Today's news - 01 February 2013

 “Whether their purchases are driven by a lifestyle choice, their personal ethics or special allergy requirements, today’s consumers are better informed than ever, and they expect to see more choice available in their local stores.”
Carol Dunning, event manager of Natural & Organic Products Europe
International Supermarket News (31 Jan)

New product innovations at Natural & Organic Products Europe 2013
Green & Black’s, Pukka Herbs, Green People, Faith In Nature, A.Vogel, Fitness Pharma, Solgar, Tree of Life, Lamberts Healthcare and Earth Friendly Products, are just some of the exhibitors set to transform London Olympia’s spectacular Grand Hall into a vibrant showcase of the very best in natural and organic products at this year’s Natural & Organic Products Europe on 7-8 April.
International Supermarket News (31 Jan)
Find out more about the NOPE awards here 

Pesticides used by British farmers could be restricted over concerns they are linked to decline of bees
Modern pesticides widely used by British farmers could be restricted over concerns they are responsible for a decline in bee populations. The European Commission said neonicotinoids, insecticides often applied directly to seed so the crop grows up resistant to pests, should be banned from use on 'flowering crops' for the next two years.
Daily Mail online (31 Jan)
Find out how to Keep Britain Buzzing
EU says pesticides linked to bee decline should be restricted
BBC News (31 Jan)

First butterflies, now moths decline
In the last 40 years two thirds of the 1,000 British species have declined and three species - the orange upperwing, bordered gothic and Brighton wainscot - all went extinct in the last ten years. Once common garden species such as the V-moth, garden tiger and spinach moths had seen numbers fall by more than 90 per cent.
The Telegraph (1 Feb)

100 birds covered in mysterious sticky substance wash up on south coast
RSPB investigates after sea birds are discovered on 200-mile stretch from Cornwall to Sussex.
The Guardian (1 Feb)

In the US, salmonella outbreak linked to pet hedgehogs
To reduce the risk of infection, it's important to wash your hands after handling hedgehogs, or anything the animals come in contact with.
Mother Nature Network (31 Jan)

Field work's dirty secret: agribusiness exploitation of undocumented labour
Agriculture has long been US industry's most profitable sector – at the expense of a virtually indentured immigrant workforce.
The Guardian (31 Jan)

Potash mine under national park will make Yorkshire farmers millionaires
At least £1bn to be paid out and 1,000 jobs created if planning application for mine is successful.
The Guardian (31 Jan)

Officials back deep cuts in atlantic cod harvest to save industry
Portsmouth, New Hampshire. Fishery management officials meeting here on Wednesday voted to impose drastic new cuts to the commercial harvest of cod along the Atlantic coast, arguing that the only way to save the centuries-old cod fishing industry was to sharply limit it.
New York Times (30 Jan)

New BBPA film makes case for beer duty freeze
The British Beer and Pub Association has released a film making an argument for a freeze on beer duty.
The Grocer (30 Jan)

Most farms to see fall in income, says Defra
Most farm types will see a fall in income for the year to February 2013, according to Defra statistics. In England, livestock farmers in less favoured areas (LFAs) are set to see a 52% reduction in income to an average of £14,000, while the pig sector will see incomes fall by half to £19,000.
Farmers Guardian (1 Feb)

No TB cattle vaccine until 2023 – EU Commission
The European Commission has told Defra that a cattle vaccine for bovine TB (bTB) is unlikely to be commercially available until 2023.
Farmers Guardian (31 Jan)

Wormer resistance risk in livestock could see tighter controls in UK
Dangerous levels of wormer resistance in grazing animals in the UK could result in tighter controls of anthelmintic use, vets have warned.
Farmers Weekly (31 Jan)

Farming Today
Charlotte Smith hears that the European Commission wants to restrict some pesticides to save bees. As B&Q removes neonicotinoids from sale, the National Farmers Union warns agricultural production could be affected.
BBC Radio 4 (1 Feb)

And finally… How owls spin their heads without tearing arteries
NPR (31 Jan)