Three years ago I was in the dying moments of my public service servitude as the Secretary to a peak government-industry body for the organic food production industry. The industry's aims are admirable although rivalling groups jockeying for recognition as the purest examples of standards to be adopted by government and recognised internationally made the task of standard setting and monitoring most difficult (not to mention the rush of certain individuals to acquire power). After my third heady meeting with growers from all over Australia representing their various constituencies, I decided to find employment somewhere else. I was sick and tired of the games. The final straw, however, was the loudest, most arrogant organic grower/guru ( of European extraction) stating that he couldn't possibly have morning coffee because he was full following his "wonderful breakfast at McDonalds"! I just about threw up!
Close down every one of them I say!
Congratulation to Gil Appleton and her crew for their victory - however marginal and however won.
None.
