World Comes to Waikato for Organic Sector Conference

29 Sep 2009

The Director of Switzerland's Federal Office for Agriculture, Dr Manfred Bötsch, will address the Organics Aotearoa New Zealand (OANZ) Organic Sector Conference in November.

Dr Bötsch will visit New Zealand as a guest of the New Zealand government, accompanied by Dr Urs Niggli, Director of the world's largest organic research institute, FiBL.

OANZ Chief Executive Officer, Dr Jon Tanner, said that Dr Bötsch would deliver a keynote presentation to the conference, which has the theme "Innovate: Go Organic!"

"Murray Sherwin, Director-General of MAF, will provide New Zealand's response to Dr Bötsch and officially open the conference", Dr Tanner said.

"Switzerland places sustainability at the heart of its land use policy, valuing the contribution organic farmers make to the environment, as well as the economy.

"The organic sector is excited to be hosting this flagship event, with speakers at the leading edge of innovative farming, research and trade.

"Gary Hirshberg, the Chairman, President and 'CE-Yo' of Stonyfield Farm, will also address the conference, speaking on innovative global markets for organic products.

"Stonyfield Farm is the world's largest organic yoghurt maker, with annual sales of US$320 million.

"Dr Bötsch, Dr Niggli, Mr Sherwin and Mr Hirshberg join previously announced keynote speakers Professor David Montgomery (USA), Wijnand Sukkel (The Netherlands), Jean-Guillaume and Jean-Philippe Bret (France) and Andre Leu (Australia).

"With registrations available through www.goorganic.org.nz and 0800FUTURE, OANZ looks forward to welcoming anyone with an interest in organics to Waikato University in November", Dr Tanner said.

The Organic Sector Conference is sponsored by Agrissentials, ZESPRI® International, AGMARDT, the French Republic, the Royal Netherlands Embassy and the Embassy of Switzerland.