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David Littleproud urges stronger organic standards, backing industry calls for clear certification regulations

David Littleproud urges stronger organic regulations, criticizing the lack of certification standards, supports industry-backed legislation ensuring organic products meet clear requirements, boosting consumer confidence and market integrity.

By news@gippsland - 10th February 2025 - Back to News

Leader of The Nationals David Littleproud has called for organic products to actually be organic, after a Senate committee handed down its report into the National Organic Standard Bill 2024. Mr Littleproud said industry was backing the Coalition's common sense legislation. "There is a clear and unified recognition across the organics industry that Australia's regulatory framework is not fit for purpose," Mr Littleproud said.

David Littleproud urges domestic organic regulation, highlighting industry support and Australia's lagging standards compared to OECD nations and export requirements

Call for organic standards

Mr Littleproud said, "The industry doesn't need another review or inquiry. It defies logic that organic products currently aren't required to be certified or comply with any particular organic standard, but can still call themselves organic. The organics industry, as well as consumers, needs and deserves action."

Mr Littleproud pointed out the Committee's report fails to adequately acknowledge the current industry support and need for a domestic regulation. "The need for domestic regulation has already been identified and recommended by the Standing Committee on Agriculture's inquiry. The Coalition remains committed to a domestic organic regulatory framework in Australia.

"Products in Australia can currently claim to be organic with as little as two per cent of the ingredients being certified organic. In comparison, organic products sold for export require 95 percent organic ingredients. Australia is also the last nation in the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) to not have a regulatory framework for the use of the word 'organic'," he said.

Supporting organics reform

Mr Littleproud added the former Coalition government had started a pathway to setting an Australian standard for the organics industry, worth over $2 billion annually, by setting up an industry-led advisory group, which laid down the pathway to complete reforms in 2020.

"The industry does not need another Department scoping exercise. The benefit of domestic regulation for import and export markets and to improve consumer confidence in Australian organic produce has been clearly articulated by many submitters of the inquiry," Mr Littlproud concluded.

Pictures from Sustainability Victoria website.

Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: news@gippsland.com

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• Melina Bath praises Gippsland seafood excellence at Victorian Industry Awards, highlighting quality and sustainability
  Melina Bath praised Gippsland seafood businesses in state parliament, highlighting quality, sustainability, local jobs, and regional economic contribution at the 2026 Victorian Industry Seafood Awards.
• Melina Bath praises Gippsland seafood excellence at Victorian Industry Awards, highlighting quality and sustainability
  Melina Bath praised Gippsland seafood businesses in state parliament, highlighting quality, sustainability, local jobs, and regional economic contribution at the 2026 Victorian Industry Seafood Awards.
• Melina Bath criticises Labor’s digital-only licence system, calling it discriminatory and locking out hunters lacking internet access
  Melina Bath urges Minister Dimopoulos to reinstate paper-based licence renewals, ensuring hunters aren’t excluded and focusing on hunting competency over digital skills
• Tim Bull encourages Gippsland East communities to apply for Victorian government’s Tiny Towns Fund Grants until 4 February 2026
  Tim Bull urges Gippsland East communities to apply for the Tiny Towns Fund, offering $5,000-$50,000 grants to support tourism, liveability, and local projects for towns under 5,000 residents.
• Coalition demands Albanese government regulate veterans’ advocacy sector after damning Senate committee report release
  The Coalition urges urgent laws to regulate veterans’ advocacy, citing unethical practices, rising commercial providers, data risks, and unmet Royal Commission reforms to better protect vulnerable veterans and their families.
• Government was light on details about fuel and fertiliser plans, says Darren Chester
  Darren Chester urges the Albanese government to ensure fuel and fertiliser prioritisation for agriculture and food production, warning supply disruptions from the Iran conflict threaten farmers, exports and Australian household budgets.
• Tim Bull encourages local groups to apply for grants supporting veterans, preserving war memorials and heritage by 3 February 2026
  Tim Bull urges local organisations to apply by 3 February 2026 for grants supporting veterans and conserving war memorials and community heritage.
• Danny O’Brien warns Gippslanders to stay alert as fake government email and text scams increase
  Danny O’Brien urges residents to stay vigilant against sophisticated government-themed email and text scams, verify messages using Scam Safe Check, and report suspicious activity to protect the community.
• East Gippsland residents urged to foster dogs as Animal Aid Bairnsdale faces unprecedented influx and resource strain
  Animal Aid Bairnsdale urges East Gippsland residents to foster dogs as rising numbers strain shelter capacity. Support, resources, and costs are provided, ensuring dogs receive safety, love, and a chance at adoption.
• East Gippsland Water warns dry conditions require following permanent water saving rules to protect community and future supply
  East Gippsland Water urges residents to conserve water amid drying conditions, following Permanent Water Saving Rules to protect supplies, reduce pressure on catchments, and maintain community health and safety.
• East Gippsland Council reminds pet owners to register pets, ensure safety, cleanliness, and enjoyable public spaces for everyone
  East Gippsland Council urges pet owners to register animals, ensuring compliance, quick safe returns, and supporting responsible ownership for cleaner, safer, and more enjoyable community spaces.
• Danny O’Brien said the state’s fuel price app is ineffective, though price transparency tools like Servo Saver can help strained household budgets
  Gippsland South MP Danny O’Brien urges state and federal governments to secure regional fuel supply, warning rising costs, panic-buying, and supply restrictions threaten farmers, transport, essential services, and local households.
• Latrobe City Council endorses Economic Development Strategy guiding growth, investment, workforce and industry diversification through 2031
  Latrobe City Council has endorsed an Economic Development Strategy to guide growth, investment, workforce development, and industry diversification, creating a vibrant, inclusive, and nationally significant industrial hub by 2031.
• Darren Chester prioritises national food and fibre security, supporting farmers, fisheries, forestry and local industry resilience through strategy
  New Shadow Minister Darren Chester will prioritise national food and fibre security, supporting farmers, fishers, forestry, and local communities through strategic investments, policy reforms, and protection of prime agricultural land.