Today's news - 28 January 2013

 “Take modern agriculture. Gandhi would have taken issue with genetically-driven intensive farming. Why? Because the key crop science is held by private interests and kept from small farmers.”
Rajni Bakshi, Indian writer, journalist and Gandhi peace fellow at Gateway House.
The Guardian (28 Jan)

Davos 2013: new vision for agriculture is old news for farmers
The media spotlight is on the role of smallholder farmers in poverty reduction and food security, but what they need is action on land rights and support to stand up to powerful partners.
The Guardian (25 Jan)

Consumers encouraged to eat “funny fruit” to fight food waste
Two United Nations agencies are encouraging consumers to add “funny fruit” to their diets in a campaign to reduce global food waste.
FreshFruitPortal.com (28 Jan)

Food shopping is full of ethical grey areas. Be careful what you buy – or fish will be a luxury
In the great mackerel row, consumers are caught in the middle desperately trying to work out what they should and shouldn't be eating.
The Guardian (27 Jan)

An Ecolabel for McDonald’s Fish Fare
McDonald’s has signed on with the Marine Stewardship Council to show that the fish it serves is caught in an environmentally responsible manner. While the fish is not changing, the deal will make the council’s distinctive blue logo familiar to tens of millions of Americans for the first time.
The New York Times (27 Jan)

‘US firms to blame for opposition to GM crops’
Indian Union Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar on Sunday blamed companies in countries with GM technology-driven agriculture, like the United States, for the opposition to GM crops in India, adding that they don't want the country to be self-sufficient in food, especially oils.
The Indian Express (28 Jan)

The relevance of Gandhi in the capitalism debate
Indian intellectual Rajni Bakshi believes Gandhi's teachings have much to say about capitalism and also about responsible business. She talks to Oliver Balch.
The Guardian (28 Jan)

How climate change spells disaster for UK fish industry
Grimsby was home to Britain's biggest fleet - now it relies on processing fish from Iceland. But if the EU imposes quotas on mackerel the impact on the Humberside town would be devastating.
Observer (26 Jan)

Chemical defects ‘last generations’
Scientists believe they have shown exposure to certain chemicals in the womb can cause changes that are passed through generations.
BBC online (26 Jan)

Ash dieback unstoppable, but fungicides could save most valuable
Ash dieback is unstoppable but fungicides could save a valuable few, the Government believes.
The Telegraph (28 Jan)

The myth of India’s ‘GM genocide’: Genetically modified cotton blamed for wave of farmer suicides
It has been called the biggest wave of human suicides in recorded history. Every 30 minutes a farmer in India commits suicide, crushed — say human-rights activists — by debt, moneylenders and the destructive policies associated with the introduction of expensive genetically modified cotton seed.
NationalPost.com (26 Jan)
Read the Soil Association’s position on GM and find out about the Cottoned On campaign

Be wary of Green Deal, warns consumer watchdog
Homeowners tempted by the Government’s Green Deal scheme should be “very careful” about what they sign up to, a consumer watchdog has warned.
The Telegraph (28 Jan)

Encouraging organic farming of fruits
Food is mostly still produced and handled in the traditional ways in Pakistan. However, with advancement in technology and changes in consumer preferences, the trend for production and consumption of safe and nutritious food is increasing.
Tribune Pakistan (28 Jan)

Funding allocated to help tackle fly grazing
Welsh Government Ministers have agreed to provide additional funding of £150,000 to tackle the growing problems of fly grazing, notably in South Wales.
Farmers Guardian (28 Jan)

First Time Farmers is 'good news for agriculture'
Channel 4's foray into the world of farming with its primetime show First Time Farmers is good news for agriculture.
Farmer’s Weekly (26 Jan)

Farming Today
The source of horsemeat found in Irish beefburgers has been traced to Poland.
BBC Radio 4 (28 Jan)

And finally… Year of the Snake: 8 freaky facts about serpents
Mother Nature Network (25 Jan)