A SENATE inquiry into organic food has been welcomed by the head of Tasmania's peak organic body.
Tasmanian Organic-Dynamic Producers chair Rex Williams said the industry had nothing to hide and the inquiry should show what the industry was aiming to do.
"I can't seen any problem with it, there is nothing to hide about it, it just legitimises the process that occurs right now," Mr Williams, who runs Kelty Farms, at Woodbridge, in Tasmania's south said.
"Every certifed organic farm has an audit process behind it, which absolutely legitimises the sustainability of organic production."
The Senate Economics References Committee is looking into third party certification of food; it is expected to report by November 30, this year.
Senators would look at the costs to producers and consumers of halal, as well as other certification schemes including kosher, organic and GM.
The inquiry would also investigate whether current schemes "provide enough information for Australian consumers to make informed purchasing decisions."
Terms of reference also included examination of the "importance of food certification schemes in relation to export market access", and the "extent and adequacy of information available to the public about certifiers including certification processes, fees and financial records".
The Australian Food and Grocery Council has welcomed the broad scope of the inquiry beyond merely halal certification, particularly the focus on the cost to manufacturers and consumers.
Mr Williams said TOP itself might put in a submission to the inquiry.
"Sustainability is a bit of a hackneyed word, as the ultimate sustainability is organic production and anything that backs the credibility of the organic regime is fine by me."
Organic production was growing slowly in Tasmania, with the organisation boasting about 40 members.
"It is particularly good for those who have an eye to export, because - whilst it may not be quite as well accepted in Tasmania, acceptance of organic certificates overseas is tenfold," Mr Williams said.
"There is a particular reason for buying organic food over there, the contaminants in food in South East Asia are considerable.
"If you have got an eye to export and you are not certified organic, you have to ask yourself why not ?," he said.
