Today's News

10 September 2012

“If every village of average 100 acre size could shift to organic, the water saved would take care of the village's domestic needs for the next 20 years”
Sarvadaman Patel, President of Organic Farming Association of India (OFAI) – Times of India – 09 September 2012

Organic category remains resilient
Despite the recession, Andrew Burgess, Director of Agriculture at Produce World reports that sales of organic carrots have increased and research from the Organic Trade Board has shown that consumers are still very much engaged with the benefits of organics.
Farming UK (3 Sept)

Soil Association hoping for 10% uplift for organics this month
The Soil Association is aiming for a 10% rise in organic sales during Organic September despite another disappointing year for the category. It has agreed a more sales-orientated programme of activities with Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Waitrose and Ocado, involving more promotions and couponing than last year.
The Grocer (8 Sept, p.7)
Find out how you can get involved with Organic September.

Organic farming can help save the world from global warming
Responding to the recent University of Stanford study, president of Organic Farming Association of India (OFAI) Sarvadaman Patel talks about how he converted to organic farming after suffering the ill effects of pesticides on his farm.
Times of India (9 Sep)

5 ways the Stanford Study Sells Organic Short
Tom Philpott takes a closer look at some of the shortcomings of the Stanford University report on organic and finds five key points of contention.
Mother Jones (5 Sep)

Fewer pesticides make organic the safer choice
More responses to the Stanford University study published in the letters section of the New York Times.
New York Times (10 Sep)

What’s wrong with organic food?
Terry Wogan takes a cynical view of research into health benefits and concludes that people will eat what they want.
The Telegraph (8 Sep)

If the smug organic mob get their way, millions of families will never again be able to afford roast chicken for Sunday lunch
Marco Pier White celebrates the results of the Stanford University study.
Daily Mail (9 Sep)
Read the Soil Association's comment on the Stanford report.

Sudden spikes in global food prices to 'become the norm'
Food price spikes caused by extreme weather events like the
US drought will become the norm over the next twenty years, leading to millions
of deaths from malnutrition among the world’s poorest if Governments do not act
on climate change, Oxfam has warned.
The Independent (5 Sep)

Invest in agriculture and feed the world
The Financial Times reports on how investment in agriculture is becoming more popular in the face of food security concerns around the world.
Financial Times (9 Sep)

Protection from GMO cops
Local farmers in Jackson County whose seeds have been contaminated by nearby GM seeds have written a join letter to the Commissioner asking them to take action to protect their organic crops
Statesman Journal (9 Sep)

Health food on campus in the future
Arbiter online reports of an increased number of organic food available on university campuses across America, partly due to a sustainable food project initiated by Yale.
Arbiter Online (10 Sep)

Farming Today
The lovelorn water vole travels miles to try to find its perfect mate. Researchers from the University of Aberdeen have spent the last fourteen years tracking these romantic creatures over mountain and moor. Is the UK falling out of love with organic food? Rob Sexton from the Soil Association says the industry is better shape than it may seem. And, Charlotte Smith hears claims that some Scottish fish farms are causing unacceptable levels of sea bed pollution.
BBC Radio 4, listen again (10 Sep)

And finally…British Wildlife Photography Awards 2012
The Telegraph (10 Sept)