Purchasing Associations - a Model that has been working well in Italy for a long time

There are about 200 purchasing associations in Italy for the communal purchasing of goods.

Dagoba Chocolate launches recall

About 40,000 pounds of sweets and chocolate products manufactured by Dagoba Organic Chocolate, have been recalled, because they may contain high levels of lead.

Important Producers and Sellers of Organic Food in France

Organic processing in France is a new industry. Two-thirds of companies have been certified organic only since 1998.

Wal-Mart strategy should improve organic outlook

The multiple Wal-Mart Inc. announced end of March 2006 that it will carry more than 400 organic products by this summer in select stores.

Alce Nero in Umbria (Italy) will open its doors to the public

New Products Introduced at BioFach

Whether anti-ageing cream, fine wine vinegars or health-promoting ‘Acerola Taler’ in bio quality, this year’s BioFach was once again the opportunity to present new products.

Region of Lazio: “Bio-Aziende Agricole di Roma“

Rome is the largest agricultural town in Europe.

New draft of the amendment to the EU Organic Regulation to follow shortly

In April there is to be a new basis for discussion of the EU Organic Regulation.

Florence, Ecor and B’IO at Terra Futura

Ecor Spa, the largest Italian distributing company of organic products and B’io, an association of more than 200 specialized stores in Italy, were present at the national Fair of Sustainability “Terra Futura”.

Slovak Republic: Organic Food Retailers Lack an Adequate Product Range

While four years ago only a few health/natural food shops existed in Slovakia, today there are more than forty such shops.

Organic Rainforest Ingredients achieve organic certification

The company Beraca Ingredients has been granted Ecocert organic certification for its personal care ingredients.

Less Organic Farms, more Organic Land in Switzerland

The number of organic farms in Switzerland has declined for the first time in 25 years according to the organic food organisation, Bio Suisse.

Real Pioneers: Whole Food Shops in Turkey

The whole food shop Ambar is only about 20 paces from the pedestrian area in Istanbul’s busy town centre (Beyoglu), and it is mainly regulars who shop in the 20 m² store.

New Zealand: Organic umbrella organisation gets $1.5m Government Funding

The organic umbrella organisation, Organics Aotearoa New Zealand (OANZ), is to receive $1.5 million in government funding over the next three years.

Malta Organic Agriculture Movement (MOAM) forwards eco-tourism

Malta Organic Agriculture Movement in collaboration with the Mellieha Local Council organized an open public forum on Organic Farming, Ecotourism and Agritourism.

Children Facing High Risks from Pesticide Poisoning

Children are facing higher risks from pesticides than adults and need greater protection.

Basic goes into overdrive

This year, the German organic-supermarket chain Basic intends to pass the 20 store threshold.

GM-cotton in India

Following complaints of allergenic reactions among farmers growing genetically modified cotton, a three member panel was set up to investigate the matter.

The First IFOAM International Conference on Animals in Organic Production

Organic livestock production is growing rapidly throughout the world, and sales are anticipated to increase dramatically in the coming years.

Slovak Republic Organic Food Market

The Slovak market for organic products is just being born and the share of organic food in the turnover of food products was less than 0.1 % in 2004.