Organic news archive: April 2005
The European Commission is to come down hard on member states continuing to ban GM crops approved by EU scientists. They must rescind these bans or be overruled by Brussels. The Commission is also struggling to introduce GM labelling regulations and to agree coexistence rules to separate GM and non-GM crops.
Organic Farmers and Growers, the UK's second largest organic certification body, is warning farmers to take note of a key rule change if they are thinking of making a switch to organic farming. Under the new rules of the new Organic Entry Level Scheme (OELS) applicants must have completed the inspection process and have a certificate before they can be considered for the new OELS payment. (Farmers Weekly)
We applaud the departure of Sir John Krebs as Head of the Food Standards Agency. He used his position to support GM corporations and undermine organic food whenever possible, despite outstanding public opinion to the contrary. And he personally creeped me out more than any other career politician I've ever met. (Food Standards Agency)
Food manufacturers are using huge quantities of water to bulk up meat products, an investigation has revealed. Up to 30 per cent of the weight of non-organic processed products like ham, turkey and hot dogs can be a cocktail of water, salts, flavourings and E-numbers, according to the Food Commission. With all the additives taken into account, some well-known brands consist of less than 50 per cent actual meat. (The Daily Mail)
Consumers have tired of been told they should eat healthy food. Research suggests that the nation is suffering fatigue from campaigns encouraging it to improve its diet. Nearly 70 per cent of people told data analysts Mintel that it was hard to choose a good diet as advice from experts had changed. (The Times)
Policy makers from key European anti-GM member states will not let the issue of the illegal import of Syngenta's BT 10 maize go. The USA is insisting trade with Europe in maize-based livestock feeds will continue. (Farmers Guardian)
A new report published by the Agriculture and Environment Biotechnology Commission states that about £100 million of public funds are spent each year on agricultural biotechnology research in the UK. The largest amount is spent by the Biotechnological and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC). In comparison, Defra's annual budget for research and development into organic farming is only £2 million. AEBC is an independent body set up by the Government.
Scientists have begun putting genes from human beings into food crops in a dramatic extension of genetic modification. The move, which is causing disgust and revulsion among critics, is bound to strengthen accusations that GM technology is creating "Frankenstein foods" and drive the controversy surrounding it to new heights. In the first modification of its kind, Japanese researchers have inserted a gene from the human liver into rice to enable it to digest pesticides and industrial chemicals. The gene makes an enzyme, code-named CPY2B6, which is particularly good at breaking down harmful chemicals in the body. (Independent on Sunday - 24/4/05)
'If you haven't thought about organic farming before, now might be the time to consider it. Organic production may help to maintain or improve farm incomes, while managing land in an environmentally beneficial way and meeting a growing demand for organic food.' (The Farmer - April 2005)
The form of diabetes more associated with adults is much higher among children than thought, figures suggest. Research in east London has revealed 22 children under 16 have type 2 diabetes, which is largely caused by obesity. The findings suggest the latest audit of the type 2 diabetes in under 16s two years ago, which identified 100 cases in the UK, is a gross underestimate. Experts said there may be up to 1,500 cases nationally now and warned the UK was sitting on a "time-bomb". Professor Tony Barnett, head of the diabetes and obesity group at the University of Birmingham, said: "We have to address this. I would like to see food labelling being brought in and schools stop selling junk food." (BBC News - 19/4/05)
Cherie Blair overshadowed Labour's school dinners launch as she revealed the standard of meals at her son Leo's schools were so low she was thinking about giving him packed lunches. (The Independent; Daily Mail; Daily Express; Daily Telegraph; The Sun - 20/4/05)
The European Union has imposed an emergency ban on imports of US animal feeds unless they are proven to be free of illegal genetically modified maize. The ban, on corn gluten feed and brewers' grains, followed an admission by Syngenta, a Swiss-based agrochemical firm, that about 1,000 tonnes of US maize derived from its unlicensed Bt10 GM seeds had "inadvertently" entered the European food chain over the past four years. (The Guardian - 16/4/05)
A new generation of foods and drinks designed to help reduce cancers and heart disease are set to appear on Britain's supermarket shelves. A new European law will now allow food companies to make dramatic claims about the health-giving effects of their brands. The Soil Association said the measures will strengthen the "ready meals" industry. (The Independent on Sunday - 17/4/05)
Organic farmers' leaders have claimed that some multiple retailers are shunning UK-produced organic beef and pork in favour of cheaper imports. The Soil Association said a recent survey showed that only a fifth of fresh organic pork in Asda and Morrisons was from UK farms, compared with 95% of fresh non-organic pork. Half the organic beef and pork in Tesco was imported. Praise was reserved for Sainsbury, Waitrose and Marks and Spencer. Soil Association policy director Peter Melchett said: "They are shining examples to other supermarkets that are still letting down their customers and UK organic farmers."
Unlicensed GM rice has been imp
The European Commission is to come down hard on member states continuing to ban GM crops approved by EU scientists. They must rescind these bans or be overruled by Brussels. The Commission is also struggling to introduce GM labelling regulations and to agree coexistence rules to separate GM and non-GM crops.
Organic Farmers and Growers, the UK's second largest organic certification body, is warning farmers to take note of a key rule change if they are thinking of making a switch to organic farming. Under the new rules of the new Organic Entry Level Scheme (OELS) applicants must have completed the inspection process and have a certificate before they can be considered for the new OELS payment. (Farmers Weekly)
We applaud the departure of Sir John Krebs as Head of the Food Standards Agency. He used his position to support GM corporations and undermine organic food whenever possible, despite outstanding public opinion to the contrary. And he personally creeped me out more than any other career politician I've ever met. (Food Standards Agency)
Food manufacturers are using huge quantities of water to bulk up meat products, an investigation has revealed. Up to 30 per cent of the weight of non-organic processed products like ham, turkey and hot dogs can be a cocktail of water, salts, flavourings and E-numbers, according to the Food Commission. With all the additives taken into account, some well-known brands consist of less than 50 per cent actual meat. (The Daily Mail)
Consumers have tired of been told they should eat healthy food. Research suggests that the nation is suffering fatigue from campaigns encouraging it to improve its diet. Nearly 70 per cent of people told data analysts Mintel that it was hard to choose a good diet as advice from experts had changed. (The Times)
Policy makers from key European anti-GM member states will not let the issue of the illegal import of Syngenta's BT 10 maize go. The USA is insisting trade with Europe in maize-based livestock feeds will continue. (Farmers Guardian)
A new report published by the Agriculture and Environment Biotechnology Commission states that about £100 million of public funds are spent each year on agricultural biotechnology research in the UK. The largest amount is spent by the Biotechnological and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC). In comparison, Defra's annual budget for research and development into organic farming is only £2 million. AEBC is an independent body set up by the Government.
Scientists have begun putting genes from human beings into food crops in a dramatic extension of genetic modification. The move, which is causing disgust and revulsion among critics, is bound to strengthen accusations that GM technology is creating "Frankenstein foods" and drive the controversy surrounding it to new heights. In the first modification of its kind, Japanese researchers have inserted a gene from the human liver into rice to enable it to digest pesticides and industrial chemicals. The gene makes an enzyme, code-named CPY2B6, which is particularly good at breaking down harmful chemicals in the body. (Independent on Sunday - 24/4/05)
'If you haven't thought about organic farming before, now might be the time to consider it. Organic production may help to maintain or improve farm incomes, while managing land in an environmentally beneficial way and meeting a growing demand for organic food.' (The Farmer - April 2005)
The form of diabetes more associated with adults is much higher among children than thought, figures suggest. Research in east London has revealed 22 children under 16 have type 2 diabetes, which is largely caused by obesity. The findings suggest the latest audit of the type 2 diabetes in under 16s two years ago, which identified 100 cases in the UK, is a gross underestimate. Experts said there may be up to 1,500 cases nationally now and warned the UK was sitting on a "time-bomb". Professor Tony Barnett, head of the diabetes and obesity group at the University of Birmingham, said: "We have to address this. I would like to see food labelling being brought in and schools stop selling junk food." (BBC News - 19/4/05)
Cherie Blair overshadowed Labour's school dinners launch as she revealed the standard of meals at her son Leo's schools were so low she was thinking about giving him packed lunches. (The Independent; Daily Mail; Daily Express; Daily Telegraph; The Sun - 20/4/05)
The European Union has imposed an emergency ban on imports of US animal feeds unless they are proven to be free of illegal genetically modified maize. The ban, on corn gluten feed and brewers' grains, followed an admission by Syngenta, a Swiss-based agrochemical firm, that about 1,000 tonnes of US maize derived from its unlicensed Bt10 GM seeds had "inadvertently" entered the European food chain over the past four years. (The Guardian - 16/4/05)
A new generation of foods and drinks designed to help reduce cancers and heart disease are set to appear on Britain's supermarket shelves. A new European law will now allow food companies to make dramatic claims about the health-giving effects of their brands. The Soil Association said the measures will strengthen the "ready meals" industry. (The Independent on Sunday - 17/4/05)
Organic farmers' leaders have claimed that some multiple retailers are shunning UK-produced organic beef and pork in favour of cheaper imports. The Soil Association said a recent survey showed that only a fifth of fresh organic pork in Asda and Morrisons was from UK farms, compared with 95% of fresh non-organic pork. Half the organic beef and pork in Tesco was imported. Praise was reserved for Sainsbury, Waitrose and Marks and Spencer. Soil Association policy director Peter Melchett said: "They are shining examples to other supermarkets that are still letting down their customers and UK organic farmers."
Unlicensed GM rice has been imp