Press Release

Fonterra's dropping support for many organic farmers means the undoing of years of work, according to the Organic Dairy and Pastoral Group (ODPG).

The Organic Dairy & Pastoral Group is an organisation that is a source of unity and information for organic farmers nationwide. It has nearly 200 members across the country. The majority of its members are in the dairy sector but has solid representation from the sheep, beef, and general pastoral sectors.


The Organic Dairy & Pastoral Group (ODPG) has learned of Fonterra’s plans to centralise their organic milk supply base into the Waikato and Bay of Plenty areas only. This affects a great many of our certified dairy members and we anticipate an influx of correspondence over the subject.

Of the affected members there are some who have not been certified organic for a particularly long time, and there are also those who have been certified for many years. Each member has made their own commitment to farm the way they do, and to supply a clean and healthy product using internationally recognised standards. These standards are also recognised through the NZ Food Safety Authority and do require an absolute commitment to adhere to them.

The ODPG is concerned that many of the affected members, although they may choose to continue farming organically, may decide to not continue with certification. This means that neither their farm, their produce, nor their stock can be called organic, undoing years of work.

The ODPG is also uneasy for the sake of the many suppliers of certified organic products. With the advent and rapid growth of commercial organic milk supply, there are many companies nationwide that have gone to at times considerable time and expense to make their certified products available to organic dairy producers.

The ODPG understands Fonterra’s rationale behind the decision, but is saddened by the decision, particularly so because of the drive in recent years to recruit new organic supply. Fonterra have reminded suppliers that they also have an obligation to maximise return to all shareholder suppliers, but this is of little consolation at the present point in time.

The ODPG looks forward to a time when the global economic situation is more receptive to Fonterra’s hopes to resume organic expansion nationwide.

Mark Pike

CHAIRMAN

ORGANC DAIRY &

PASTORAL GROUP