Today's News - 18 February 2013

 “Just as the challenges of persuading society that the deeply embedded habit of smoking was against its better interests, changing how we eat and exercise is now a matter of necessity.’”
Professor Terence Stephenson, The Academy of Medical Royal Colleges
Daily Mail (18 Feb)

Act now to halt obesity epidemic, doctors plead as they draw up action plan for tax on fizzy drinks and ban on fast-food near schools
Doctors today demanded a 20 per cent tax on fizzy drinks and a ban on fast-food outlets near schools to tackle Britain’s obesity problem. The Academy of Medical Royal Colleges has drawn up an action plan in response to the UK’s current status as the fat man of Europe.
Daily Mail (18 Feb)

Horsemeat scandal: 'government warned two years ago'
The beleaguered minister at the centre of the horsemeat scandal, Owen Paterson, has asked the Food Standards Agency to investigate claims that the government was warned potentially harmful horsemeat could have entered the food chain two years ago.
Guardian (17 Feb)
Read our latest statement on food regulation

Transforming Food, Agri Supply Chain
The operating environment for food and agri companies is becoming increasingly complex as new external influences compound traditional pressures like rising agri commodity prices, according to a new report from Rabobank. Now Rabobank has called for the industry to transform the way supply chains are organised, by adopting longer-term supply agreements and, cooperative relationships with upstream and downstream partners.
The Poultry Site (18 Feb)

The countryside in crisis
Rural charities and helplines are busier than ever as UK farmers struggle with floods, disease and financial woes.
The Telegraph (17 Feb)

Eating fast food regularly has the same impact on the liver as hepatitis, study finds
A new study shows that regularly eating fast food isn't just bad for your waistline, it can also damage your liver in ways that are surprisingly similar to hepatitis. The results were revealed on the television program, 'The Doctors,' where it was found that even just a month of eating fast food can cause significant changes to your liver.
Daily Mail (18 Feb)

After the horsemeat scandal, are you still a meat-lover?
Recent weeks have revealed some ugly truths about food production. Carnivore Nell Frizzell was so horrifed, she's gone vegetarian. Others, however, are taking less drastic action. Features a comment from Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall where he suggests buying independently audited products such as those that are Soil Association certified.
Guardian (16 Feb)

Council meat is ‘local and certified’
The county council has issued an assurance about the sourcing of its meat for schools, following concerns raised by the Conservatives. A council spokeswoman told the Gazette: “Their processes and that of their whole supply chain are inspected and assured by the Soil Association, with all meat certified by Red Tractor and the Farm Assured standard.”
Northumberland Gazette (18 Feb)
Find out about the Soil Association’s Food for Life Catering Mark

Farmers push to lift supermarkets' ban on GM-fed hens as they argue conventional feeds are too expensive
Farmers are pressing supermarkets to give them permission to feed the nation’s millions of egg laying hens a ‘Frankenstein Food’ GM diet. Currently most supermarkets ban their suppliers from giving hens a genetically modified soya or corn. industry organisations, including the National Farmers’ Union, the British Egg Industry Council (BEIC) and the British Poultry Council (BPC) are trying to change this. However critics say move would 'undermine consumer trust' in their food.
Daily Mail (18 Feb)
The Soil Association’s position on GM

New York Fashion Week 2013 eco fashion roundup
Green clothing brands show what we'll be wearing when fall and winter come around again.
Mother Nature Network (14 Feb)

Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie launch organic wine Miraval
On March 15 the power couple will release Miraval, a new wine label that will launch with a 2012 vintage pink rosé. Organic reds and whites are soon to follow. Each of the specially designed bottles will include the label "Bottled by Jolie-Pitt and Perrin."
Mother Nature Network (15 Feb)

Organic & Natural Beauty Show 2013
For the first time, the Organic & Natural Beauty Show is being launched in London on the 2nd-3rd June 2013 at ExCel, to address the growing demand for natural and organic beauty products. It is the first event in Europe to combine natural, organic, fair trade, sustainable, ethical, free-from, environmentally safe and eco-friendly beauty products from around the world under one roof. Top keynote speakers and panellists from renown organisations such as The Soil Association, CTPA, Ecocert, Cosmebio, Natrue, Demeter, BDIH, ICEA, Synadiet and IFRA are due to attend.
Cosmetic News Portal (15 Feb)
Find out more about NOPE

Arla Foods launches direct milk supply contract
Arla Foods has launched what it believes is the first milk supply contract fully compliant with all aspects of the Dairy Industry Voluntary Code.
Farmers Guardian (18 Feb)

Lochhead urges retailers to source local meat
Speaking ahead of a meeting in London today (Monday 18 February) with the UK government, retailers and processors, Scottish rural affairs secretary Richard Lochhead called on retailers to rethink their sourcing policy on all the meat and meat products they stock.
Farmers Weekly (18 Feb)

Farming Today
As farmers launch an ad campaign to regain consumers' trust after the horsemeat scandal Charlotte Smith examines how far its cornerstone, the Red Tractor quality assurance label, makes meat more traceable. As testing for horsemeat in beef products continues, the owner of a horse abattoir tells Farming Today he warned the Government in 2005 that the horse passport system wouldn't keep drug residues out of the food chain. And Hogget is en vogue among food writers, we find out what it is and why.
BBC Radio 4 (18 Feb)

And finally…Large dolphin pod surprises tourist boat
BBC news (18 Feb)