Regulations on organic labelling to be tightened

You pay a premium for organic produce, but does greenwashing mean you are paying for a lie?

The Ministry of Primary Industries (MPI) is consulting with producers and consumers about whether it’s time to define organic in law.

Ivan Mansell, owner of Clarks Organic Butchery in West Auckland, said there were cowboys out there who took advantage of customers.

‘‘The term is very flexible at the moment,’’ Mansell said.

While Clarks itself was not certified organic, Mansell said they ensured full traceability to all their farmers, who were certified, ensuring their organic paperwork was in order.

‘‘The majority of our customers are looking for the ethical approach to animals as well as the organic production.

‘‘That’s how this shop was started, how it has developed and grown as more and more people look for that option.’’

Under the current system, New Zealand producers and retailers could use the term organic with few restrictions, leaving consumers in the dark over what they are buying.

BioGro communications coordinator Robyn Vickery said ‘‘greenwashing’’, where a product was made out to be more environmentally friendly than it really was, had become an issue.

‘‘Out of 89 countries, New Zealand and Australia are the only ones without regulations,’’ Vickery said. ‘‘Without regulation, producers are able to put the term organic on any packaging.’’

Jessica Wilson, head of research at Consumer NZ, said consumers were paying a premium for products without any guarantee.