On 22 May, the Council of the EU adopted new rules on organic production and the labelling of organic products. After years of discussion and clarification, the new rules aim to improve consumer confidence in organic products, as well as prevent fraud and unfair practices.
A new pilot study from the Ramazzini Institute, Bologna University and the Italian National Health Institute, observed the health effects of glyphosate on rats, which had been dosed with the safe limit of 1.75 micrograms per kilo of body weight (determined by US standards).
This is probably the quickest spring I can remember, at least visually. The trees outside my residence went from naked winter to fully clothed summer in a matter of weeks. It reminds me that all plants are both resilient and opportunists. They will come to life when the time is right and not when people think it should fit in with their schedule.
The great bee count takes place this month. From 18 May - 30 June, you can spot and record any bees you see, and send the results to Friends of the Earth.
Thank you to all those who emailed Defra as part of the food and farming consultation, post Brexit. With your voices we managed to get the message across that omitting 'organic' from their proposals for the future of British farming was a serious oversight.
This International Compost Awareness Week (6-12 May), why not celebrate with a completely compostable cuppa?
Add your voice to the future of food and farming...
The world’s most widely used insecticides will be banned from all fields within six months, to protect both wild and honeybees that are vital to crop pollination.
More than 60 volunteers will be helping communities throughout Leicestershire to grow their own organic food this year and more are needed to join them!
The fruitID.com project has announced that following the success of their schemes in 2016 and 2017, they are offering DNA analysis of Apple, Pear and Cherry fruit trees for 2018 at £26 plus VAT per sample.