Certification Information

Reg No 3626

Download NASAA Organic standard December 2004 (1MB PDF)

Below are the sections this document covers:

SECTION ONE – GENERAL
The National Association for Sustainable Agriculture, Australia Limited (NASAA) is an international association of organic operators. The operators endeavour to use sustainable organic agricultural practices, which maintain a balance of productivity with low impact on the environment, thus preserving the ecological quality of the land for future use.

SECTION TWO – GENERAL CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS
This period, referred to as Pre-certification, commences from NASAA’s receipt of the initial Organic Management Plan Questionnaire and statutory declaration (following the formal application made to NASAA). During this minimum 12-month period, an initial inspection will take place, at which time residue testing of soil and/or tissue samples will take place.
During the Pre-certification period operators will develop and document management strategies to detail how they will comply with the requirements of this Standard. Such documentation forms the basis of ongoing monitoring and evaluation of the system to ensure ongoing adherence to the Standard and progression over time to organic certification. The same documentation forms the basis of the Organic Management Plan.

SECTION THREE – PRECAUTIONS & GENERAL REQUIREMENTS
All relevant measures are taken to ensure that organic soil and product is protected from contamination.
This Standard cannot guarantee that produce certified as organic will be completely free of residues. Small residues of contaminants are found virtually everywhere on earth, and products may be subject to contamination from air, water and soil. However, this Standard aims to produce the necessary safeguards to ensure the lowest practicable risk of residues.

SECTION FOUR – GENERAL STANDARDS FOR CROP PRODUCTION
Organic systems are designed and managed to respond to the cycles of nature and to exploit opportunities made available through climatic events and to prepare for poorer seasonal conditions.
A fundamental part of organic farming is the need for a sound rotation. The use of rotations in both broadacre and horticulture is important to enable an opportunity for the field to regain lost fertility through natural means such as a pasture ley, legume crop or green manure, and to manage weeds, pests and diseases.

SECTION FIVE – INDIVIDUAL CROP CATEGORIES

SECTION SIX – GENERAL STANDARDS FOR ANIMAL HUSBANDRY
Organic livestock husbandry is based on the harmonious relationship between land, water, plants and livestock, respect for the physiological and behavioural needs of livestock and the feeding of good quality, organically grown feedstuffs.
Pastures are managed for biodiversity and soil conservation as well as animal production.
Organic animal management is based on the principles of balanced nutrition and feeding for prevention of disease and resistance to infection, parasitic attack and metabolic disorders.

SECTION SEVEN – SPECIFIC LIVESTOCK STANDARDS
Pastoralism carried out under organic management enhances biodiversity, minimises soil and nutrient loss and ensures animal welfare.

SECTION EIGHT – SOCIAL JUSTICE
Social justice and social rights are an integral part of organic agriculture and processing.

SECTION NINE - POST PRODUCTION
Processing and preparation of organic foods or foods containing organic ingredients is carried out to optimise and maintain quality and integrity. This is achieved through minimising processes, limiting refinement of foods and restricting or avoiding additives and aids whilst maintaining sanitation, hygiene and food safety.

SECTION TEN – ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS FOR INDIVIDUAL CATEGORIES
This section lists practices and additives covering specific industries.
It is additional to all other relevant requirements of this Standard outlined in the above sections, and must be interpreted in conjunction with these requirements.

SECTION ELEVEN - NASAA STANDARDS FOR BIODYNAMIC AGRICULTURE

SECTION TWELVE - ANNEXE