Soil Association news

March against Monsanto

fnorris — Thu, 16 May 2013 10:03:00 GMT

More than 250 marches have been organised around the world in response to Anonymous' call for action against genetically modified (GMO) crops.

The Soil Association welcomes today’s decision by the EU to suspend the use of three neonicotinoid pesticides

ncollins-daniel — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 13:31:00 GMT

Emma Hockridge, Soil Association Head of Policy said; "This is a victory not only for the bees and other pollinators, but for independent science against the political, pro-pesticide position adopted by UK Environment Secretary Owen Paterson and the pesticide industry. The European Commission and many European governments have reacted responsibly to the British and European scientific evidence showing clearly that a suspension is justified.

St Jerome’s Field community growing project, Tay valley

fnorris — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 11:28:00 GMT

The Soil Association Land Trust exists to safeguard farmland and currently owns four organic farms in the South West of England. So its recently acquired eight-acre field in Perthshire, Scotland was something of an anomaly amongst these 100-acre traditional farms. However, it has shown how a local community can take food production right back into the heart of a village.

China moves to source GM-free soya supplies: why will Tesco not do the same in Britain?

ncollins-daniel — Tue, 23 Apr 2013 12:07:00 GMT

Joint Press Release: Soil Association, GeneWatch UK, EcoNexus, Food and Water Europe, GM Watch, Earth Open Source
Campaign groups today welcomed news from Brazil that China plans to source non-GM soya for customers that want it (1). The organisations highlighted the contrast with Tesco’s announcement on 11th April that it would be allowing its suppliers to use Monsanto’s GM soya as feed in production of poultry and eggs.

Soil Association comment: M&S, Sainsbury’s, Co-Op and Tesco - GM animal feed

ncollins-daniel — Fri, 12 Apr 2013 18:16:00 GMT

Following announcements from M&S, Sainsbury’s, Co-Op and Tesco that they will no longer require that the farm animals in their supply chains are fed a non GM diet, Peter Melchett, Policy Director of the Soil Association said;

“Tesco and the Co-Op are misleading their customers by claiming that the GM feed will not be detectable in products like eggs, milk or chicken. This is not true. Several research studies have found that GM DNA in animal feed is taken up by the animal’s organs and can then be detected in the milk, meat and fish that people eat. This has been confirmed today by the Government’s Food Standards Agency. (1)

Press comment: Waitrose removes three neonicotinoids from supply chain

hblack — Fri, 12 Apr 2013 11:39:00 GMT

Following the announcement that Waitrose is restricting the use of three neonicotinoid pesticides from its supply chain of fruit, vegetables and flowers, Helen Browning, Chief Executive of the Soil Association said;

Keep the pressure up for the bees: Email your MP

hblack — Fri, 05 Apr 2013 10:00:00 GMT

On Friday 15 March, 2013 the EU failed to ban three neonicotinoid pesticides. In the voting process decision-makers failed to recognise the weight of evidence against bee-damaging, neonicotinoid pesticides. However EU member states will vote again on the proposed neonicotinoid ban in late April.

Comment: Soil Association warmly welcomes the conclusions of the Environmental Audit Committee inquiry: ‘Insects and Insecticides’

hblack — Fri, 05 Apr 2013 09:44:00 GMT

Commenting on the release of the report from the all-party Environmental Audit Committee ‘Insects and Insecticides’ released today, Emma Hockridge, Soil Association Head of Policy said:

Research finds public health risk of living near industrial scale farms

ncollins-daniel — Wed, 27 Mar 2013 12:37:00 GMT

Research carried out in the Netherlands, Germany and the US raises new concerns about the potential health effects of intensive livestock farms for neighbouring residents. The findings raise serious public-health questions for planners considering proposals for a large scale intensive farm with 25,000 pigs near Foston in Derbyshire.

Comment: New study reveals pesticide combination affects bees’ ability to learn

hblack — Wed, 27 Mar 2013 11:50:00 GMT

A new study published today (27th March) has found exposure to a combination of pesticides (including neonicotinoids) negatively affects the brains of bees. The study is the first to show ‘field relevant’ levels of these pesticides have a direct impact on pollinator brain physiology.