Today's News

01 November 2012

 “People want to know that the products they are using are not contributing to deforestation and climate change, and many UK businesses are already starting to make changes.”
Richard Benyon, Environment Minister,
The Grocer, 30 October 2012

Food production may cause almost one third of greenhouse gas, says study
Food production accounts for up to 29% of man-made greenhouse gases, twice the amount the United Nations has estimated comes from farming, a study published on Wednesday said. Looking at emissions across the food system - including forest clearance, fertiliser production and transport - rather than just farming itself - agriculture research organisation CGIAR said much more work was needed to cut climate change emissions from food.
Huffington Post (30 Oct)

Potash in talks to buy Israel Chemicals
Potash Corporation of Saskatchewan, one of the world’s largest fertiliser groups, has approached the Israeli government to win approval to buy rival Israel Chemicals, the Tel Aviv listed group with a $15bn market capitalisation. The companies disclosed the talks in regulatory statements on Wednesday, warning the discussions were preliminary and there was no assurance of a deal.
Financial Times (31 Oct)

Seed companies nearing deal on off-patent GMO technology
The U.S. seed industry said Wednesday it was a step closer to establishing a broad framework for the handling of genetically modified seed technology as product patents expire. The American Seed Trade Association (ASTA) and the Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO) said they have completed the first phase of an industry accord that addresses post-patent, single-trait seed biotechnology.
Reuters (31 Oct)

Is the junk food industry buying the WHO?
Tom Philpott writes that, as evidence of harm piles up, the industry is only accelerating its effort to keep government action at bay. Back in April, a Reuters investigative report found that the food industry had "more than doubled" its annual lobbying spending under Obama, and had successfully pursued a strategy of "pledging voluntary action while defeating government proposals aimed at changing the nation's diet."
Mother Jones (1 Nov)

Bolivian farmers urge rethink of Mother Earth law
Soy farmers in Bolivia are urging leftist president Evo Morales to reconsider a ban on genetically modified seeds contained in a package of environmental legislation called the Mother Earth law.
Reuters (31 Oct)

Potato crops at risk of write-off
The struggle continues for our Crop Watch agronomists this week, particularly in Scotland where ware potato crops are at risk of being left in the ground to rot.
Farmers Weekly (31 Oct)

Moy Park brand to be sold in Northern Ireland Tescos
Poultry Processor Moy Park has announced nine of its branded products have gone on sale in Tesco stores in Northern Ireland.
Farmers Weekly (31 Oct)

NBA and NPA launch attack on Sainsbury's Red Tractor move
Two leading industry organisations have called in to question Sainsbury’s decision to drop the Red Tractor logo.
Farmers Guardian (30 Oct)

Government makes sustainable palm oil pledge
The UK government has published a national statement on palm oil and announced it is to move to 100% sustainable palm oil in the food it buys by the end of 2015.
The Grocer (30 Oct)

Farming Today
Schmallenberg virus has been discovered for the first time in Northern Ireland raising concerns for sheep farmers. The Forestry Commission tells Farming Today that walkers should wash their feet and avoid lifting leaves and branches to prevent the spread of Chalara - the deadly ash disease. A National Park in the Mourne Mountains has been shelved by Stormont Environment minister Alex Atwood.
BBC Radio 4, listen again (1 Nov)

And finally…Royal Horticultural Society photographic competition 2012 - winning pictures
Some of the winning images from the Royal Horticultural Society's annual photographic competition
The Guardian
(29 Oct)