Media Release
1 - 11 -05 for Immediate Release

Kiwi Elected to International Agricultural World Board

From a slate of 19 candidates, the General Assembly of the International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements (IFOAM), elected 10 World Board members, including 4 standing members. Brendan Hoare as the Oceania / Pacific nominee was elected on the first round of voting.

“It is great to be part of a global movement that shares similar ideals.” said Brendan Hoare. “With a mission of leading, uniting and assisting the organic movement in its full diversity and a goal of the worldwide adoption of ecologically sound systems based on the Principles of Organic Agriculture, there is a lot of work to do. I believe the Oceania / Pacific region has a lot to offer.”

“This region includes the largest (7.5 million ha) and some of the smallest certified producers who share IFOAM’s vision of making the world Organic. With this diversity, it is a great to be a part of the strategic agriculture revolution. I look forward to participating fully.”

With nearly 800 global members in 100 countries, and facilitating much of the worlds multi billion dollar growth, IFOAM is a democratic organization whose major aims and activities include: authoritative information, knowledge exchange, input into international policy forums, establishing and maintaining international standards and guarantee systems and building a common agenda for all stakeholders in the organic sector, including producers, farm workers, consumers, the food industry, trade and society at large.

“Apart from getting to grips with my new Board role, there will be an additional role of clear communication within the Oceania Pacific region.” Brendan Hoare said. “Both New Zealand and Australia have recognized national organic strategies and organizations to manage this, but smaller Nations throughout the Pacific, while progressing, have yet to get to that point. It is not a race though and prime importance is on getting it right and for everyone to have the courage to make the strategies work.”

“A key intent is for the Oceania / Pacific region to utilise IFOAM’s voice at a regional and national level where appropriate.” Brendan Hoare said. “With this region’s governments lagging behind the world in assisting the sustained development of Organics’ farming systems evolution, IFOAM can provide clear evidence and successful support mechanisms adopted over the globe that are applicable and or adaptable here.”

ENDS

Brendan Hoare, New Zealand – Brendan Hoare has been committed to organic agriculture for 23 years. Over the last seven years he has served as the President of the Soil and Health Association, the Director of BioGro and a Founder / Chair of the Organic Federation of Aotearoa New Zealand. Currently, he chaired the National Organic Sector Board of New Zealand, is the Team Leader for the Pacific-focused Journal of Organic Systems, audits a national participatory guarantee program and serves as Chair of the ‘econation2020 Trust’. He is also employed as a senior academic in Sustainable Production Systems at Unitec New Zealand, is the Director of the Unitec Hortecology Sanctuary/ Mahi Whenua, a certified organic demonstration and research facility.

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