Today's News - 10 January 2013

"People are still asking for clear labels indicating the presence or absence of GM in the production of their food. So far the UK government and FSA have ignored demands for labelling of products from GM-fed animals. Supermarkets and food manufacturers have also failed
to respond to their customers' wishes."
Pete Riley, GM Freeze, The Guardian (9 Jan) 

Two-thirds of British consumers say GM food labelling is important
Campaigners claim the FSA survey results are a major blow to the government’s bid to win public acceptance for GM crops and food, and the Soil Association’s Peter Melchett comments on the importance of clear labelling.
The Guardian (9 Jan)
The Telegraph (10 Jan)
and in The Daily Mail (9 Jan)
and read the full Soil Association comment

Washout year may have hit nutrition and taste of UK fruit and veg
Heavy rainfall and lack of sunshine is likely to have reduced taste and goodness of UK-grown produce, an academic warns. And the Soil Association’s Emma Hockridge comments on how organic farming is less at risk.
The Guardian (9 Jan)
and in The Telegraph (10 Jan)

Half of all food 'thrown away' claims report
As much as half of the world's food, amounting to two billion tonnes worth, ends up being thrown away because of poor storage, strict sell-by dates, bulk offers and consumer fussiness, a report from the UK’s Institution of Mechanical Engineers has claimed.
BBC Today programme
and in The Guardian (10 Jan)
Read the Soil Association comment here 
Soil Association blogger Kathie Auton gives her view

Public health and use of antibiotics on intensive farms
Coverage of yesterday’s Private Members’ Debate introduced by Zac Goldsmith on the use of antibiotics on intensive farms (starts at 02.00 on player)
Parliament Live (9 Jan)

The antioxidant myth is too easy to swallow
People are hooked on the fallacy that antioxidants are a byword for healthy – perhaps because the truth is less appealing, says a Guardian commentator
The Guardian (10 Jan)

Hovis abandons British wheat pledge
The bread brand has abandoned its 100% British wheat pledge after the UK's poor harvest left the company with "no choice" but to import from the EU.
Farmers Weekly (10 Jan)

KFC nuggets v real food – it’s a no-brainer
The fast food system hinges on one slim peg: wilful ignorance. But it’s easy to step out of the trap and cook proper food again says The Guardian’s commentator.
The Guardian (9 Jan)

Shipping container architecture at Shanghai’s showcase organic farm
Shanghai's largest organic farm aims to be the Disneyland of ecologically sound agriculture, and is branching out into the hospitality industry with a visitors’ center constructed from shipping containers.
Mother Nature Network (9 Jan)

Farming Today
A Swedish entomologist says European experts need to exchange ideas on how to deal with the aggressive ‘Spanish Slug’. Unpasteurised milk can be sold openly in Ireland but its Food Standards Authority wants a complete ban. A scientist from the University of Aberdeen tells how genetic breeding could help plants retain nutrients even in rainy conditions.
BBC Radio 4, listen again (10 Jan)

And finally… A prize-winning photograph of ducks feeding at Clumber Park, Nottinghamshire, by Under 10s photographer James Aston of Doncaster, in The Guardian’s Week in Wildlife photos