Innovators To Address Organic Conference

17 Aug 2009

Four leaders in innovative farming practices have today been announced as keynote presenters to the Organics Aotearoa New Zealand (OANZ) Organic Sector Conference, which will take place at the University of Waikato from 13 to 15 November.

Dr Jon Tanner, OANZ Chief Executive Officer, says the conference's keynote speakers are world leaders in innovative and sustainable primary production.

Dr Urs Niggli, Director of FiBL - Europe's largest centre for organic agricultural research - will travel from Switzerland to give the conference an overview of current research on how organics contributes to climate change adaptation and mitigation.

Professor David Montgomery, from the University of Washington (USA), will address the conference on global food security, and the risks to society when the quality of soil declines.

Wijnand Sukkel, an agronomist at Wageningen University (The Netherlands) will compare the productivity, profitability and environmental performance of organic and conventional farming, and address how the sustainability of organic systems can be further enhanced.

Andre Leu, Chair of the Organic Federation of Australia, will present on the opportunities Australian organic farmers have found to trade carbon credits based on the increased organic matter content of their soils, and how this could benefit New Zealand organic producers.

The conference speakers announced today will join previously announced keynote presenters Jean-Guillame and Jean-Philippe Bret - innovative biodynamic winemakers from Burgundy - along with authoritative presenters from around New Zealand.

"The Organic Sector Conference will bring together researchers, producers, traders and consumers to show the innovation that is driving advancement in the organic sector", Dr Tanner said.

"With international demand for safe, sustainable and residue-free food and beverage products continuing to grow, increasing access to skills and information is more important than ever.

"The Organic Sector Conference will bring the unified organic sector together to learn from farming leaders from around the country, and around the world", Dr Tanner said.

Professor Montgomery is attending the conference courtesy of a grant from AGMARDT.  Wijnand Sukkel's presentation is sponsored by the Royal Netherlands Embassy, while the Bret Brothers are coming to New Zealand with assistance from the French Republic.