OrganicAg News issue #11 March 31st 2014
NZ looks to regulationing the term 'organic'.
OANZ, Zespri and Fonterra meet with MPI to discuss the regulation of the use of the word 'organic' in NZ. Noting NZ was one of the last countries in the world to provide regulation pertaining to ..........
http://viewer.zmags.com/publication/a9c39bb8#/a9c39bb8/16
and some background on this topic from 2013
Voracious Worm Evolves to Eat Biotech Corn Engineered to Kill It
by Brandon Keim 20th March 2014.
One of agricultural biotechnology's great success stories may become a cautionary tale of how short-sighted mismanagement can squander the benefits of genetic modification..............
http://www.cornucopia.org/2014/03/voracious-worm-evolves-eat-biotech-corn-engineered-kill/
Women who eat organic foods no less likely to develop cancer, research finds
Million Women Study found avoiding food grown with pesticides made no difference to overall cancer risk
http://www.theguardian.com/society/2014/mar/28/women-organic-foods-develop-cancer
Sustainability Is The Organic Movement's Strength
""If only 10,000 medium size farms in the U.S. converted to organic production, they would store so much carbon in the soil that it would be the equivalent of taking 1,174,400 cars off the road or reducing car miles driven by 14.62 billion miles."
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/peter-getty/sustainability-organic_b_5019404.html
More farmers become food manufacturers
By Nicholas Robinson+, 26-Mar-2014
Organic farmers are increasingly moving into food manufacturing in search of higher margins and greater financial security, it has emerged.
http://www.foodmanufacture.co.uk/Manufacturing/More-farmers-become-food-manufacturers
Pesticides have 'devastating' effects on earthworms
Wednesday 26 March 2014
Pesticides have a direct impact on the physiology and behaviour of earthworms, a trans-European research team has found.
After having studied earthworms exposed to pesticides over generations, the team, made up of researchers from institutes in France and Denmark, found that worms in fields treated with chemicals only grow to half their normal weight and do not reproduce as well as worms in fields that are not sprayed....................
http://www.farming.co.uk/news/article/9703?utm_source=AF&utm_medium=site&utm_campaign=RSS
World business report: is organic food the answer?
Lord Peter Melchett, Soil Association Policy Director comments on the benefits of organic farming to the producer and consumer. In particular, Lord Melchett highlights the flaws in our current global food system commenting on how we are "growing food which is bad for people and terrible for the environment", he then goes on to point how the Soil Association's Food For Life Partnership is contributing to reducing obesity through its work in schools across the country.
BBC World Service (27 March 2014) http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/p01vpzww/World_Business_Report_Is_Organic_Food_The_Answer/
Finnish organic market has grown more than usual
The trade in organically produced foods grew more than usual in Finland in 2013, reports the German website Fruchthandel.de. The Finnish organic union Pro Luomu recently reported that the turnover made with organic products had grown by around 6% compared to 2012, to 215 million Euro. Fruit and vegetables were among the main product groups.
According to Pro Luomu the branch's increase in turnover compared to previous years is slightly smaller. But despite this there is still an above average growth, as the growth in the total food trade (+3.4%) was still beaten. According to Pro Luomu organic foods make up 1.6% of the total Finnish food turnover at the moment.
Duchy Originals Future Farming Programme announces research 3 grants.
Today (20 March 2014) the Soil Association has announced funding for three innovative new research projects to support sustainable agriculture.
The three projects, which have been devised to address important issues facing farmers practically and innovatively, have been awarded almost £50,000 between them, as part of the Duchy Originals Future Farming Programme. The results will potentially reduce farmers' costs and improve productivity and animal welfare – but could also provide great benefits in marketing healthier products to an increasingly aware and demanding consumer.
1. Black grass weed management.
2.Insects for laying hen protein.
3. Lifting iodine in organic milk.
Events
Go Green Expo.
April 4-6.
New Zealand's Premier Sustainability, Efficiency, Organics, Natural and Green Products & Services Expo
Website of Issue;
Organics Aotearoa New Zealand (OANZ) provides national leadership and vision for
the organic sector in Aotearoa New Zealand. Our main purpose is to.........................
Quote of issue;
"Anyone can call anything organic,but that definition is becoming more fuzzy, while at the same time the sector is growing to include major players like Fonterra and Zespri"
Brendan Hoare
Chairman OANZ
The NZ Farmers Weekly, March 24 2014, page 16.
http://viewer.zmags.com/publication/a9c39bb8#/a9c39bb8/16
Regards,
Bill Quinn,
Organic Promotions.
R.D.4 Paeroa. 3674.
www.organicag.co.nz
Organics'---integrity through transparency!
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