Pressure groups question whether Defra has the power to drive reforms in the food sector
… Can Defra deliver its 2030 food vision? The … | 11th August 2009 News News Food And Farming DEFRA Soil Association Sustain procurement.jpg … produce Pressure groups question whether Defra has the power to drive reforms in the …
The UK government is about to deregulate gene editing – so what just happened?
… Genetically Modified Organisms GMs Gm DEFRA Editor’s Picks … the Environment, Farming and Rural Affairs (Defra) launched a public consultation on its … researchers and institutions need only notify Defra of their intention to conduct a trial. …
MP's report leaves environmentalists facing a dilemma, should they allow GM crop trials or not?
… addressed,' said Efra chairman Michael Jack. 'Defra should help broker more trials to allow … and Bunge. Land-grabbing MPs criticised Defra for not taking seriously the issue of … In giving evidence to MPs earlier this year, Defra secretary of state Hilary Benn had said …
Alan Schofield has run a vegetable box scheme for almost 30 years and is a veteran of the Soil Association. He talks to the Ecologist about why he set up the Organic Growers Alliance - and how it now complements the work of the larger certification body
… of the OGA, grievances would be dealt with by DEFRA and various certification bodies, on an … in the country that can then be fed back to DEFRA, the Soil Association and other … exercises: making decisions for DEFRA, policy issues... We felt there was …
A new report has revealed that a change in the way we manage agricultural land could help sequester a quarter of the world's carbon dioxide emissions every year
… Deforestation Water Organic Soil Association DEFRA Emissions Trading ITC Nitrous Oxide Meat … for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) acknowledges that industrial …
Ask those involved in public food procurement if they would like to see fresh, local ingredients on menus and they will say yes. Then they will list all the reasons why it wouldn't work. Not so, argues Maria Cross - and here's how
… prosperous communities'. To achieve this aim, Defra provides, on its website, guidance … made much of an impact. In October 2008 Defra commissioned financial consultancy firm …
Insects are at the heart of our ecosystems and critical to humanity. Pollinators make a huge contribution to human life, and we all have a part to play in pushing their role up the political agenda, argues SAM PACKER of the Soil Association
… in the decline of pollinators. Until now, Defra’s National Pollinator Strategy has … tide is turning and we are encouraged that Defra’s Expert Committee on Pesticides will be …
Can organic farming feed the world? Ed Hamer and Mark Anslow say yes, but we must farm and eat differently
… for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) over the past three years have shown … 1,000 miles from plot to plate. 18 In 2005, Defra released a comprehensive report on food … 19 Defra (2005) The Validity of Food Miles as an …
In August 2006, German chemicals company BASF applied to start GM potato field trials
in Cambridge and Derbyshire as early as next spring. The GM industry is making many
claims about this product, but are these based on the truth? Andy Rees investigates
… a previous year’s dropped tubers or seed); Defra itself has acknowledged this problem. … and GM grass pollen 21km. Meanwhile, good ol’ Defra is once again paving the way for the …
Recent reports of catastrophic declines in bee populations have had scientists buzzing around looking for a plausible explanation. Is it mites? Is it GM crops? Is it mobile phones or habitat loss? It's all of these things, says Pat Thomas, but it's also so much more than that.
… What needs to happen next? Defra spends just over a million pounds a year … colony losses of up to 90 per cent this year, Defra insists that no definite conclusions can … it have to go on, before we also take action? Defra must take the plight of our bees …
Member of steering group resigns claiming the Food Standard Agency's (FSA) £500,000 public dialogue on genetically modified (GM) food is ignoring key issues about GM feed and labelling
… for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) or the Department for Business, …
The global use of glyphosate has rocketed over the last decade thanks to the introduction of 'Roundup ready' GM crops, writes Vanessa Amaral-Rogers. But since IARC classified the chemical a 'probable carcinogen', and with the spread of resistant superweeds, the tide may finally be turning.
… in up to 30% of samples tested by the Defra committee on Pesticide Residues in Food …
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.
… in 30 per cent of samples tested by the Defra Expert Committee on Pesticide Residues …
If the Soil Association joined those opposing the cull it would be able to brand its organic milk and dairy products 'badger friendly'- no doubt leading to a much needed boost in sales, says Dominic Dyer
… also by the latest national statistics from DEFRA on the incidence of bovine TB in cattle, …
Our growing demand for cheap feed to produce cheap meat is exacting a terrible human and environmental price. But the solutions are clear, and are within our reach
… for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) published a new report promising a …
After a week of events throughout the UK aimed at highlighting the health risks of eating genetically modified foods, Pat Thomas highlights a key health message that many of us have missed.....
… campaign director at GM Freeze argues that Defra are cherry picking their science to fit …
In the past decade, the sales pitch of the biotech companies has shifted with the climate of public opinion. Public scepticism has remained high, but politicians seem to have bought enthusiastically into the GM ‘solution’. In many ways this encapsulates where science has gone wrong – by inventing technologies without first deciding what problems need addressing. If GM crops are the answer, what exactly is the problem?
… available and four more in the pipeline. More Defra research and development funding would …