Today's News

31 August 2012

“I feel passionately that local, organically produced food should be there for people."
Nikki Giles, Founder, Flintshare – Flintshire Chronicle – 30 August 2012

Community Supported Agriculture flourishes in Flintshire
As part of its Better Organic Business Links project Organic Centre Wales is urging growers to find out more about community supported agriculture at a public meeting.
Flintshire Chronicle (30 August)
Find out more about Community Supported Agriculture.

European Commission delays action on controversial pesticide
The European Commission is asking the European Food Safety Agency to carry out an assessment to examine the possible link between neonicotinoids and bee health before making a decision based on the EFSA’s findings.
Farming Online (30 August)
Find out more about why neonicotinoids are bad for bees.

Bats at risk from pesticide exposure
Research published this week in Germany has suggested that agricultural chemicals may be having a damaging effect on some of Europe’s iconic mammals.
Farming Online (30 August)

Japanese pledge improves organic cotton prospects
Two Japanese companies have responded to a global initiative that encourages companies to combine commercial success and sustainable development by pledging to back organic cotton farmers in India.
Ecotextile (30 August)

From organic veg to solar panels - one school's eco journey
The Guardian showcases Little Kingshill Combined Primary School in Buckinghamshire, where green-fingered pupils and an environmentally-friendly ethos are being organically cultivated.
The Guardian (30 August)
Discover more ways that schools can become green through the Food For Life Partnership*

Food prices jump will hit poor, World Bank warns
Global food prices have leapt by 10% in the month of July, raising fears of soaring prices for the planet’s poorest, the World Bank has warned. The bank said that a US heatwave and drought in parts of Europe were partly to blame for the rising costs.
BBC (30 Aug)

Eco-commune flourishes as Greek economy withers
A group of friends startled Greek villagers when they quit well-paid jobs in Athens to set up a self-sufficient commune. 2 years on, with Greece's economy in freefall, nearly one in four out of work and the desperate jobless turning to the land to survive, the group's focus on growing their own organic produce and cutting down their reliance on money suddenly make practical sense to many Greeks - and some are now turning to the vegan commune for advice.
Reuters (30 August)

Delay badger cull until EU review, urge campaigners
Actors and celebrities sign open letter calling for a delay to the autumn cull until the EU has a chance to review the case.
The Guardian (30 August)

And finally…Mighty meaty
A new breed of post hot dogs eschews mysterious ingredients and slapdash production for fabulous fillings and sensitive spicing, as Anthea Gerrie discovers. Helen Browning’s (http://www.helenbrowningsorganic.co.uk/organic-hot-dogs.html) delicious organic hot dogs are featured: “Meatier than most at 97% pork, but with the proper snap of a frank.”
The Independent (31 Aug, p.38)

*The Food for Life Partnership (www.foodforlife.org.uk) is a network of schools and communities across England committed to transforming food culture. Together we are revolutionising schools meals, reconnecting young people with farms and inspiring families to cook and grow food.

The is led by the Soil Association, bringing together the practical expertise of the Focus on Food Campaign, Garden Organic and the Health Education Trust.