Organics Aotearoa New Zealand have five requests from government in its election manifesto, led by full implementation of the national organic standard, says Scott Lawson, board member of Organics Aotearoa and director of Lawson’s Organic Farms.

“It’s not very often you hear farmers in industry ask for regulation, but that’s something we’ve been asking for the last 20 years,” he says.

He says the remaining requests cover investment in the sector’s growth, securing global market access, and protecting New Zealand’s GE-free advantage.

“We don’t see any middle ground on that advantage.”

He says the fifth is a stronger domestic base.

“Food security doesn’t come from a supermarket; it comes from having foundations.”

The push follows a Hawke’s Bay visit by Mike Butterick, the world-first Associate Minister of Agriculture for organics.

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