Today's News - 25 April 2012
“The Government should fund research that looks in detail at N2O emissions from organic systems to bring scientific understanding to the same level as will be provided by the ‘InveN2Ory’ project for non-organic farming practices. This will contribute to the ‘future-proofing’ of UK GHG Inventory, and will ensure that emissions from organic systems are represented using an accurate emissions factor.”
‘Just say N2O: From manufactured fertiliser to biologically-fixed nitrogen’ report – The Soil Association – April 2012
Speakers to debate ’the death of British farmland’
The All-Party Parliamentary group on Agroecology and the Food Ethics Council are hosting a talk to highlight the exponential degradation in the quality of British soils and the effect this has on food and farming. Launching their nitrogen report at the event, Soil Association head of policy Emma Hockridge said “we have a worrying dependence on manufactured fertiliser for our food supply. Making the most efficient use of limited nitrogen inputs will, by necessity, become a key driver for future proofing our farming systems.”
Farming UK (24 Apr)
Read the full report: ‘Just say N2O: From manufactured fertiliser to biologically-fixed nitrogen’
GM may have role in cutting artificial N dependence
Farmers fearing that manufactured nitrogen and phosphorous fertiliser supplies might dry up should rest assured. But economic and environmental pressures mean their use of them needs to improve.
Farmers Weekly (24 Apr)
For more in depth information on peak phosphorous and manufactured nitrogen, read the Soil Association’s two reports: ‘A rock and a hard place’ and ‘Just say N2O’
Jersey farmer wants support from government
A Jersey small scale farmer said businesses like his were struggling and he wants the government to do more to help. Mr Carter said that without support farmers were abandoning organic farming for more conventional methods.
BBC News (24 Apr)
Read the Soil Association’s ‘Lazy man of Europe’ report for more information on the need for government support of organic systems.
RSPCA searching for caterers, pubs and restaurants for Good Business Awards
The awards, launched today, aim to reward food service businesses both big and small for their animal welfare standards. There will be 12 winners in each of the categories, with judges looking for businesses that have a policy on ethical sourcing, such as using eggs from non-caged hens (organic or free range), free range or organic chickens for meat, and meat from pigs reared organically outdoors.
Caterer and Hotelkeeper (25 Apr)
LEAF expands its centre of excellence network
Suffolk arable farmers E.J. Barker and Sons are the latest entrants to LEAF’s (Linking Environment and Farming) network of demonstration farms. The Barkers, from Lodge Farm, in north Suffolk, join more than 40 other demonstration farms in the UK, which are centres of excellence for sustainable farming and demonstrate the principles of LEAF’s Integrated Farm Management.
Farmers Guardian (25 Apr)
Brazilian Congress delays forest vote law amid wrangling
The Brazilian Chamber of Deputies has delayed voting on controversial legislation that stipulates how much land farmers must preserve as forest. Farmers' groups say the bill will promote sustainable food production. But environmentalists say the new forest code will be a disaster and lead to further destruction of the Amazon.
BBC News (25 Apr)
Science and industry join to research crops
The Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council is announcing nine new crop science projects as part of the Crop Improvement Research Club. The research is aimed at delivering improvements to the main UK cereal crops - oilseed rape, barley and wheat - so boosting efforts to ensure food security.
Farming UK (24 Apr)
Pig farm suspended from welfare scheme
A Norfolk pig farm at the centre of animal cruelty allegations has been suspended from the RSPCA’s Freedom Food scheme.
Farmers Weekly (24 Apr)
Free Range Dairy initiative to be rolled out nationally
A Somerset farmer says he is receiving strong support from within the dairy sector for an initiative to ‘celebrate the benefits of pasture-based dairy systems’.
Farmers Guardian (24 Apr)
Farming Today
As attacks on sheep by dogs are on the rise, farmers make a fresh appeal to walkers to control their animals. And, a farmer explains why proposed changes to the Common Agricultural Policy is resulting in him digging up 100 acres of his permanent pasture. David Thompson believes many more farmers will follow his lead as they pre-empt the future policy protecting grassland.
BBC Radio 4, listen again (25 Apr)
And finally…European tree frog found in organic food in Devon
A European tree frog is being given a new home at a zoo after hopping out of organic stock Riverford organic in Devon.
BBC News (25 Apr)
