Leading Australian scientists claim that the discovery of large, widely dispersed populations of genetically engineered canola growing uncultivated in the US is no cause for concern. A study just published by the online journal PLoS ONE reported on the genetically modified canola growing ‘wild’ in North Dakota. The “escaped” plants were found statewide and accounted for 45% of the total roadside plants sampled in the study. The study’s author, Meredith Schafer from the University... ...Read more »

Australia’s peak farming industry body, the National Farmers’ Federation (NFF) and multinational Australian-based Westpac bank have launched plans for a Blueprint for Australian Agriculture. The blueprint will allow Australia’s food producers to help map Australia’s role in global food production over the next 40 years. Launching the Blueprint at Parliament House, Canberra, NFF President Jock Laurie said, “This initiative provides the opportunity for industry stakeholders to highlight... ...Read more »

Queensland’s Opposition party, the Liberal National Party (LNP), has demanded that the State of Queensland double its food production by 2040. LNP Leader Campbell Newman today launched a long term agricultural strategy which positions Queensland as part of the solution to a predicted global world food crisis. Mr Newman said, “There isn’t a long term plan for agriculture in Queensland and our extensive consultation with the sector found that producers and industry groups want government... ...Read more »

Australia’s second largest wheat harvest on record is predicted for 2011-2012, according to a report released today by the Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Science (ABARES). The ABARES crop report for the September quarter predicts Australia’s total winter crop production to be around 41 million tonnes in 2011–12. This would be the fourth largest winter crop on record and is an upward revision from the ABARES June 2011 forecast of 40.8 million tonnes. Wheat... ...Read more »

Australia’s national farming industry association, the National Farmers’ Federation (NFF) is calling on the Federal Government to ensure the future viability of Australia’s food manufacturing sector, without resorting to protectionist measures. NFF President Jock Laurie said in a statement today that it is in the interests of farmers to see a strong and vibrant manufacturing industry in Australia, particularly food manufacturing, but without compromising Australia’s long running trading... ...Read more »

New technologies and techniques are enabling Australia’s leading agricultural scientists from CSIRO to track a reduction in the levels of livestock methane emissions and develop solutions for a more productive, profitable and greenhouse gas friendly beef industry. The CSIRO research leader Dr Ed Charmley, has just announced that research conducted in the high-tech respiration chambers shows Australia’s northern beef herd is actually more ‘methane-friendly’ than previously thought. “What... ...Read more »

The public has only been given a month to comment on an issues paper guiding the formation of a much-needed national food plan – a period which is inadequate and must be extended, according to advocacy group the Sydney Food Fairness Alliance (SFFA). The Alliance, a network which describes itself as “advocating for a socially, economically and environmentally sustainable food system in the Sydney region and beyond”, said it will be making a submission by the August 5 deadline but says... ...Read more »

Kraft Foods is encouraging the Indian government to develop a comprehensive cocoa production development policy, claiming domestic supplies are too poor and scant to fuel its growing needs. Atul Bhatia, executive director for research and innovation at Cadbury’s Indian subsidiary, stressed in an interview with just-food that while cocoa is an essential part of his company’s business, imports are often essential. Production is not widespread – cocoa is not a native crop – and... ...Read more »

France will use talks with other G20 nations to argue for tougher rules on global food commodities trading, as surging prices pose a risk to businesses and consumers. France kicked-off two-day talks in Paris yesterday (22 June) to persuade G20 nations to impose caps on investments in food commodities, such as wheat, barley and sugar. Under its proposals, investors would also have to declare themselves as either speculative or commercial traders. It is the first time that agriculture ministers have... ...Read more »

European farmers federation Copa-Cogeca has supported MEP’s calls for greater funds to support producers following the E. coli outbreak in Europe.The federation on Tuesday (21 June) welcomed MEP calls to increase funds for EU fruit and vegetable producers hit by the E. coli crisis under the proposed EU compensation package and called for the Commission and farm minsters to act quickly. The announcement follows a debate in the European Parliament’s Agriculture Committee. “I am pleased... ...Read more »