Gene Ethics has disputed claims by the Victorian Farmers Federation (VFF) that they exhibited a lack of ethics when publishing the suspected sites of GM crop farming in Victoria. Gene Ethics published a map of commercial Genetically Modified (GM) canola sites on their website on Tuesday in response to their concern about GM-crops. “Gene Ethics presents its online map of commercial GM canola sites being grown this winter as a service to the Victorian public,” claimed Bob Phelps,... ...Read more »
Victorian Agriculture Minister Joe Helper has indicated Victoria’s crops and pastures could be under threat with the possibility that plague locust eggs will begin hatching during spring in Northern Victoria. “The Brumby Government is taking action now to work with landholders on what has the potential to be a serious plague,” Mr Helper reported. “The combined risk of hatchings in Victoria and adult locusts travelling south from New South Wales or Queensland means Victorians... ...Read more »
IBM has signed an agreement with Matiq, the information technology subsidiary of Nortura, Norway’s largest food supplier, to use radio frequency identification (RFID) technology to track and trace poultry and meat products from the farm, through the supply chain, to supermarket shelves. IBM and Matiq are developing the first food tracking solution of its kind in the Nordics, which will help ensure that meat and poultry products are kept in optimal condition throughout the supply chain. The... ...Read more »
The Victorian Farmers Federation (VFF) has labelled moves by anti-GM group Gene Ethics, to place a list of names and property locations of farmers supposedly growing GM Canola on their website, as a disgrace. The map includes the property location of Victorian Premier John Brumby. VFF President, Simon Ramsay said that the release of unconfirmed maps of supposed GM Canola sites with the names of property owners was appalling. “This is a disgraceful and unsubstantiated witch hunt and shows how... ...Read more »
GrainCorp has announced that it has entered into a strategic marketing alliance with the largest cooperative grain marketer in the United States, CHS Inc. in order to reach new markets. The new marketing alliance will focus on the bulk export of durum from Australia and will commence immediately. CHS Inc. is a leading global durum marketer, with strong linkages to millers and more than half a century of durum milling expertise. The GrainCorp - CHS Inc. alliance integrates the Australian durum industry... ...Read more »
Australian farmers’ capacity to boost global food security has topped the agenda in talks between the UN food agency chief and the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Tony Burke. Mr Burke and United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) Director-General Dr Jacques Diouf met in Canberra on Wednesday. “Australia’s advanced agriculture sector and our position as a major agricultural exporter give us a box seat to be part of the solution to the food... ...Read more »
Taking the private label concept a step further, UK retailer Waitrose is to launch the first line of milk to be produced exclusively from the supermarket’s own herd of cows at its working farm in Hampshire.The 4,000-acre farm has been in operation for over 80 years and, as of this week, Waitrose Traditional Milk produced on the Leckford Estate in Hampshire will be available on the shelves of the supermarket’s 190 outlets. Leckford is part of the Waitrose Select Farm Milk Scheme, an industry-leading... ...Read more »
A consumer survey conducted by Organic Guide at Sydney’s Organic Expo has found that the reasons for choosing organic over conventional products has changed significantly to include climate change. A leading organic expert from the UK also suggested that consumer loyalty was stronger in the organic sector, which means they are prepared to pay more for organic goods. “Organic farming, with its emphasis on closed nutrient cycles, biodiversity, and effective soil management, has the capacity... ...Read more »
The European Commission launched a new Organic Farming Campaign at the beginning of the week to improve farmer and consumer awareness of organic produce. Under the campaign slogan: “Organic farming. Good for nature, good for you”, the promotional campaign aims to inform consumers about the meaning and benefits of organic farming and food production. The campaign will focus on increasing consumer awareness and recognition of organic products, and especially on young people and children... ...Read more »
Scientists in the UK are calling for the Government to allow them to keep sites for GM crop trials a secret in the wake of continued vandalising of crops by protesters. Under current European Union rules the sites of GM trials are required to be disclosed to the public and this has led to most of the 54 sites used in Britain since the turn of the century being damaged at some stage by protesters. Professor Howard Atkinson of Leeds University, whose pest-resistant potato study was destroyed in June,... ...Read more »