The Australian organic sector has united behind its peak industry organisation the Organic Federation of Australia (OFA), stated Andre Leu, chair of the OFA.

A historic meeting was held in Sydney on July 29 where the majority of industry organisations voted in a new structure for the Organic Federation of Australia along with a new team of directors representing the whole industry.

‘This has been the result of 18 months of intensive consultations, discussions and industry meetings and it has been very rewarding to see the level of support we have received from both industry and government to achieve this significant milestone’ Andre said.

‘Most significantly we are pleased with the number of people who nominated for the various board positions in the restructured OFA.’

“The big winners on July 29 were the organic farming and consumer communities in Australia,” George Devrell, CEO of National Association of Sustainable Agriculture Australia said.  “Rapid growth of the industry is set to continue, but now under a new governance umbrella which will enhance both industry integrity and consumer confidence.”

‘This has been a very important year for the OFA.  An enormous amount of effort has been put into transforming the OFA into the first peak industry organisation that represents the whole supply/value chain. This has involved two industry roundtables and extensive stakeholder consultation.’ Andre Leu stated

‘The new structure allows for more stakeholder participation while ensuring that the organisation is overseen by a skills based board of directors organised on the current best practice models of corporate governance.’

Senator Hon. Richard Colbeck, the Parliamentary Secretary for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry launched the restructured OFA and opened the Organic Expo at a well attended cocktail party on the evening of July 29

For Interviews: Andre Leu  07 40987610
Appendix A. Explanation of new structure
Appendix B. List of all the board members

Appendix A

Explanatory Notes

‘The new model for the OFA has been designed to allow greater stakeholder participation in the decision making processes and a board that will function on the current best practice model of corporate governance.’

‘The organic sector is an industry worth hundreds of millions of dollars that employs thousands of people in regional, rural and metropolitan Australia. It is vitally important that we have a peak body with the skills and resources to ensure that we keep the integrity of organics while negotiating the changes that are seeing us move from a niche to a significant part of the Australian economy and community.’ Andre Leu Said

‘The proposed model has many advantages and will be a good vehicle for the growing organic industry. One of the major problems we have had to grapple with is how to have an organisation that encourages as many people as possible to participate, however is not too top heavy with an unmanageable board. Most peak bodies only have to represent a single industry. The organic industry is composed of every sector from the paddock to the plate.’

‘Our solution is a two tiered board system. The first tier will consist of a Board of Directors. The OFA Board of Directors will be restricted to 9, with their prime responsibility being the role of governance consistent with Corporations Law.’

‘The second tier comprises of 5 Advisory Boards. Most of the policy issues and priorities will be done at the Advisory Board level with the final responsibility resting with the Board of Directors.’

5 Advisory Board groups will be:

• Producers
• Traders and Intermediaries (retailers, wholesalers, exporters, inspectors, input suppliers, service suppliers, advisers, consultants etc)
• Consumers
• Certifiers (all AQIS accredited certifiers will have a member on this board)
• Alliance: Individuals and organisational supporters (includes, but not limited to, individuals, food and nutrition organisations, universities, TAFE colleges, schools, research organisations, conservation/NRM organisations, farming organisations and single issue organisations.)

‘This process is a combination of stakeholder democracy as well as selection rigour to ensure that our most skilful members are guiding our sector.’ stated Andre Leu

The full constitution along with all the transition arrangements and other supporting documentation is available on our website: www.ofa.org.au

Appendix B

OFA Board Members

The following people have been elected at the AGM in Sydney on July 29

OFA Board of Directors
Andre Leu - Chair
Clinton Starr – Deputy Chair
Hamish Mackay - Treasurer
Paul Dargusch
George Devrell
Scott Kinnear
Eric Love
Keith Morris
Colleen Yates

OFA Trust
Rod May
Prof. Alf Poulas
Dr. Els Wynen
Chair TBA

Advisory Boards
Producer
Liz Clay - Chair
Mal Deveson
Andre Leu
John Liddicoat
Fiona Routledge
Hamish Mackay
Rod May

Traders and Intermediary
Gerhard Grasser - Chair
Doug Adamson
Jon Christopher
Debbie Hayward
Eric Love
Clinton Starr
Emma Stuart

Certifier
Paul Dargusch – Interim Chair
George Devrell
Keith Morris
 Kenrick Riley

Consumer
Tony Adams 
Jenny Jackson
Gaye Lamb
Catriona Macmillan
Jenny Paterson
Sharon Sztar
Colleen Yates
Chair TBA

Alliance
Cheryl Kemp - Chair
Peter Crisp
Scott Kinnear
Dr Paul Kristiansen
Tim Marshall
Prof. Alf Poulas
Dr Els Wynen