The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry has approved algae production to the National Standard for Organic and Bio-Dynamic Produce.

The addition of algae in the standard will allow Australian organic algae producers to compete in the global market.

Agricultural Trade deputy secretary Nicola Hinder PSM, says it is exciting to see this amendment to the national standard being formalised.

“There is a significant shift in some consumer preferences towards organic products, which is seeing sales in organic products grow worldwide,” Nicola says.

“The national standard is Australia’s technical export standard for organic and bio-dynamic goods,” she says.

“As the main focus in equivalence arrangements with our international trading partners, it is vital we ensure all sectors are represented to ensure ongoing trade opportunities for organics goods across all sectors of agriculture.”

The application for the amendment was approved following a public comment period and review by the National Standards Advisory Committee.

An Industry Advice Notice on the amendment’s introduction will be issued by the department. The physical release of an updated national standard will occur in early 2024.

The department resumed direct management of the national standard in January 2022 and has since released Edition 3.8 which includes organic wine production, the first major update to the national standard since 2017.

For more information on Australia’s technical export standard for organic and bio-dynamic goods, go to: www.agriculture.gov.au/biosecurity-trade/export/controlled-goods/organic-bio-dynamic/national-standard