Today's news - 30 January 2013

 “A recent EFSA (European Food Safety Authority) report labels neonicotinoids as an 'unacceptable' danger to bees, which we think means they should not be on sale to the general public at all. A recent report commissioned by the pesticide industry shows that neonicotinoids are now very widely used in UK agriculture, and that must stop.”
Peter Melchett, policy director at Soil Association
The Telegraph (29 Jan)

B&Q and Wickes remove 'bug killers' blamed for decline of bees
Pesticides blamed for killing bees have been removed from the shelves of Britain's biggest gardening chains, prompting calls for similar chemicals widely-used on farms to be banned completely. Quote from Peter Melchett, policy director at Soil Association. 
The Telegraph (29 Jan)
Find out about Keep Britain Buzzing here
Our response to B&Q and Wickes removing products containing neonicotinoids form their shelves 
B&Q and Wickes pledge to withdraw products harmful to bees
With mention of the Soil Associations Keep Britain Buzzing campaign.
The Guardian (29 Jan)

Business partner: Riverford Organic Farms and the Soil Association
This is a partnership forged, if not in heaven, then in a strong philosophical affinity. Guy Watson, winner of the BBC's Farmer of the Year 2012 award and founder of Riverford, an organic farm that delivers 37,000 vegetable boxes each week, has close links with the organic food charity the Soil Association. With comment from Stephen Last, Head of membership and supporter services at Soil Association.
Third Sector (29 Jan)

More students looking for careers in agriculture, report shows
More young people are choosing to study agriculture at postgraduate level in the UK than any other subject, according to a report. The Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) revealed postgraduate ‘Agriculture and related subjects’ saw the biggest increase in UK university enrolment over the last year.
Farmers Guardian (30 Jan)
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A renewable future
With a global drive to turn to environmentally sensitive farming techniques, an increasing number of growers are considering switching to renewable energy resources. Featuring Soil Association licensee JL Baxter and Son.
Fresh Produce Journal Vol 118, Issue 02 (18 Jan)

Organic farmland hits 37m hectares
Organic Produce has had an uneasy time during the recession, but new research shows that 37 million hectares of land are now farmed organically.
FoodserviceFootprint (29 Jan)

BASF halts EU approval process for GM potatoes
BASF, the world's biggest chemicals company, said Tuesday it has decided to no longer seek European approval of its genetically modified potato products in the face of stiff resistance.
Expatica.com (29 Jan)
The Soil Association's position on GM

Horse meat: Horse DNA found in Spanish burgers
A Spanish consumer rights organisations has found horse DNA in fresh burgers sold in Spanish supermarkets.
The Grocer (29 Jan)

UK government is ‘anti-organic’: bakery boss
The UK government is anti-organic and is therefore failing “to promote its benefits” to the public, the boss of an organic and free-from bakery has claimed.
Foodmanufacture.co.uk (24 Jan)

New global water risk maps offer free knowledge and data
A new version of Aqueduct provides companies and governments with a free global water-risk mapping tool that can help them plan around falling water supplies.
The Guardian (30 Jan)

Congo DRC farmers go back to school as new techniques take root
Simple methods are improving yields of cassava and other staples, but conflict complicates life for farmers in South Kivu.
The Guardian (29 Jan)

17 EU countries flouting pig sow stalls rules
A total of 17 out of 27 member states are still not fully compliant with the EU's partial ban on stalls, according to latest figures.
Farmers Weekly (29 Jan)

Warning CAP budget cuts will jeopardise EU 'food security'
EU farm leaders have warned, ahead of renewed EU budget talks next week, that further cuts to the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) budget will jeopardise food security.
Farmers Guardian (30 Jan)

Farming Today
As horse DNA is found in Spanish beef burgers, MEP Dan Jorgensen says Europe needs more power to implement and enforce its rules throughout member states.
BBC Radio 4

And finally… Loony moons: How the full moons of 2013 got their odd names
Mother Nature Network (28 Jan)