The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission today released a decision proposing to grant authorisation to the Australian National Retailers Association (ANRA) to conduct a four-week trial of a 10c charge for lightweight plastic shopping bags. The trial is proposed to take place at Coles Supermarkets, Woolworths Supermarkets and IGA retailers in Narre Warren, Wangaratta and Warrnambool in Victoria. The pilot program, conceived in consultation with the Victorian Government, is proposed... ...Read more »

Forty UK food and drink companies yesterday pledged to make fewer and friendlier food transport miles, signing up to the Food and Drink Federation’s (FDF) Environmental Checklist and Clause for Greener Food Transport. The FDF believe this is yet another step forward by the food and drink manufacturing industry towards making a real difference to the environment. The signatories, including some of the biggest household brands in the world, have committed to using the ten point checklist in order... ...Read more »

CSIRO research, underway in Central Queensland’s cattle country, is investigating whether the integration of trees, pasture and livestock into a single agricultural system will produce greater net returns for producers and the environment. The ’silvopastoralism’ system is gaining worldwide attention as a potentially profitable land-use practice, particularly following the emergence of new market opportunities such as carbon trading. CSIRO Livestock Industries’ (CLI) project... ...Read more »

Pressure has been mounting on caffeinated alcohol beverages as US consumer groups look to ban such products. With binge drinking a concern, it appears the focus has now spread from alcopops to caffeinated alcohol products. Anheuser-Busch has announced that they will remove the caffeine, guarana, and ginseng from their flavored malt beverages Tilt and Bud Extra. The move comes as part of agreements reached with the non-profit Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI), which in February threatened... ...Read more »

The National Farmers’ Federation (NFF) is calling on the Australian Government to actively petition for new accounting rules under the Kyoto Protocol to ensure agriculture’s sequestration of carbon is acknowledged.”The Joint Standing Committee on Treaties’ examination of the rules under the new Kyoto Protocol, and how they affect Australia, is timely,” NFF President David Crombie said. “A full and sober analysis of how Australia will be impacted is essential.” “Australian... ...Read more »

Peak retail industry body, the Australian Retailers Association (ARA), cautioned that the proposed trial to test a levy on plastic bags at three supermarket locations in Victoria was not addressing the real issue of litter management. The Victorian Government announced yesterday that a levy of 10 cents will be enforced in three locations from August, with Coles, Safeway and IGA to participate in the one month trial. ARA Executive Director Richard Evans said the proposed four week plastic bag levy... ...Read more »

A proposed trial to test a 10 cent charge on plastic bags is planned to start in August at three locations in Victoria, CEO of the Australian National Retailers Association (ANRA) Margy Osmond said today. ANRA and the Victorian Government today announced that an application to authorise the trial of a temporary charge on plastic bags has been submitted to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission. Trial authorisation is required under the Trade Practices Act as it will involve retailers... ...Read more »

Scotland has announced progress in their quest to create their first ‘National Policy for Food and Drink’. The policy will set out to “boost the industry, support healthier and more environmentally sustainable choices and enhance Scotland’s reputation as a land of food and drink”. Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and the Environment, Richard Lochhead, has floated several new measures including: * A major campaign, led by high-profile chef Martin Wishart, to... ...Read more »

The issue of plastic bags has been the source of great debate over recent years with some calling for a blanket ban or levy to discourage use. In April, the idea of a levy was discussed at a meeting of State and Federal Environment Ministers but was dismissed due to concerns it might be unfair to households already struggling with rising interest rates and inflation. The Australian Greens Party has since introduced legislation to the senate to apply a 25c levy on plastic bags. According to the Greens,... ...Read more »

South Australia’s wine makers and grape growers are the first industry group in the nation to sign an agreement to accurately track and reduce their greenhouse gas emissions. Premier Mike Rann signed the Sector Agreement on climate change at the London Wine Fair with Orlando’s Chief Winemaker, Philip Laffer, on behalf of the SA Wine Industry Association and Jim Caddy, Chairman of CCW Co-op Ltd, on behalf of the Wine Grape Council SA. Premier Rann claims this is an important... ...Read more »