Friday 22 December 2017

Brought to you by  Australian & New Zealand Olivegrower & Processor   www.olivebiz.com.au
Today's Top Story
We can still market ‘kalamata’ table olives in Japan!
The AOA has received some great news on its ongoing work with DFAT on EU protection of product names based on Geographical Indications (GIs). The Australian Department of Agriculture and Water Resources met with the Japanese Ministry for Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries last Friday about the outcomes of Japan’s consideration of a list of terms for which the EU wants GI protection – amongst them ‘Ελιά Καλαμάτας’, or ‘elia kalamatas’. The key outcome for our industry is that ‘kalamata’ will remain free to use for products marketed in Japan, as it is a recognised plant variety.
CEO Greg Seymour said the AOA is continuing to work with DFAT on behalf of the industry as the Chinese Government prepares its response to the EU GI process.
Australia
If you’ve got something industry-related to sell, you can now reach your target market directly with Olivebiz Classifieds. Our new online Classifieds service is an easy and inexpensive solution to advertising your unwanted equipment, extra oil - or even your grove. And if there’s something you’re looking for, it’s the ideal way to get the message out loud and clear to your peers and industry associates. 
Olivebiz Classifieds cost just $40/month for AOA members ($100/month for non-members), including a text ad and link through to either your web page or images hosted on our site. And you don’t need to be a tech-head: just send us your info and we’ll post it up for you.

The first Olivebiz Classifieds are online now at www.olivebiz.com.au/classifieds – where if you’re quick, you can snap up an Oliomio Processing Plant and be geared up for next year’s harvest. 
Who doesn't want to be fit for life? By educating the people to use extra virgin olive oil, Annetta Paterson with their own planted Olive Garden gains attention worldwide.

More international praise – and promotion - for quality Australian EVOO.
Independent consumer magazine Choice tested 23 olive oils from Australia and Europe to see if they meet 'extra virgin' standards. The results were great news, with the top five oils all produced in Australia. Cobram Estate EVOO Classic Flavour and Red Island Australian EVOO were the top tasting oils, with the Cobram Estate Classic Flavour scoring 85% and gold medal status. Red Island (79%), Maggie Beer (77%), Rosto Mellow and Woolworths Select Australian (both 76%), and Spanish oil Always Fresh (75%) achieved silver status, while Spanish oils Macro Organic Spanish and Moro El Primero (both 67%), La Espanola (66%) and Woolworths Select Spanish (65%) achieved bronze. Full results here.
Border finds: a succulent discovery
Six bags of live plants, bulbs, seeds, fungi and soil were just some of the biosecurity risk items recently intercepted by bioecurity officers during a search on a couple arriving at Sydney International Airport.
A detector dog called attention to the passengers, whose seven items of luggage - and clothing - were subsequently found to contain a significant quantity of undeclared plant and food items of biosecurity concern. In total, the consignment of undeclared items included: live succulent plants, bulbs, seeds, fungi, fertilizer, soil, pots, irrigation equipment, citrus peel and sausage.
Another timely reminder that new pest and disease incursions are a reality, and that we must be vigilant with monitoring and reporting of any concerning find.

Don’t miss the article on Xylella fastidiosa and Australian olive producers in the December edition of Olivegrower & Processor, landing in letterboxes this week. Not a subscriber? Join those in the know here .
Enjoying your weekly Friday Olive Extracts ?
We hope you’re all enjoying your weekly edition of Friday Olive Extracts (FOE), bringing all the latest industry news and events to your Inbox in an even more timely manner. THE place to share olive industry news and last-minute event reminders, the 2017 weekly format has been another great step forward for our increasingly popular industry e-newsletter, and we now have nearly 4000 subscribers across the globe. If you’re not one of them, you can sign up here .
New food labelling applies from 1 July 2018
A reminder that the two-year transition period to the new country of origin labelling for food ends on 30 June 2018, so if you haven’t got your labels sorted, it’s time to get organised. Tools and resources are available here.

There’s also assistance with olive-specific issues from AOA Code of Practice (Olivecare) Administrator Peter McFarlane in the June edition of Olivegrower & Processor – available online 24/7 to subscribers via the Olivebiz website.
Christmas is all about being surrounded by friends, family, loved ones and of course…. FOOD! Although eating your weight in Christmas ham is in the name of celebration, there are some yummy food swaps that you can easily slip into your Christmas table (if you’re anything like my family…. Christmas food tables (plural) haha!).

The one we like best: “Olive oil instead of Canola oil”, with good info on cooking with EVOO and the importance of freshness.
How’s your mental health?
Life gets tough sometimes, and depression and other mental health issues affect many of us at one time or another – in fact, right now three million Australians are living with anxiety or depression. But help is hand, with a range of mental health services available for Australians to access help at any time of day. 

The Black Dog Institute’s website holds a wealth of information on a range of topics, including: mental health and wellbeing; self-tests for depression, anxiety and bipolar disorder; e-mental health tools; getting help and helping others; webinars and community presentations; how to obtain a referral for its assessment clinic; and telehealth services.

And beyondblue provides information and support to help everyone in Australia achieve their best possible mental health, whatever their age and wherever they live. Take a look or call the beyondblue Support Service 1300 22 4636 for support and advice.
If you need emergency assistance, please contact 000 (Aust) or 111 (NZ).
Events
Entries open for 2018 Royal Adelaide Table Olive Awards
Entries are now open online for the 2018 Royal Adelaide Table Olive Awards, following a change of timing to February judging for the table olive competition.
The prize schedule and entry forms are available here or visit www.theshow.com.au for more detail. 
Prize schedules and entry forms will only be posted on request to (08) 8210 5211 or entries@adelaideshowground.com.au.
Opportunities
2018 Rural Women’s Award
Applications for the 2018 AgriFutures AU Rural Women's Award are now open. More information here
New Zealand
2018 Olives NZ AGM
The 2018 Olives New Zealand AGM will be held on Saturday, 24 March, tentatively in Napier. This will be preceded by a Focus Grove Field Day at Ngatarawa Olive Grove, Hastings on the Friday, and followed by a field trip to the Mohaka olive grove, one of the largest in NZ. Transport and lunch will be available, and the day will end with dinner and a guest speaker. 
Three Executive positions are due for nomination – President, Vice President and Treasurer. See information on the role and responsibilities of the Executive here.
The AGM information and call for nominations and remits will be available in January 2018.
International
Scientists in Pennsylvania say the untested claims of canola oil's healthfulness aren't based on facts and that it's better to stick with olive oil.
As Santa’s helper, you can give the gift of good health. There are many nutrition- or health-related items to slip into holiday stockings or to give to family, friends or co-workers. It lets them know that you think they are extra special. And depending upon their health needs, you can select particular items that will benefit them in the management of their disease or health condition.

The number one item on their suggestion list – you guessed it, EVOO!
A peer-reviewed study published in Scientific Reports by Bari researchers has confirmed the causal link between the presence of Xylella fastidiosa bacteria and Olive Quick Decline Syndrome (OQDS) in olive trees in the southernmost provinces of Puglia.
Trucks loaded with boxes full of olives were queueing at a press plant in this small Tunisian town as the North African country sees a surge in olive oil production in a badly-needed boost to its ailing economy.

and towards that end …
Tunisia’s olive oil industry is increasingly turning its focus to the development of organic processes and the marketing of its organic olive oils as a strategy to increase exports. A government official confirmed a national strategy to promote Tunisia as a producer of organic products to the world.
Co-operatives of Italian olive growers reached the highest standards thanks to smoothly-running incentive systems, while helping small scale producers enter the market.

Aim to increase both viability and product quality, this project is a win-win for all involved.
The report outlines the current state of the European Union's olive and olive oil sector and examines challenges and future prospects.
What's On
 
2018
March  - World Extra Virgin Olive Oil Tasting Team Championship, Priego de Cordoba, Spain Simon@savantes.com

15-23 March - ONZ Focus Grove Project field days – various regions, NZ

19-23 March  – IRTA Olive Oil Evaluation Course - Barcelona, Spain

9-10 April – Olives NZ Processing Seminar - Auckland, NZ

12 April - registration closes for OLIVE JAPAN 2018 – Tokyo, Japan

8-9 June - OLIVE JAPAN international trade show 2018 – Tokyo

24-26 June - Fine Food New Zealand – Auckland, NZ

18-19 October - AOA National Olive Industry Conference & Exhibition 2018 - Wagga Wagga, NSW


To include your event, or update your existing event details, email FOE editor Gerri Nelligan at  wordsync@bigpond.com
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Australian and New Zealand
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