Today's News

31 July 2012

"In the West many of us have grown up with cheap, abundant meat. Rising prices mean we are now starting to see the return of meat as a luxury. As a result we are looking for new ways to fill the meat gap.”
‘Food futurologist’ Morgaine Gaye on what we may be eating in the future – BBC News – 30 July 2012

Future foods: What will we be eating in 20 years' time?
Volatile food prices and a growing population mean we have to rethink what we eat, say food futurologists. So what might we be serving up in 20 years' time?
BBC News (30 July)

SAC and RSPB team up to boost biodiversity on dairy farms
The Scottish Agricultural College (SAC) and RSPB Scotland have teamed up to make a dairy enterprise an exemplar for wildlife-friendly dairy farming. The partners will work together to develop methods of boosting wildlife including bird, butterflies and wildflowers, at SAC’s Crichton Royal Dairy Research Farm in Dumfries.
Farmers Guardian (30 July)

Dairy industry withering on the vine, says Lord Morris
Former Secretary of State for Wales Lord Morris of Aberavon has expressed serious concerns for the survival of the UK dairy industry. Opening the Farmers’ Union of Wales’s iconic new pavilion at the Royal Welsh Showground, the union’s first deputy general secretary and legal adviser, said the dairy industry is “withering on the vine” because it is operating on an unfair playing field.
Farming Online (30 July)
Dairy industry is ‘withering on the vine’ claims Lord Morris
Farmers Guardian (31 July)

Lochhead pumps £100,000 into dairy group
A new umbrella association, Dairy Farmers Together (DFT) has been formed by NFU Scotland to build on the industry’s lobbying achievements over the past two weeks and provide a foundation for future Producer Organisations. The initiative was announced at a passionate rally at Lanark Mart attended by over 500 dairy farmers from around the UK and the announcement immediately attracted £100,000 of start-up finance from the Scottish Government. The Scottish Agricultural Organisation Society (SAOS) will take the initiative forward.
Farmers Weekly (30 July)

Fighting GMO labelling in California is food lobby’s “highest priority”
In case you had any doubt that California's Prop 37 -- which would require labeling of food containing genetically-modified organisms (GMOs) -- is a significant threat to industry, a top food lobby has now made it perfectly clear. According to state filing reports, so far the Grocery Manufacturer’s Association (GMA) has spent $375,000 on its efforts to oppose the labeling measure, with its members adding additional out-of-state lobbying power in the tens of thousands of dollars.
Huffington Post (30 July)

Activists campaign for organic farming
In their bid to minimise the use of pesticides in farming, social activists have begun a campaign - 'India for safe food' - urging farmers to change to 'non-pesticide management farming' - a model that has worked successfully for the farmers of Andhra Pradesh. In a workshop organised on Sunday, the campaigners demonstrated how excessive use of pesticides was poisoning foodgrains and vegetables.
Times of India (31 July)

Food price volatility a growing concern, World Bank stands ready to respond
Given the exceptional drought in the US, current crop conditions in other grain producing regions, and the resulting increase in international food prices, the World Bank today expressed concern for the impacts of this volatility on the world’s poor, who are highly vulnerable to increases in food prices.
Farming Online (31 July)

US farmers urge Obama administration to suspend ethanol quota amid drought
The Obama administration was urged on Monday to stop diverting grain to gas amid warnings of an "imminent food crisis" caused by America's drought. US government forecasts of a 4% rise in food prices for US consumers because of the drought have sharpened criticism of supports for producing fuel from corn-based ethanol.
The Guardian (30 July)

Mozambique’s agricultural fortunes rest on a choice between Obama and Annan
Mozambique is a development paradox. Rural poverty is increasing despite high growth rates and billions of dollars in aid. Now the country has been targeted by two contrasting models of agricultural development. The Barack Obama model was backed by the G8 in Washington in May, while the Kofi Annan model was proposed by the Africa Progress Panel (APP). Professor Joseph Hanlon asks which works better for the poor?
The Guardian (31 July)

Farming Today
Anna Hill hears how cow feuds and friendships can impact the health and welfare of the herd. British farmers are being encouraged to grow crops for fuel rather than food. And the weed, ragwort is currently thriving. Emma Weatherill visits a Warwickshire livery yard to hear about the damage it can cause to horses.
BBC Radio 4, listen again (31 July)

And finally…Animal pictures of the week: 27 July 2012
Number six is a particular highlight.
The Telegraph (27 July)