Below-par farm biosecurity should block farmers from participating in England's badger culls, writes Anna Dale. But a large body of evidence of poor and negligent biosecurity by farmers suggests that Natural England, the government's official regulator, is turning a blind eye to this strict requirement - and undermining the purpose of the cull.
… disparities are greatly concerning. Varying comments Monitors' assessments and … carriers - so why target badgers? Monitors' comments also reveal that there are … 2014). However, there are a number of comments from monitors which suggest that a …
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 ...
… will die Helen Browning | 8th November 2013 Comment Food And Farming Comment Organic Farming Soil Food Farming … with a landmark 2010 climate change accord COMMENT Food riots will mark the end of oil …
If it wasn't climate change, was the real purpose of the Number 10 meeting of Theresa May's advisors and President Trump's environmental transition supremo Myron Ebell to plan the post-Brexit deregulation of UK farming, including pesticides? That's how it looks, writes Georgina Downs - and we had better begin now to fight for our health, wildlife and environment.
… meeting? Georgina Downs | 3rd February 2017 Comment Health Pesticides Farming Politics UK … by environmental campaigners and various commentators regarding the meeting with the … Caroline Lucas. There are many, many comments under the petition from other …
A programme to be broadcast on BBC2 promoting badger culling as the answer to bovine TB is praised in the corporation's flagship Radio Times, writes Lesley Docksey. But both are criticised by experts for their inaccuracy and bias. The main reservoir for bTB is, and always has been, the cattle themselves - and that's where the real solutions begin.
… culling Lesley Docksey | 2nd March 2016 Comment Badgers UK Natural World Farming … policy manager of the Born Free Foundation comments: " The article paints a wholly … Jan Bayley of the Animal Welfare Group commented: "To have continuous incidents …
The US is poised to 'deregulate' GMO corn, soybean and cotton varieties resistant to the herbicides 2,4-D and dicamba. The result will be a big increase in the use of those herbicides, as high as 600%. Only a huge public outcry can now stop the GMO-herbicide juggernaut.
… and health professionals." A 30-day public comment period is now under way before USDA is … to Monsanto's dicamba, with a 45-day comment period. The herbicide treadmill Dow … Bill Freese, CFS's Science Policy Analyst, commented: "USDA's decision represents a huge …
Moms Across America founder Zen Honeycutt took on Monsanto chief Hugh Grant at the company's Annual General Meeting - and won, winning 53% of the vote on a call for Monsanto to reform its practices and safeguard the health of millions of children exposed to its toxic products - and Roundup in particular. In her own words, this is what took place ...
… fabulous." As much as I wanted to, I did not comment. We had entered the shareholder … himself to me. He shared he has left comments on my Facebook page and we had a … I admired her commitment. There were no comments after she spoke and Hugh Grant …
Pesticide companies are responsible for assessing the safety of their products, writes Christopher N Connolly - and this situation cannot continue. The research should be carried out independently, subjected to peer review, and published.
… Christopher N Connolly | 30th July 2014 Comment Farming Toxics Science Corporations UK … The chair of the Committee, Joan Walley MP, commented on its findings: "When it comes to … throughout, but receive the full dataset for comment. This conflict of interest between …
Right wing media and politicians have chosen the Somerset Levels as their battle field for fighting the 'green' agenda. There is just one problem - the facts. On the Levels themselves, there is a remarkable consensus about the way forward - and the future is Green.
… to pay Oliver Tickell | 9th February 2014 Comment Water Birds Farming Green Economy … active connivance of populist politicians and commentators desperate to drive a right-wing … undermines the battle cry of right wing media commentators who love to wax lyrical about …
Four trustees of the Soil Association just resigned, 'more in sorrow than in anger'. Joanna Blythman, Lynda Brown, Andrew Whitley and former Ecologist editor Pat Thomas all decided they were unable to contribute further to the organisation, the UK's leading organic certifier and the 'mother ship' of British organic farming.
… Andrew Whitley Pat Thomas | 1st December 2014 Comment Food Farming UK Organic … sales and to champion overtly organic food. Comments received During the preparation of … producers and consumers. We include some comments we received (unattributed) for …
Over 300 major food companies used to buy palm oil from IOI, writes Annisa Rahmawati. But after the company was found to be destroying vast areas of Indonesia's rainforest and draining peatlands to make new palm oil plantations, it has been deserted by its customers. Now IOI must go beyond just sticking to the rules, and start actively repairing the damage it has caused.
… Annisa Rahmawati Greenpeace | 10th June 2016 Comment Forests Indonesia Farming Food …
Monsanto is stepping up its attack on the WHO's classification of glyphosate as a probable human carcinogen, writes Peter Saunders. Dismissing the finding as 'junk science' the company is convening its own industry friendly panel and pushing its secret studies at regulators. Don't let them get away with it!
… Professor Peter Saunders | 5th August 2015 Comment Health Toxics Regulation Corporation … to have been accepted with little or no comment. Glyphosate, however, is central to a …
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.
… of badgers Nicola Weber | 4th November 2013 Comment Badgers Natural World Badger Cull … believe that they represent fair and accurate comment. The words "wildlife researcher Nicola …
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?
… Lesley Docksey | 24th November 2013 Comment GMOs Farming Politics Golden Rice … Prime Minister David Cameron chips in with a comment to the media about how Britain is …
MEPs vote tomorrow on Green measures to ensure that TTIP 'harmonisation' on food and farming means applying the highest standards, not the lowest, writes Molly Scott Cato. But will MEP's put farmers, food and animals before corporate profit?
… deal Molly Scott Cato MEP | 13th April 2015 Comment Food Farming Trade EU USA …
Something important just happened at Cornell's Alliance for Science, writes Steven M. Druker. Long known as a keen promoter of genetic engineering, the organization has experienced a profound change of direction. Its new director, Sarah Davidson Evanega, has opened an inclusive scientific dialogue on the safety of GMO crops. Who says it's all 'over'?
… level! Steven M. Druker | 19th October 2015 Comment GMOs Science Health Food Farming USA … that they've actually read what they were commenting on. Nonetheless, these bogus …
A scientific study that identified serious health impacts on rats fed on 'Roundup ready' GMO maize has been republished following its controversial retraction under strong commercial pressure. Now regulators must respond and review GMO and agro-chemical licenses, and licensing procedures.
… study is accompanied by a separate commentary by Prof Séralini's team (also … Claire Robinson, editor of GMOSeralini.org , commented: "This study has now successfully … a molecular geneticist based in London, commented, "Few studies would survive such …
Doctors have been told to limit their use of antibiotics to limit the spread of microbial drug resistance, writes Emma Rose. But 40% of the UK's antibiotics are used on farms, of which 85% is fed to disease-free animals. We can no longer ignore the massive agricultural overuse of the drugs, now a major driver of antibiotic resistant infections.
… in farming? Emma Rose | 11th September 2015 Comment Health Farming Regulation UK EU … any good "is not good practice" . This comment throws current on-farm prescribing …
The Land Workers Alliance gathered yesterday at DEFRA's London HQ to protest at the corrupt relationship between Government and corporate agriculture - and the deliberate marginalisation of small farmers, our most sustainable producers. Ed Hamer explains ...
… our future! Ed Hamer | 18th April 2014 Comment Food Farming Politics UK … . Over 16,000 small holdings will be excluded Commenting on the minimum claim area the …
Oxfam's report 'Standing on the Sidelines' lays down a challenge to the 'Big 10' of the global food industry, writes Julia Wright. They must cut their huge carbon emissions, campaign to protect global climate, and rethink their entire mission to encompass health and wellbeing.
… climate fight Julia Wright | 20th June 2014 Comment Food Farming Climate Change Health … need for cognitive justice matches Einstein's comment that problems cannot be solved with …
A widely publicised study has suggested that eating organic food doesn't stop you getting cancer. Pat Thomas finds the study deeply unconvincing - and wonders why Cancer Research UK is so quick to trumpet its conclusions.
… cancer risk? Pat Thomas | 16th April 2014 Comment Food Farming Health red-cabbage.png A … could read - and immediately, intelligently comment on them? The reason, I would suggest, …
The Government has let down Britain with its repeated failures to seize the opportunities of green growth, healthy local food, better housing, environmental protection - and is instead pinning all its hopes on flawed, outmoded ideologies that betray our futures.
… opportunities Natalie Bennett | 6th June 2014 Comment UK Politics Climate Change Farming … a clear vote-winner. As the Woodland Trust comments , "We are frankly perplexed why the …
‘Climate Smart Agriculture' can be applied to anything from industrial monocultures to agroecology, writes Helena Paul - and fertiliser, biotech and agribusiness corporations are seizing the chance to cash in. Now COP21 host France is proposing to use soils as a giant carbon sink - a fine idea in itself, but not if it's used to 'offset' continued fossil fuel emissions, and to greenwash industrial agriculture.
… Helena Paul EcoNexus | 26th November 2015 Comment COP21 Farming The Land Climate Change … Working Group have just released for comment their proposed eligibility …