Tom Hodgkinson's account of life on a smallholding in Devon is spiced with old-fashioned lore and made Jeremy Williams laugh out loud
Brave Old World: A Practical Guide to Husbandry or the Fine Art of Looking After Yourself Jeremy Williams | 4th August 2011 Reviews Farming Pigs Gardening Food Self-sustainability Reviews Books Tom …
There's much to love in Celia Lewis’ beautifully illustrated tome, says Mark Newton, but the essential message shouldn’t be forgotten: that this is how all pigs should be treated
The Illustrated Guide to Pigs: How to Choose Them – How to Keep Them Mark Newton | 11th August 2011 Reviews Pigs Farming Food And Drink Reviews Books Animal Welfare illustrated-pigs.jpg There's much …
It was bred to aid the rural poor, but one bird is also helping break industrialised farming’s stranglehold on India. Andrew Wasley meets the remarkable Giriraja
Giri Raja: the Forest King – reporting on the “wonder-chicken” hailed as a solution to feeding India’s poor Andrew Wasley | 7th August 2008 Other Video Ecologist Film Unit Giriraja Chicken India …
From deforestation to fertiliser; our taste for coffee has left some of the world’s most precious eco-systems in a precarious state. George Blacksell looks at how the coffee industry is cleaning up its act
Coffee: is the black stuff as green as it should be? George Blacksell | 4th October 2011 Ethical Living Coffee Deforestation Eco-systems Food Amazon Farming Fairtrade Organic Food And Drink …
The idea of eating meat sourced from the roadside - whether deer, pheasant, fox or even otter - might sound revolting to you but for some, it's a gastronomic opportunity and a way of avoiding factory farmed meat
… like that at all,’ insists roadkill connoisseur Alison Brierley. ‘When I first started, I …
Denim has been in fashion since the early 19th century, which is why it is in the ultimate 'slow fashion' statement. Wear yours worn and ragged, and the older the better argues Sophie Woodward
Why jeans buck the fast-fashion phenomenon Sophie Woodward | 28th March 2012 Activism Society Natural World Politics And Economics Ethical Fashion Organic Cotton Pesticides Farming Ethical Fashion …
UK opposition to restricting the use of pesticides in the 1990s and 00s has at times even seen the intervention of former Prime Minister Gordon Brown to lobby the case for the farming industry
… UK fights EU attempts to bring in stricter rules on … The UK government has lobbied against EU attempts to bring in new rules on use of … high profile campaign, the UK courts and the EU legislative system - to toughen up its …
Government orders to use dangerous organophosphate chemicals left hundreds of sheep farmers with debilitating ill health, Tom Levitt reports on the UK's forgotten pesticide tragedy
… sheep scab. A clever piece of political manoeuvring on the part of the government, … NEWS ANALYSIS Special report UK fights EU attempts to bring in stricter rules on …
A decade ago, soya was being hailed as a superfood but in recent years, numerous issues surrounding deforestation and its impact on health have come to light
The dark side of soya: how one super crop lost its way Amy Hall | 1st May 2012 Ethical Living Soy Deforestation WWF Greenpeace Gm Soya Health Farming Food And Farming Climate Change Natural World …
Lab-grown meat could help reduce the environmental footprint of intensive farming. But will it ever appeal to vegetarians or even more eco-conscious consumers? Tom Levitt reports
… with two different researchers in the US and Europe maintaining they are both confident … than conventionally produced meat within the EU. It also uses 99% less land and 82-96% less … meat, particularly those working in the EU, are very aware of the risks of an …
As the UK's badger cull sputters to its dismal conclusion, wildlife researcher Nicola Weber explains why the killing may lead to more, not fewer, tubercular infections of both badgers and cattle.
Tuberculosis, tracking devices, and the social lives of badgers Nicola Weber | 4th November 2013 Comment Badgers Natural World Badger Cull Wildlife Farming vet.jpg As the UK's badger cull sputters to …
Professor Dale Sanders takes issue with Zac Goldsmith, former editor of The Ecologist. Is 'golden rice' a Trojan Horse for the GM industry, or nutritional manna from heaven for the world's poor?
… Dr Sanders has received funding from the European Union for research on …
The environment secretary's stance on GM food is grotesque, argues Conservative MP Zac Goldsmith.
… it will be assessed in the Philippines, not Europe. So the suggestion that anyone has died … has GM boosted yields as promised. Indeed, in Europe, where only small amounts of GM maize … midwest of the US: average yields in western Europe are now higher. The secretary of state …
The health of our soils is more important now than ever, says the Soil Association’s Helen Browning - especially with the challenges that climate change will bring ...
… valued at £150 to £250 million. And across Europe, we lose 250ha / day to development. … allowed to do this as organic farmers due to EU regulations, but we should be as long as it … won't be a pretty thing, but a new report by Deutsche Bank suggests it could be even uglier …
Coca-Cola has announced a "zero tolerance for land grabs" policy aimed at protecting communities from having their land stolen by big landlords and agro-industrial enterprises.
Coke joins Oxfam's fight against land grabs Oliver Tickell | 8th November 2013 News Land Farming Sugar Campaign Society Coca-Cola has announced a "zero tolerance for land grabs" policy aimed at …
Vandana Shiva exposes the link between the use of genetically modified cotton seeds and the tragic suicide of 284,694 farmers in India over 17 years.
… production has fallen behind that of Western Europe, despite farmers in the United States … North America and the use of non-GM seed in Europe. The failure to control pests has also …
The UK Government policy on genetically modified (GM) crops is "precautionary, evidence-based and sensitive to public concerns". Lesley Docksey asks: who are they kidding?
… Monsanto has, for now, withdrawn from Europe, the lobbying of politicians is … was followed in July by David Cameron saying Europe was "being left behind " even though … all declared national bans on GM foods In Europe, despite heavy lobbying and pro-GM …
Last night Edd Colbert hosted a massive knees-up in Trafalgar Square, to ceremonially devour eight pigs raised entirely on edible food waste - a delicious launch to a very original campaign. He spoke to The Ecologist about his ideas ...
… and in 2002 the ban was extended across the European Union. Before the ban, catering … to happen? The single biggest block is the EU ban on feeding catering waste to pigs. The … taken into account. What we need is for the EU to allow - and more than that to encourage …
The UK's first biodynamic sparkling white wine is available in time for Christmas. Hazel Sillver visited its creator, Sedlescombe Organic Vineyard in East Sussex, to find out more.
… proving just as tasty as their established European rivals and, of course, with no air … made with Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier grapes), Premier Brut is made from …
Much of our meat and dairy produce is made from animals raised on GM feeds. Alarming new claims suggest that the GM diet is affecting animal health - prompting fears over human safety. Andrew Wasley reports ...
… who produces 13,000 pigs a year and supplies Europe's largest pork company Danish Crown, … strains of soy were introduced in 1996, EU regulators raised the allowed maximum … its findings sensationalised. A review by the European Food Safety Authority later concluded …
Unsustainable farming systems that damage the environment and public health thrive at the expense of sustainable producers. Patrick Holden makes the case for "true cost accounting" ...
True-cost accounting in food and farming Patrick Holden | 29th November 2013 Comment Food Farming Economics Green Economy patrick-holden.png Unsustainable farming systems that damage the environment …
Wildlife groups are celebrating following the announcement that the Gloucestershire badger cull is being abandoned early, after it failed to meet any of its targets.
Gloucestershire badger cull called off The Ecologist | 29th November 2013 News Badgers Natural World Regulation Farming Wildlife groups are celebrating following the announcement that the …
A temporary ban on neonicotinoid insecticides comes into effect across the EU this weekend. Dave Goulson argues that far deeper, structural changes are needed to create a countryside fit for bees and other wildlife.
… insecticides comes into effect across the EU this weekend. Dave Goulson argues that far … Neonicotinoids, or neonics, are powerful neurotoxins, killing insects with minute doses … skills . As a result of these papers, the EU asked the European Food Standards Agency to …
It's high time for an independent Wildlife Protection Agency, argues Dominic Dyer. The botched badger cull shows we can no longer trust DEFRA, Natural England or the JNCC to carry out their duty to protect our wildlife.
… expanding wildlife protection campaign in Europe. This Army brings care and compassion …