Today's News

28 November 2012

 "The health of our bees is a real concern; once we have the full picture in the New Year I will ask independent experts to give us an up-to-date view on the safety of neonicotinoids."
Owen Paterson, Environment Secretary, The Guardian, 28 November 2012

Science under pressure as pesticide makers face MPs over bee threat
The debate over neonicotinoid insecticides has reached a crucial point, with MPs grilling chemical firms, out-of-date rules failing to protect nature and a row over scientific research.
The Guardian (28 Nov)

2012's Best "Big Food Ideas"
Sheila Dillon meets finalists in the BBC Food & Farming Awards offering ideas for our food future, from making more local food available online to redistributing spare food. Under discussion are Growing Communities in East London, Riverford Organics in Devon, Cornish Food Market, The Real Bread Campaign, and Fareshare.
BBC Radio 4 Food Program, listen again (26 Nov)
Teesdale shop and cafe in running for BBC Food and Farming award
The Northern Echo (26 Nov)
Soil Association licensees in BBC Food & Farming awards
Three of the Soil Association’s licensees have been nominated: The Cross Lanes Organic Farm is up for the best local food retailer, Guy Watson, from Riverford is up for BBC farmer of the year and Growing Communities are up for the Big Food Idea award.
Listen to the Food Program on 30th Nov to hear the winners.

'A bit of a hippy': Jamie Oliver jokes about Prince Charles as royal serves up rhubarb crumble school dinner
TV chef Jamie Oliver described Prince Charles as “a bit of a hippy” today for his efforts to promote healthy eating in schools.
The Mirror (26 Nov)
Find out more about this story, including a tweet from Jamie Oliver. 

'Neonicotinoids do not affect bee populations' - Syngenta
Experts from agro-chemical firm Syngenta will give evidence today (Wednesday) at a parliamentary hearing on the use and effects of neonicotinoids.
Farmers Guardian (28 Nov)
Find out why the Soil Association wants neonicotinoids banned and what you can do to Keep Britain Buzzing.

Christmas shoppers told to expect potato and sprouts shortages
Supermarkets say they may be forced to import winter vegetables as flooding and poor weather limits crops.
The Guardian (27 Nov)

Empowering farmers through SMS
Last year, the GSM Association (GSMA), the representative body of mobile phone network operators worldwide, reported that mobile penetration in Africa had reached 649 million subscribers – equivalent to around 65% of people – and was expected to reach more than 735 million by the end of 2012. It's a similar story in India, which already has 70 subscriptions per 100 people, with 53% of households owning a mobile phone.
The Guardian (27 Nov)

There was a young lady of Leeds...
It's taken a while but it's great that mighty Leeds has caught up with little Todmorden in the matter of growing vegetables in public flower beds.
The Guardian (27 Nov)

RSPCA stands by Gavin Grant's cull comments
The RSPCA has supported its chief executive in calling to "name and shame" farmers who take part in the badger cull, and confirmed it will strip participants of their Freedom Food accreditation.
Farmers Weekly (27 Nov)

One thousand tractors blockade Brussels in dairy dispute
Angry EU dairy farmers have sprayed thousands of litres of milk at the European Parliament in protest at falling EU milk prices and the decision to remove EU milk quotas.
Farmers Guardian (27 Nov)

Farming Today
Potato imports have doubled over the past couple of months following the worst harvest for 35 years. Sarah Swadling catches up with farmer who’s land is currently 6 feet under water. And the wait is nearly over until the winner is announced for the BBC Farmer of the Year. Anna Hill recaps on this year’s fabulous farming nominees.
BBC Radio 4, listen again, (28 Nov)

And another thing… Chasing Ice: glacial melting in the Arctic - in pictures
Chasing Ice, a documentary by the producers of Academy award-winning The Cove, tells the story of James Balog's mission to capture visual evidence of the effect of climate change on our planet. Since an initial trip to Norway in 2005, Balog has used time-lapse cameras in brutal Arctic conditions to conduct an Extreme Ice Survey to provide proof – in breath taking footage – that these colossal glaciers are melting before our eyes
The Guardian 27 (Nov)