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Home > Food & Agriculture > Organic Farming > Certifying Bodies & Converting to Organic Farming

Certifying Bodies and Converting to Organic Farming

What is Bio-Dynamic Farming?
Registering with a Certified Body
Pre-Certification Period
In-Conversion Period
Further Information

Small picture of ripe cherries

There are a number of organic certifying bodies which operate under the National Standard for Organic and Bio-Dynamic Produce. Four have members in Tasmania.

The Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service

(AQIS) audits organic industry organisations against the requirements of the National Standard for Organic and Biodynamic Produce

to ensure that the integrity of organic product is maintained.

Certifying organic industry organisations operating in Tasmania include:

and those operating only on the mainland include:

This National Standard for Organic and Biodynamic Produce was written in consultation with the certifying bodies and AQIS, the latter representing the Federal Government. The first version was written in 1992 and it was revised in 1998. A new version was officially accepted in December 2003. The National Standard applies to export produce but is used as a defacto domestic standard.

What is Bio-Dynamic Farming?

Bio-dynamic farming refers to a specific type of organic farming based on the principles of Austrian philosopher Rudolf Steiner. Special composts, specific preparations and plant activators are used in accordance with those principles.

This is a closed system of farming where no outside inputs are allowed except one-off inputs such as essential trace elements.

Registering with a Certified Body

A prospective organic farmer has to decide with which certifying body to register. Once a decision has been made, contact has to be made with the body of choice. Fees vary from set amounts to percentages per year.

The process involves a statutory declaration on the previous five year history of the property as to whether unacceptable chemicals or fertilisers have been used and how long ago. Once the certifying body accepts the application, an independent inspector, employed by the certifying body inspects the property.

The inspector will take soil and tissue samples which are tested for nutrients (ie cadmium levels) not acceptable to the industry. They will also be looking for herbicide and dip chemical residues. Provided all these test results are satisfactory, the property goes into what is called "pre-certification" for a year. Product is sold into the conventional market.

A different inspector inspects each year so as to create a totally transparent process.

Pre-Certification Period

During pre-certification period only organically approved inputs are allowed on the property. Every event, input, product generated and sold must be recorded for an annual audit.

At the end of the first year the property is inspected again and the records of all operations are audited. If all processes have been complied with, the inspector will recommend to the certifying body that the property enter the two year "in conversion" phase.

In-Conversion Period

The record keeping of all aspects of the farming operation is recorded for the annual audit. At the end of the first year of "in conversion" the annual inspection and audit takes place. If all processes have been complied with, the inspector will recommend proceeding to the final "in conversion" year.

During the "in conversion" phase product can be sold and labelled as "in conversion" and can attract a small premium.
Colour photograph of rows of broccoli with a rye-corn cover crop.

Colour photograph of rows of broccoli with a rye-corn cover crop.

At the end of the third year of conversion the property is inspected again under the same rules. If all is satisfactory, the inspector will recommend that the property be certified organic.

Organic Farm

All organic farms are audited each year to retain their organic status. Failure anywhere along the way can cause suspension or cancellation of the certification, depending on the severity of the breach.

The certification process involves the owner/manager of the property meeting the certification guidelines. If the property changes hands and the new owner does not have a history in the organic industry, he/she will be monitored for twelve months to ensure they meet the organic standards. An organic farmer who transfers to a new non-organic farm must go through the three year certification process for that new farm for it to become certified organic.

For Further Information:

Contact: Organics Industry Development Officer

Alexandra Mitchell
Organic Industry Development Officer
13 St Johns Avenue NEW TOWN TAS 7008
Phone: 03 6233 2404
Fax: 03 6228 5123
Email: Alexandra.Mitchell@dpipwe.tas.gov.au

Useful Links - Organics

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's)

Tasmania Online | Service Tasmania

This page - http://www.dpipwe.tas.gov.au/inter.nsf/WebPages/SSKA-5J97YX?open - was last published on 9 September 2009 by the Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment. Questions concerning its content can be sent to PI Enquiries by using the feedback form, by mail to GPO Box 44, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia 7001, or by telephone to 03 6233 6439.

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