IFOAM President Stresses Organics Role on Environment

by Editorial

Newly elected IFOAM President Katherine DiMatteo said she will encourage the federation's multi-national board to promote the role of organics in a time of climate change.

"Organic principles and practices improve world food systems and help mitigate climate change", said DiMatteo.  DiMatteo, senior associate at Wolf, DiMatteo + Associates and former executive director of the Organic Trade Association (OTA) was elected President of the World Board of the International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements (IFOAM) at IFOAM's General Assembly in Vignola, Italy. 

"I will do my best to promote our mission of leading, uniting and assisting the organic movement in its full diversity," said DiMatteo. She said she looks forward to working with IFOAM World Board and to helping IFOAM's Executive Director Angela Caudle de Freitas grow the organization.  "My top priorities are for IFOAM to become a strong advocate for organic agriculture at all levels, to foster harmonization, equivalence and equitable trade, and to facilitate discussions on the future of organic," she said.

DiMatteo will head the ten-member IFOAM World Board for the next three years.  Other members are from Australia, India, Italy, Japan, Malaysia, Peru, the Philippines, Switzerland, and Uganda, spanning five continents. Roberto Ugas of Peru and Urs Niggli of Switzerland were named Vice-Presidents and with DiMatteo will comprise the IFOAM executive committee.

 "The organic community is facing substantial challenges and even bigger opportunities to help solve critical global environmental problems and deliver better, healthier food and fibre systems.  Katherine is held in high esteem worldwide in the organic, environmental, and agricultural communities and has the experience and skills to bring people together in this effort,"said Bill Wolf, President of Wolf DiMatteo + Associates.  

"OTA congratulates IFOAM for choosing Katherine DiMatteo, who during her tenure at OTA became the principal spokesperson for the organic business community in the United States and a respected global leader, particularly in helping build consensus on organic standards and practices. I believe her leadership as President of IFOAM's World Board will be a great boon for organic agriculture around the world," said Caren Wilcox, OTA’s current Executive Director.

OTA is a member of IFOAM. DiMatteo served as Executive Director of OTA from 1990-2006. IFOAM has international membership and functions on a democratic basis to ensure representation for all parties. A ten-member World Board is chosen by fair elections and then selects a president for the group.

IFOAM is dedicated to advancing the organic food movement around the world and regularly discusses issues of relevance and importance to that community.

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