Today's News - 07 January 2013

 “The British government and its GM advocates appeal to people with assertions that the technology will make food cheaper and more plentiful, and think the public needs only to be educated into seeing the crops differently. With GM, it becomes increasingly clear they could learn a lot from developing countries' caution.”
John Vidal, the Guardian, (4 Jan) 

Cattle: the beasts that will fill our bread basket
Farmers are learning lessons from pre-history on how to maximise crop yields and improve soil quality.
The Telegraph (4 Jan)

Inside the meat lab: the future of food
With billions of mouths to feed, we can't go on producing food in the traditional way. Scientists are coming up with novel ways to cater for future generations.
The Observer (5 Jan)

Genetically modified food labeling measure to qualify for Washington state ballot
Measure to require special labeling of genetically modified foods appeared virtually certain to qualify for the ballot in Washington state on Friday, two months after voters in California rejected a similar initiative.
Reuters(4 Jan)

Organic farming has lost glamour – Riverford boss
The farmer behind the UK's largest and most successful organic fruit and vegetable box scheme says his business is facing a crisis as fewer farmers are interested in producing food organically.
Farmers Weekly(7 Jan)

As Biofuel Demand Grows, So Do Guatemala’s Hunger Pangs
In the tiny tortillerias of this city, people complain ceaselessly about the high price of corn. Meanwhile, in rural areas, subsistence farmers struggle to find a place to sow their seeds.
New York Times(5 Jan)

Organics “Thrown Under the Bus” in Farm Bill Extension, Say Industry Advocates
“We’ve been thrown under the bus.” That’s how some organic farmers and advocates are describing the government’s “eleventh-hour” decision on Jan. 1 to extend the 2008 farm bill for 9 months instead of enacting a new 2012 farm bill.
Food Safety News(6 Jan)

GM farming and crops: news and resources round up
As the environment secretary presses the case for genetically modified food, the Guardian Teacher Network pulls together a selection of stories and teaching resources so schools can explore GM issues in class.
The Guardian Teacher Network (6 Jan)

Biotech's 10 biggest PR disasters of 2012
2012 was the year the lights came up on the biotech industry. Its claims, its tactics and its products all came under scrutiny and some of its biggest PR fairytales bit the dust. Here are some prime examples.
GM Watch (3 Jan)

Marine agriculture offers a new solution to the problem of water scarcity
Costa Rican academics are pioneering the growth of crops on freshwater lakes as a way of addressing food shortages
The Guardian (5 Jan)

Farmers hope to ban genetically modified crops
Supporters of a local ban on genetically modified crops filed signatures with the Jackson County clerk Wednesday in Medford, Ore., to put a measure on the county ballot.
The Columbian (3 Jan)

Change4Life advertising campaign highlights sugar and fat in food
Government TV campaign targets obesity after supermarkets agree voluntary 'traffic light' food labelling.
The Guardian (7 Jan)

OFC13: Soil Association dismisses GM food security claims
The Soil Association has dismissed the suggestion that genetically modified (GM) crops hold the key to future food security as a ‘red herring’.
Farmers Guardian (4 Jan)

Farmers 'should re-brand' as food producers, conference told
Farmers should consider re-branding themselves as ‘food producers’ in a bid to improve the image and accessibility of the industry, a conference was told.
Farmers Guardian (5 Jan)

Change in attitude essential to feed the world
The challenge of sustainable intensification, and how to overcome the various barriers, was discussed during a conference at Chatham House in London.
Farmers Guardian (6 Jan)

Farming Today
Annual TB testing is being extended to cattle across a swathe of England from Nottinghamshire in the North to East Sussex in the South. The Food Standards Agency is reviewing the rules on selling unpasteurised milk, a product which is already banned in Scotland. Mussels fished from Conwy By by traditional hand rake could join products like Champagne and Stilton, which have had their name and origin protected by the EU.
BBC Radio 4 (7 Jan),listen again

And Finally… Wildlife cameraman Gordon Buchanan comes face-to-face with a polar bear
The Telegraph (5 Jan)