Kota Kinabalu, Thurs.- Bandau member of parliament Dr Maximus Ongkili has called for the formulation of a national policy on organic farming consistent with the nation’s goal of producing safe, nutritious and high quality foods from the agricultural sector.

Debating the Supplementary Supply (2000 and 2001) Bill 2001 for the ministry of agriculture at the committee stage yesterday, he said food production through organic farming was growing fast especially in Western Europe with Germany aiming to produce 20 per cent of its foods from organic agriculture within the next ten years.

"Organic farming means using methods in tune with nature, enhancing the local eco-system without adding synthetic substances such as chemical fertilisers and pesticides," he explained.

Ongkili who is also PBS deputy president claimed thus far the national government did not have a clear policy and guideline on organic farming thereby giving little encouragement on the production of safe and nutritious foods through organic agriculture.

He said it was only a matter of time before consumers including foreign tourists began to demand foods especially vegetables grown free of chemical fertilisers and pesticides.

Stressing that future demand for farm foods will be increasingly driven by safety and quality considerations, Ongkili urged the ministry of agriculture to provide proper guidelines and incentives for the expansion of the organic farming sub-sector.

There was also an urgent need to ensure that organic farming was truly "organic" and for this purpose the ministry should initiate the establishment of standards and certification, he added.