Organic news archive: August 2004
Modern farming practices and changes in the weather have altered habitats and led to a dramatic reduction in many species of songbirds including the cuckoo and even the starling, renowned for its resilience, according to leading ornithologist Michael Waterhouse. (Daily Mail � 30/8/04)
Judges are to be given tough powers to protect Britain from pollution and over-development under proposals for a new environmental court. The Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has commissioned two reports which back the creation of a dedicated court headed by senior judges specialising in environmental law. The move follows concern that the legal system has failed to meet the growing threat posed by industry and multi-national companies. The new court would have a wide jurisdiction, hearing prosecutions against polluters, settling planning disputes as well as dealing with other potential threats to the environment, such as the siting of GM crops, wind turbines or even airports. (The Independent � 28/8/04)
Green-fingered rock star Sting has gone into the fruit and veg business. The former Police frontman is supplying a local shop with produce from the [Soil Association certified] 60-acre organic garden on his country estate in Wiltshire. (Daily Express; The Sunday Times)
Friends of the Earth revealed that scientists have been called by the World Trade Organisation to debate the safety of Genetically Modified (GM) foods and crops. The move is a blow to the Bush Administration, which fought to stop any
Modern farming practices and changes in the weather have altered habitats and led to a dramatic reduction in many species of songbirds including the cuckoo and even the starling, renowned for its resilience, according to leading ornithologist Michael Waterhouse. (Daily Mail � 30/8/04)
Judges are to be given tough powers to protect Britain from pollution and over-development under proposals for a new environmental court. The Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has commissioned two reports which back the creation of a dedicated court headed by senior judges specialising in environmental law. The move follows concern that the legal system has failed to meet the growing threat posed by industry and multi-national companies. The new court would have a wide jurisdiction, hearing prosecutions against polluters, settling planning disputes as well as dealing with other potential threats to the environment, such as the siting of GM crops, wind turbines or even airports. (The Independent � 28/8/04)
Green-fingered rock star Sting has gone into the fruit and veg business. The former Police frontman is supplying a local shop with produce from the [Soil Association certified] 60-acre organic garden on his country estate in Wiltshire. (Daily Express; The Sunday Times)
Friends of the Earth revealed that scientists have been called by the World Trade Organisation to debate the safety of Genetically Modified (GM) foods and crops. The move is a blow to the Bush Administration, which fought to stop any