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<pre>I viewed on A.B.C. [ Australian Broadcasting Commission to outsiders]
television news tonight the disappointing revelation that 'our' [Australian]
most prominent producer of olive oil for supermarkets had acknowledged that the
oil contained in their bottles was not totally 'true blue' Aussie oil, but
contained a percentage of imported oil from Europe.
With their advertising and labeling suggesting that they were in the business of
promoting the emerging Australian olive oil industry this must come of a great
blow to those customers who had committed themselves to buying the 'local'
product for a variety of reasons.
What this will do to consumer confidence only time will tell but from the few I
have had the opportunity to speak to since this announcement would suggest that
they are now cynical of announcements by big olive oil business interests,in
Australia,as they are of 'truth in advertising' from olive producers in Europe.
For all the efforts made by key industry organizations to maintain a special
local high standard this must be seen as a severe setback.
I am curious why the ABC might select this one example of an Australian company
deceiving the buying public when such occurrences must occur daily. Are they
also so shocked that the Australian olive oil industry,for whom they held such
idealistic hopes, has let the side down or has someone fed them the information
for commercial interests?
There was some mention that this announcement related to the farming programme
'Countrywide' due to be broadcast Sunday at noon. Might be worth a look!

Alan Watt
Tanja Olives


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
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<pre>Alan Watt wrote:

> I viewed on A.B.C. [ Australian Broadcasting Commission to outsiders]
> television news tonight the disappointing revelation that 'our'
> [Australian] most prominent producer of olive oil for supermarkets had
> acknowledged that the oil contained in their bottles was not totally
> 'true blue' Aussie oil, but contained a percentage of imported oil
> from Europe.

Only really a problem if they didn't acknowledge the sources of the oil.
Which, I understand, they are about to do on the labels.

> I am curious why the ABC might select this one example of an
> Australian company deceiving the buying public when such occurrences
> must occur daily. Are they also so shocked that the Australian olive
> oil industry,for whom they held such idealistic hopes, has let the
> side down or has someone fed them the information for commercial
> interests?

Alan, you are in danger of becoming cynical ...

>
> There was some mention that this announcement related to the farming
> programme 'Countrywide' due to be broadcast Sunday at noon. Might be
> worth a look!

Watched the show "Landline" (on tape as we were pressing all day!!) and
was disappointed at the lumping of olives (where there is a 3-5 year
lead time) with ostriches and tea-tree oil, as examples of the "get rich
quick" type schemes. The only similarity between olives and these others
is the snake oil merchants who promote the big (200 000 tree+) groves
with promises of huge returns and minimal taxes, all the while raking
off the maximum returns to the promoters and none, or minimal, to the
investors.

Unfortunately, there is a significant proportion of the Aust Olive
Association membership (and of the board of AOA) who come from this
background. Marketers hold too much sway in the places where power is
wielded.

>
>
> Alan Watt
> Tanja Olives
>
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>
>
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[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
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<pre>My apologies to the international membership of this list but I feel I
must respond to part of the latest posting by John Attwood on this
subject. The Australian olive industry has the Board of Directors on
its national association that it, presumably, wants. There are plenty
who are willing to complain but very few who are willing to put their
hands up to do something about it. The ten members of the Board are
there by default and, I suspect, there has never been a proper election
where the members chose between candidates. If I understand it
correctly members usually accept nomination to the Board in the absence
of sufficient candidates.

If participants in the Australian olive industry want to see their
industry progress then it is time to do something about it.

Yours,
Dan Burnet

Unfortunately, there is a significant proportion of the Aust Olive
Association membership (and of the board of AOA) who come from this
background. Marketers hold too much sway in the places where power is
wielded.

>
>
> Alan Watt
> Tanja Olives
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<pre>The landline program can be read on
abc.net.au/landline/stories/s555983.htm (dont forget the http://www
stuff). The head company Timbercorp, ASX code TIM has been getting a
little attention from share trading forums lately (anybody got any tips
on gold?)

Should be interesting to see which hat Paul miller wears when he
addresses the Hunter Olive Assoc AGM next saturday. No doubt attendees
will have their faith restored.

Roger Farquhar

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
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<pre>>
> Should be interesting to see which hat Paul miller wears when he
> addresses the Hunter Olive Assoc AGM next saturday. No doubt attendees
> will have their faith restored.
>
> Roger Farquhar

Roger,

Paul Miller was wearing his AOA hat at the HOA annual meeting. He was
invited in his capacity as Chairman of the AOA and explained to the
attendees about the joint marketing ideas that the AOA and NZ equivalent
have to brand premium quality Aus & NZ olive oil as a reliable and
dependable product, independent of the label on the bottle.

He also mentioned that the majority of the Timerbercorp produced oil will be
sold directly to overseas interests, so can we expect to see Australian
olive oil joining Tunisian and Moroccan as "Produce of Italy" before long?

Shame you couldn't make the meeting.

Regards,

Mike Wilson.
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<pre>As a Board member I admit that I do own a suit. However, I chase cows
for a living, coupled with olives and tourism. There are some Board
members from the "big end" of town but surely it is as well that we have
them with their interest in selling our product. In not too many years
we will have quite a lot of oil in Australia which will have to be sold
to someone.

Are you a member of the AOA, you hide your identity under an email
address and do not append your name. If you don't like the way the AOA
is run, do something about it, I did!

Dan Burnet

the board would seem to be full of ex-soft drink salesmen or
other "suits" who just happen to be selling oil this year. next year,
they could just as easily be selling time-share on the gold coast.






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<pre>EV,

One has to be uncomfortable with a number of aspects arising from the
Landline programme and Viva's approach, however, they were operating in
accordance with our labelling laws as they now stand. For example, as
quoted to me recently, Margaret River Shiraz does not have to contain
100% shiraz nor does all the wine in the bottle have to originate in the
Margaret River area.

You will have to wait a while to see the outcome of the Board's
discussions. If you are a member of the AOA you will be able to read
reports of the Board meetings on the members section of the web site.

But, frankly, I still think you and others who have commented on the AOA
and its Board have missed the point by focussing on the detail of Viva.
If you are unhappy about the direction the industry, of which you are a
part, is heading then you ought to try to do something positive about
it.

We can continue this correspondence off line if you wish, on a more
direct/personal note if you identify yourself.

Yours,
Dan
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<pre>Mike

Yes I was sorry to miss the meeting, my faith is still unrestored. Prior
engagements etc. My understanding was that one third of the oil from
Timbercorp has been presold as a put option to Costa d'Oro at market
prices. I dont know if this could be traded or what those market prices are.

Roger Farquhar

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<pre>Much has been said on the Landline show. I agree with Dan, the
matter should be put to bed and focus on issues going forward.
However, one important matter has been overlooked. Media always like
to have a slant on stories that can create controversy or bring out
the negatives. Rarely do they bring out the positives, although
Landline is an exception their stories are generally positive. The
point I wish to make is that when dealing with any form of media
bring out the positives of the industry in all cases. Encourage the
benefits of all forms of the olive products not just EVO but all oil
in a positive way. eg Don't say pure or lite is rubbish just say EV
is the best and why. Even if a new customer prefers pure then at
worst the industry has a new customer.

The Landline show did a wonderful job in bringing matters to the
front that needed to be addressed. It is now up to the AOA to try
and correct labeling laws with the Government etc. It would be a
great boost for Australians if true to labeling were accurate. We
have taken QA seriously with Olive Care , perhaps we can also set the
standards with "true to labeling"

Good comments Bryan/Dan and the responses encouraging to see.
Ian --



- In OliveOil@y..., "Dan Burnet" <springgullyolives@b...> wrote:
> EV,
>
> One has to be uncomfortable with a number of aspects arising from
the
> Landline programme and Viva's approach, however, they were
operating in
> accordance with our labelling laws as they now stand. For
example, as
> quoted to me recently, Margaret River Shiraz does not have to
contain
> 100% shiraz nor does all the wine in the bottle have to originate
in the
> Margaret River area.
>
> You will have to wait a while to see the outcome of the Board's
> discussions. If you are a member of the AOA you will be able to
read
> reports of the Board meetings on the members section of the web
site.
>
> But, frankly, I still think you and others who have commented on
the AOA
> and its Board have missed the point by focussing on the detail of
Viva.
> If you are unhappy about the direction the industry, of which you
are a
> part, is heading then you ought to try to do something positive
about
> it.
>
> We can continue this correspondence off line if you wish, on a more
> direct/personal note if you identify yourself.
>
> Yours,
> Dan
</pre>
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