.
On one of the driest continents on earth organic/sustainable
agricultural systems offers not only sound land management practices but
sound certification systems that provide quality uncontaminated food to
a discerning market place.

John Ikerd succinctly discusses the pros and cons of Dennis Avery's
thesis on sustainable agriculture in one of his many excellent papers:
http://www.ssu.missouri.edu/faculty/Jikerd/papers/today-f.htm

Chris Alenson
Organic Retailers & Growers Association of Australia

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