Today's News

30 November 2012

“It’s fantastic that the judges of the Food and Farming Awards have recognised how Growing Communities’ model of community-led trade can help build a food system that is fairer, more resilient and less dependent on fossil fuels.”
Julie Brown, Director of Growing Communities, East London Lines (29 Nov) 

Women in rural affairs, food production and farming power list 
Charlotte Smith lists some of the powerful women in rural affairs, food production and farming. The feature starts 12.28 minutes into the show.
Woman’s Hour, BBC Radio 4, listen again (29 Nov)

Hackney community food project scoops BBC award
Local social enterprise Growing Communities has won the Best Big Food Idea prize at the BBC Food and Farming Awards.
East London Lines (29 Nov) 

Scientists crack wheat's genetic code offering hope for disease-resistant crops
Scientists have used their loaves to crack the genetic code of wheat, in a breakthrough that could cut the price of bread.
The 'landmark’ project, led by British experts, should reduce costs by allowing farmers to breed crops that produce bigger yields.
Daily Mail (29 Nov) 
Channel 4 News (29 Nov)  

A more diverse picture in small-scale farming?
Globalisation is not sweeping away informal and local economies in small-scale farming but spreading in parallel with them.
The Guardian (29 Nov)

Russia wants to feed Europe with organic food
Russia seriously considers an opportunity to take up the role of a supplier of organic products within the scope of the World Trade Organization. Russian lawmakers are working on the bill to support the production of organic agricultural products. This law will help Russian farmers enter the EU market with organic products.
Pravada (29 Nov) 

Alan Titchmarsh says Tories losing connection with countryside
The Tory party has lost touch with its traditional roots in the countryside, according to Alan Titchmarsh.
The Telegraph (30 Nov)

Live debate: Social enterprise and food
Join our experts on Friday 30 November to discuss how social enterprise can succeed in the catering industry
The Guardian (30 Nov 12-1pm) 

Climate change is happening now – a carbon price must follow
The extreme weather events of 2012 are what we have been warning of for 25 years, but the answer is plain to see. Just a month after the second "storm of a century" in two years, the media moves on to the latest scandal with barely a retrospective glance at the implications of the extreme climate anomalies we have seen.
The Guardian (29 Nov)

Are we heading toward peak fertilizer?
You've heard of peak oil—the idea that the globe's easy-to-get-to petroleum reserves are largely cashed, and most of what's left is the hard stuff, buried in deep-sea deposits or tar sands. But what about peak phosphorus and potassium?
Mother Jones (28 Nov) 

First milk ups its milk prices to farmers
First Milk has announced a news round of price increases for farmers supplying milk for its liquid, cheese and balancing pools.
The Grocer (29 Nov)

How We Met: Patrick Holden & Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall
Independent on Sunday (25 Nov) 

Farmers fear for feed as floods batter Britain
Floods have once again devastated rural communities up and down the country. Although the storms have abated, the clean-up operation is still under way after widespread rain swamped farmland and caused chaos for hundreds of rural businesses.
Farmers Guardian (29 Nov) 

Thanet Council lifts ban on Ramsgate live export trade
Thanet District Council has lifted its temporary ban on the movement of live animal exports out of the Port of Ramsgate with immediate effect.
Farmers Guardian (29 Nov) 

Farming Today
As Thanet District Council has backed down over its ban on controversial live animal exports from Ramsgate, we get reaction from the National Farmers' Union and an animal welfare charity. For the first time, the genetic code of wheat has been sequenced in a way which can help plant breeders develop new varieties, with the potential to increase yield and reduce disease. And as the cost of this week's flooding begins to be counted.
BBC Radio 4, listen again (30 Nov) 

And finally... Readers pictures of colour
The Guardian (23 Nov)