Since 1983, BioGro has been at the forefront of the organics movement, working tirelessly to certify and promote organic farming and the benefits for

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2 Since 1983, BioGro has been at the forefront of the organics movement, working tirelessly to certify and promote organic farming and the benefits for consumers. Organic farming is a holistic system of agriculture which aims to operate sustainably and in harmony with nature. The founding premise of organic farming rests in optimum soil management to produce healthy crops and livestock for healthy, nutritious food. Organic farming is sometimes also referred to as biological farming or ecological farming. Organic production is based on positive management systems which aim to reduce or eliminate the need for most agricultural chemicals. Organic food is produced without the routine use of synthetic agricultural chemicals such as fungicides, herbicides, insecticides, growth regulators and soluble fertilisers. But it is much more than spray free or residue free.

3 Key principles of organic farming Encouraging and enhancing biological cycles Maintaining and improving long term soil structure and fertility Practising humane management of livestock Maintaining genetic diversity Cycling organic matter and nutrients within a production system Integrating management of soil, crops and the environment for weed, pest and disease management Aiming to produce food of high nutritional quality Minimising or eliminating all forms of pollution Not allowing genetic engineering These broad principles are more clearly defined in the BioGro NZ Organic Standards: standards. Why certified organic? Certification helps give consumers guarantees about how their food was made because unlike conventional produce, every single certified organic product can be traced back to its origin. The organic consumer looks for organic food because they want their food to be: Safe with minimal residues of pesticides and harmful chemicals Nutritious. Studies have shown higher levels of beneficial minerals are found in organic food High in quality full of taste, texture and wholesomeness Better for the environment as there is no or minimal use of synthetic and harmful chemicals both on the farm and in processing. Unlike conventional produce, every single certified organic product can be traced back to its origin.

4 Frequently asked questions Treated posts Are treated posts allowed in organic certification? We understand that this is applicable to producers of exports to the USA only? All producers of exports to the USA (NOP standards) and Canada (COR standards) are prohibited from using treated posts. This includes all primary production operations (Dairy, Sheep and Beef farms, cropping, orchards and vineyards) that are in conversion to or fully certified to these standards. Which uses of timber posts are affected by this ruling? All uses of timber posts are affected, including: fences (end assemblies, stays, posts and battens) livestock housing calf houses milking sheds hay sheds, and stockyards. This is to ensure that certified livestock can t come in contact with the treated timber or fence. For example no treated timber can be used on the sides of a hay shed, but can be used in the roof as livestock can t come into contact with it. An alternative is for the walls to be covered so that stock can t come into direct contact with the treated timber. Does this affect existing fences already in place? No. Existing, fences, buildings, crop structures, etc are all okay. This ruling only applies to repairs of existing fences, buildings and/or new fences, buildings, crop structures etc. being put in after certification is in place. As boundary fences are legal requirements and may also be maintained by a neighbour who may not be organically certified, what are the rules? Can treated posts/timber be used for boundary fences for properties which graze certified livestock? Yes, if you use permitted materials (please check with your certifier). For NOP and COR standards, if you need to use treated timber you ll need to ensure that certified livestock can t contact the boundary fence. An alternative option is to apply to decertify a strip of land. The internal fence must be permanent and effective, such as a permanent electric fence, so stock can t graze to the treated post boundary fence. The distance between the two fences is usually 1m wide. We also encourage the planting of trees in the decertified strip to prevent stock from coming into contact with the boundary fence. Animal welfare What animal health treatments can be used? That depends. EU organic regulation and the NOP both have differing rules around what medical, vet or emergency treatments are allowed. Some non certified and synthetic materials may be allowed in medical treatments. Inputs can be treated in two ways as well as feed or as a medical treatment. Inputs which are supplied to stock regularly as a tonic or preventative must be considered to be feed and must comply with feed rules. While inputs can be used as a medical treatment for stock, where there is acute or chronic symptoms of disease, this will need to be assessed against the rules for allowed medical treatments. Please check with your certifier.

5 What are the requirements for the use of medical treatments? Ideally you will have time to gain BioGro written approval before you administer medical treatment (drugs, anaesthetics, tonics etc) which do not already have BioGro certification. However, welfare comes first and so medications can be administered before approval. If the medicine used cannot retroactively be approved and certified then the animal may need to be removed from the herd. What Homeopathic preparations can be used for NOP certified farms? Homeopathic remedies are widely used in the organic dairy sector. BioGro s current interpretation of the USDA NOP allows homeopathic remedies which are made from non synthetic ingredients and/or synthetic ingredients listed as allowed in the USDA NOP. Before using a homeopathic remedy make sure that it is produced by a BioGro certified supplier and is listed on their current BioGro certified list. Is there any additional information on treatments I need to be aware of? Yes. Please note that restrictions can apply to the number and/or type of treatments that an animals can receive and that some withholding periods may apply. For example, vaccines can be used if they are ACVM registered and non GMO, but a treatment compliant for external use may not be suitable for internal use. Check with the BioGro office for further guidance and/or examples of treatments in the list of approved inputs. Inputs What happens if I wish to use an Input that is not on the BioGro website list (including livestock treatments)? There may be inputs that you would like to use which do not have current BioGro certification. This may be because: certification has been discontinued, or the new certification has not yet been finalised, or a generic material is not available from a certified supplier in your area, or a generic material or a livestock treatment is not yet available as a certified product, or you would like to trial a new type of input product. In these cases contact the BioGro office and supply the specification sheet and GMO declarations (if applicable). If the input is acceptable we will or fax a written approval for use over a specified period. There may be a charge to cover the work involved in assessing the input if it is a multi ingredient product and involves extensive research. Am I allowed to use an input product that I purchased last year when it was BioGro certified but is no longer certified because the manufacturer / distributor didn t renew their certification? If the input product is not currently certified then you need to apply for BioGro approval prior to use and BioGro will need to assess the formulation against the current standards and regulations. Other Can I bring a dairy cow into my NOP organic herd and convert her for 12 months and then sell her milk as NOP organic? No. Once an operation has been NOP certified for organic production, all dairy animals brought into the operation must have been under NOP organic management for at least the last third of their own gestation.

6 What are the feed requirements for certification? All feed must be certified organic to the relevant programmes, unless dispensations are granted. To understand dispensation options, please refer to the Dairy Key Organic Conversion Targets sheet included with this guide. What are my options for feed dispensation during a drought BioGro can allow up to 5% of non organic feed to be used in a drought situation, however, a certification panel decision is required. Under the MPI OOAP (for EU, Switzerland, Taiwan), MPI needs to grant a dispensation for the operator to be able to use non OOAP organic feed. However, for USDA NOP all feed must have USDA NOP certification. Please contact BioGro prior to making feed decisions. When raising cows for both milk and meat can the animals be treated in the same way? No. It is important to know that requirements for milk and meat are different even within the same certification programme. For example an animal compliant for organic NOP milk production may or may not be eligible for organic NOP meat certification. When raised for milk, the Fonterra programme includes compliance to BioGro, IFOAM, MPI OOAP for EU and Taiwan, and USDA NOP. While animals raised for meat are largely certified to BioGro, IFOAM, MPI OOAP for EU and Soil Association equivalence (for the UK). The majority for organic meat is exported to the EU. Additional resources Organic Dairy & Pastoral Group

7 Contacts in the Dairy Sector For further information regarding to conversion Organic Dairy Farming contact: BioGro NZ Eljay Maunder Ph BioGro Dairy Auditors Taranaki: Simon Baylis Ph , Waikato: Vivienne Cruickshank Ph , South Island: Joy McLeod Ph , Auckland/ Northland: David Brown Ph , Fonterra Cooperative Stuart Luxton Business Development Manager Central Upper North Island Ph mobile Fonterra Organic Farmers Advisory Group Janet Fleming Ph Oceania Dairy, South Island Shane Lodge, Quality & Compliance Manager Open Country Steve McBride, General Manager Milk Supplier Organic Ag Bill Quinn Ph , Organic Dairy Hub Mary Cameron Ph , Organic Dairy & Pastoral Group Inc John Vosper, Chair Ph , , Southern Organics Group Merril Catto Ph ,

8 About BioGro BioGro was founded by the New Zealand Biological Producers and Consumers Society in 1983 to protect consumers and the word organic. Since our founding 30 years ago, we have always been focussed on certifying farming and manufacturing practises that we believe are the best environmental, sustainable, fair and ethical based approaches to production. Organic certification has been the way we have implemented and supported these practices. Today, BioGro is the leading voice for organics and certification. We certify over 650 organic producers, farmers and manufacturers across New Zealand and the Pacific. We offer the most credible and highest organic standards in New Zealand. BioGro certifies and accredits all sectors of the organics industry from dairy to winemaking, fresh fruit and veggies, beverages, foodstuffs, baby food, cosmetics and everything in between. Initial contact meeting BioGro provides an additional service, the initial contact meetings, which are designed to allow those who are new to organics an opportunity to discuss certification in relation to your particular circumstances. One of our experienced auditors will visit your farm and review with you the full certification process, answer your questions and assess how viable it is for your property or operation to become certified. There is a fee of $150 + GST for the initial hour and $138 + GST for any additional hours. If you apply for certification within three months of the initial visit, we will deduct 33% of the initial contact meeting fee from your certification application. For more information or to book a session, please get in touch. eljay@biogro.co.nz contact meetings

9 The BioGro Logo The BioGro logo is the most recognised organic logo amongst New Zealanders. It guarantees that a product is made without GMO s, animal testing and the routine use of synthetic pesticides. The BioGro logo is the mark of a genuine organic product. BioGro certified producers carry the logo on their products to assure you that the organic products you buy are authentic. To know you re really buying organic, look for this logo:

10 Appendix A Dairy Key Organic Conversion Target For reference only. Please consult your certifier for approvals on animal feed, treatments and bought in stock. Registration year Conversion year 1 In conversion to organic production Conversion year 2 EU compliant In conversion in US Months Pastures All land converting including runoffs/supporting blocks Bought in feed (including contract grazing) All animals (Milk production) Bought in stock Milkers Bought in stock Heifers Bought in stock Calves Registered to organic Can convert simultaneous or fast track. Simultaneous all feed equal certification or higher. Fast track: conventional feed can be brought in with prior permission must be GE free Simultaneous all feed equal certification or higher. Simultaneous conversion of cows If fast track conversion stock still conventional. EU rules 10 % replacement herd If fast track calves are not yet in conversion In conversion EU 24 months conversion US 36 months conversion BioGro 36 months conversion 6 month conversion of milkers to EU 100 % certified organic feed from the farm or bought in EU / MAF Technical Rules or higher. EU in conversion EU rules 10 % replacement herd EU or US certified stock only If fast track calves are not yet in conversion Antibiotics With approval With approval, twice normal withholding period EU Internal parasites Ivermectin with permission in calves Records of Ivermectin use must, retained for lifetime of calf. Ivermectin with permission in calves last treatment must be 12 months before calving Records of Ivermectin use, must retained for lifetime of calf. Full certified EU (MAF Technical Rules) US in conversion BioGro in conversion Own produced C2 feed or bought in USDA NOP feed No carry over feed from C2 into Full certification year Full certified EU (MAF Technical Rules) US in conversion No bought in stock Whole herd converts to NOP, including calves and heifers. No antibiotics all animals Ivermectin with permission in calves only last treatment must be 12 months before calving Records of Ivermectin use, must retained for lifetime of calf. Full certification Full organic certification EU and US compliant Certified organic BioGro USDA NOP 100% USDA NOP feed Fully certified organic BioGro USDA NOP Can purchase USDA NOP certified dairy cows with prior permission Purchase NOP certified stock only with prior permission Purchase NOP certified stock only. Prior permission required No antibiotics all animals Ivermectin with permission in calves only last treatment must be 12 months before calving Records of Ivermectin use, must retained for lifetime of calf.

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