A once quiet voice, hard to distinguish against the grinding machine of intensive food production is now shouting above the noise. LAURA BRIGGS reports on the growing interest in grass as a feeding option
Let Them Eat Grass: The Livestock That is.... Laura Briggs | 18th July 2016 News Farming Food Livestock Grass-fed Industrial Farming Traditional Farming cows grass 1015.jpg A once quiet voice, hard …
There is now a very real hope that thousands of animals in Ireland will be spared from painful laboratory testing thanks to new funding from the Government for alternative scientific research. Ecologist reporter, LAURA BRIGGS reports
… of the heaviest experimenters on animals in Europe. Health Products Regulatory Authority … Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA) and EU legislation. To date, Science Foundation … SFI to coordinate with other countries and EU initiatives, but the move is a leap forward …
Calls for better protection of the UK's ancient woodlands are being made by environmental groups due to a loophole in the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), last revised in 2012. LAURA BRIGGS reports
Why we need to better protect Britain's ancient woodlands Laura Briggs | 1st August 2016 News Ancient Woodland Forestry Commission Ecosystem Ecology Woodland Trust ancient woodland.jpg Calls for …
The Soil Association is calling on bread producers and supermarkets to stop making and selling bread products that contain traces of Glyphosate. LAURA BRIGGS reports.
… remains controversial, but nonetheless the EU has approved its use after a three-year … desiccant in their supply chains. The EU has just advised glyphosate use as a … can be used as a garden weed-killer. The EU made its decision on renewing glyphosate's …
A gap in the market and the digital age has seen the British organic cut flower industry flourish over the last couple of years - with chemical-free, low air-mile blooms finally seeing their day in the sun. LAURA BRIGGS reports on the homegrown market that offers a bigger variety of flowers and without the environmental costs of imported ones
If you're saying 'it' with flowers this UK Bank Holiday weekend make sure they're locally grown Laura Briggs | 26th August 2016 News Flowers Organic Cut Flowers Environmental Costs British Growers …
Disposing of wastewater from uncoventional gas and oil techniques - including fracking - is one of the big challenges facing the UK.
LAURA BRIGGS reports
… at alternative ways of discharging water or reusing it above ground. But a key concern is … We would need to assess any proposal to reuse flow back fluid in this way. "There are … for additional research for treatment and reuse of the flowback and produced water. Given …
Last month, an outright ban on greyhound racing was announced in the Australian state of New South Wales following an inquiry which uncovered overwhelming evidence of systematic animal cruelty. Will the UK do the same asks LAURA BRIGGS
Will UK follow the lead of New South Wales and ban greyhound racing? Laura Briggs | 7th September 2016 News Animal Rights Greyhound Racing Animal Welfare Animal Cruelty greyhound racing.jpg Last …
As leading figures from the world of law, ecology and technology prepare to come together and discuss how best to deal with non-native invasive plants in the UK, more research is still needed on how best to manage these species taking over the countryside writes LAURA BRIGGS
… into force on August 3, 2016, as part of new EU-wide regulations. Setting out a clear … at AECOM says: "It is important that this new EU Regulation along with the many other EU-based regulations relevant to UK …
As the Digital Schoolhouse programme starts a national roll out to schools across the UK, scientists warn that digital disconnect can mean caring less - for each other and the environment. LAURA BRIGGS reports.
Digital Disconnect and its adverse impact on how (or whether) we engage with nature Laura Briggs | 29th September 2016 Ethical Living Technology Society Natural World Youth computer-kid-cut.jpg As …
Campaigners fighting a development for an 18-hole golf course on a pristine part of the Moray Firth are planning to launch a legal challenge against the plans with £10,000 they have sourced through crowdfunding. LAURA BRIGGS reports
… giant Mike Kaiser, and Todd Warnock, entrepreneur and owner of 5-star Links House at Royal … Hugh Fullerton-Smith, former director of the European Nature Trust and now Executive … Conservation Society said: "Scotland is of European importance for sand dune systems and …
Seaweed is known for its culinary uses and has seen a renaissance in past years thanks to its health claims and a distinctive taste - but there are more ecological benefits to seaweed that currently remain untapped.
… research projects funded by the UK and the EU and although already widely used in food, … and as a suspension or stabilizer in pharmaceuticals and cosmetics. Many seaweeds are …
An estimated 12 million tonnes of plastic flows into our oceans each year so no wonder we're facing one of the biggest litter crises our planet has ever seen. LAURA BRIGGS reports
… fish. Bristol-based research organisation Eunomia, focuses on the sources and impacts of … plastics. Delphine Lévi Alvarès, Zero Waste Europe policy officer and coordinator of the European plastics alignment process says: …
A unified scientific approach has been called for to help protect one of the most threatened ecosystems on earth. LAURA BRIGGS learns more about the unique ecosystem known as seagrass beds
… to glimmer at the end of the tunnel." The EU Water Framework Directive has established the first EU-wide monitoring of seagrasses as ‘canaries …
The Valbona Valley in northern Albania faces destruction from the planned works, despite being within the protected area of the Valbona National Park. LAURA BRIGGS reports
… with Bern or Espoo Conventions nor with EU Habitats and Bird Directives. … in the Balkans and indeed in the whole of Europe. Botanically it is characterized by a … in the Balkans and indeed in the whole of Europe …
Marine ecologists have shown how noise pollution is changing the behaviour of marine animals - and how its elimination will significantly help build their resilience. LAURA BRIGGS reports
Ecology Research Report: How noise pollution impacts marine ecology Laura Briggs | 12th December 2016 News Marine Ecology Marine Research Renewables Noise Pollution marine pollution.jpg Marine …
In 2020 the fate of Devon's River Otter wild beavers will be decided. With Chris Packham backing the campaign to save the species and the protection of beavers into Scotland recently getting the go-ahead, the outlook is bright for the species.LAURA BRIGGS reports
… manage beaver impacts, and in many parts of Europe and North America varied techniques are … five-year trial reintroduction of Eurasian beavers to Knapdale, Mid-Argyll. It …
The loss of birds could significantly impact efforts to combat deforestation, according to research from scientists looking at species across the Brazilian Amazon. LAURA BRIGGS reports
… together with data on bird morphology from museum specimens to look at the ‘functional trait … Data from bird specimens deposited in museums in Brazil, the UK and the USA was also … from specimens held in natural history museums underpinned this study; yet these …
Consumers could be doing far more to help combat global food wastage with relatively little effort according to a new study showing that every year, a third of all food produced ends up being binned. LAURA BRIGGS reports
… impact to the level of food waste created. In Europe better policies are needed according to a recent report by the European Court of Auditors . In the UK, Wrap …
Removing the natural habitat of Hazel Dormice - one of the UK's most endangered species - is further threatening their existence says a new report from Manchester Metropolitan University. LAURA BRIGGS reports
New study shows habitat loss as the reason for the UK's 'Disappearing Dormice' Laura Briggs | 1st February 2017 News Dormice Conservation Ecology dormousefig-1.jpg Removing the natural habitat of …
If the thought of dropping a live lobster into a pan of boiling water horrifies you, then you're in good company including that of a new campaigning group that wants lobsters to be given the same animal welfare rights as other creatures. LAURA BRIGGS reports
… 2006. The petition to Defra Minister George Eustice highlights the fact that currently … Laura Adams of Queen's University involved 40 European shore crabs. A percentage of the … of pain and suffering. "We urge George Eustice to amend the Animal Welfare …
There's welcome news for campaigners lobbying for the protection of Britain's ancient woodland. LAURA BRIGGS reports
Support Woodland Trust's ‘Save Our Ancients' campaign to save UK's ancient woodland Laura Briggs | 20th March 2017 Activism Ancient Woodland Conservation National Planning Policy Framework natural …
How can we bridge the gap between ‘fast food' living and responsible consumption when mass production and a throw-away mindset still dominate the lifestyles of most people? LAURA BRIGGS has some thoughts...
… over two million allotment holders across Europe who share an ethos that organic, …