The Queensland Farmers’ Federation has concluded a tour of Queensland’s irrigation areas and found that farmers are overwhelming opposed to the State Government’s proposal to increase irrigation water costs.The State Government has commissioned a review into rural irrigation pricing in Queensland. QFF CEO Dan Galligan said when the review began the government said it wanted “frank and open discussion” throughout the process. “The frank and open feedback is that... ...Read more »

Author, journalist and science writer Julian Cribb has created a sobering text in The Coming Famine: The global food crisis and what we can do to avoid it, from CSIRO Publishing. Cribb’s view of the global food crisis paints a frightening picture: demand for food slowly outstripping supply, food production and urbanisation draining the world’s fresh water resources, food products siphoned for biofuel, developing markets with a taste for more exotic, protein-rich and plentiful dinner fare,... ...Read more »

The Coca-Cola Company and The Nature Conservancy announced today the release of a water footprint report in conjunction with World Water Week in Stockholm, Sweden. The report, entitled “Product Water Footprint Assessments: Practical Application in Corporate Water Stewardship,” examines three pilot studies that were conducted on Coca-Cola products and ingredients.A product water footprint is the total volume of freshwater consumed, directly and indirectly, to produce a product. A full... ...Read more »

Has the long-sought magic potion in society’s “battle with the bulge” finally arrived? An appetite-control agent that requires no prescription, has no common side effects, and costs almost nothing? Scientists today reported results of a new clinical trial confirming that just two 8-ounce glasses of the stuff, taken before meals, enables people to shed pounds. The weight-loss elixir, they told the 240th National Meeting of the American Chemical Society (ACS), is ordinary water. “We... ...Read more »

Businesses both large and small are recognising the need to integratesustainability as a core business strategy as they move towards a new future. Bickford’s Australia, best known for its award winning famous range of Traditional Cordials, recognises their responsibility of reducing harm to the environment as adirect result of how they conduct their business. Initially established as a pharmaceutical manufacturer in Adelaide in 1839, Bickford’s has grown and evolved into a leading edge... ...Read more »

“Today’s announcement by Opposition Leader Tony Abbott of an extra $300 million for on-farm works is a positive new investment in water-saving infrastructure in the Murray-Darling Basin,” National Farmers’ Federation (NFF) President David Crombie declared. The NFF has consistently called on the Government to accelerate delivery of water infrastructure projects to keep pace with its water buy-backs in the Basin. “The extra $300 million announced today is designed to forge... ...Read more »

Speaking in Orange today Australian Greens Leader Bob Brown called for a national register of foreign purchases of land or water in rural Australia.”In the coming century food and fibre production will be a huge issue as the world population soars to 10 billion people or more,” said Senator Brown. “It is important Australians know who owns the productive farmlands and water rights of our country. “Currently there is no register except in Queensland nor any vetting of foreign... ...Read more »

LAUNCHING its 2010 Federal Election Policy Platform today, the National Farmers’ Federation (NFF) slammed both sides of politics for perpetuating old mistakes and failing to seize initiatives to tackle emerging national issues – laying down the challenges and opportunities ahead. The NFF’s manifesto highlights policy failures and new opportunities that the next federal government must grapple with, encapsulated in four policy pillars: Population, Economy, Environment and Property. “The... ...Read more »

Mars Food, producer of the MasterFoods, DOLMIO, KAN TONG and UNCLE BEN’S brands, has taken out top prize in the Industrial Water Project Of The Year category at the Global Water Awards, held in Paris earlier this month.Queen Noor of Jordan presented the coveted award to Mars’ Global Technology Staff Officer (Supply & Sustainability), Andrew Hobday at a gala dinner attended by 500 industry colleagues and dignitaries. The Global Water Awards are the most prestigious in the water industry.... ...Read more »

SABMiller’s Head of Sustainable Development, Andy Wales, last week emphasised the need for ‘water-smart’ business practices in the beverage industry. Writing in the UK’s Guardian newspaper, Wales warns beverage companies that ‘quick-wins’ like water-usage labelling are not enough, and that direct measures – such as accurate water supply analysis – are required “We’re already working on industry-leading targets to reduce our direct impact,... ...Read more »