New genetic engineering: The EU plays for time

In July 2018, the European Court of Justice clarified that new genetic engineering processes such as CRISPR/Cas and the organisms produced with them are subject to genetic engineering law. Since then, EU member states have been discussing how to deal with this ruling. As there is no consensus, they first tasked the European Commission with conducting a study – and thus postponed the issue.

EU Eco-Regulation: First concrete rules available for comments

The new EU Eco-Regulation will still have to be complemented by numerous rules. The first of these were made available online for comments by the EU Commission.

Bioland-president: reducing enemy stereotypes

In order to meet the climate targets, the organic sector must reduce enemy images and connect people. This was the demand of Jan Plagge, President of the Bioland Association, at the eco-marketing days in Kirchberg.

Purchase decision: what defines a perfect tomato?

Researchers at the university of Göttingen, Germany, asked 1.000 consumers about their consumption preferences when purchasing tomatoes. Organic was not a focus of the study, but the results could be transferrable to organic tomatoes.

Spanish organic vegetables: organic specialist trade is taking action against artificial fertilizer

Spanish organic certification authorities allow the use of artificial fertilizer in organic vegetable farming. Organic-market.info asked whether the German organic specialist trade is affected as well. The result: Those with activity in Spain and high quality standards have known about the problem for a while and are well prepared.

Sales record for Sonnentor

Herbal specialist Sonnentor has set a sales record for the 2018/19 financial year and is planning to open two more stores this year.

Protect cocoa farmers with supply chain regulations

The call for supply chain laws is getting louder. A recent study on cocoa cultivation shows that voluntary commitments by the food industry are not sufficient. Even Fairtrade certification is not enough to provide farmers with a livelihood.

Register now: Organic Innovation Days 2019

People interested in innovation to transform food and farming through organics can register now for TP Organics' Organic Innovation Days 2019, taking place on 3-4 December in Brussels.

Nordic Organic Food Fair in Scandinavia

The latest organically certified food products and beverages will be presented in Malmö, Sweden, from 13^th to 14^th November. In cooperation with Eco Life Scandinavia, 500 exhibitors from various countries will be participating at the combined trade fairs.

These are the Winners of the Sustainable Beauty Awards

Ecovia Intelligence announced the winners of the 2019 Sustainable Beauty Awards earlier this week. About 200 senior executives from the beauty industry attended the awards reception in Paris. The winners and runner-ups as follows.

Study: More greenhouse gases from organic farming

If England and Wales were to convert to 100 percent organic farming, it would damage the climate. This is the conclusion reached by British scientists. Is conventional agriculture the better alternative? What the Bund Ökologische Lebensmittelwirtschaft (German Organic Food Association) says about this.

Anuga Horizon 2050: What will we eat tomorrow?

New impulses for the food industry: The world’s largest trade fair for food and beverages, Anuga Horizon 2050, took a closer look at our menu of the future in its exhibition.

Why crowdfunding makes sense for organic companies

In recent years, several organic companies have raised funds for investments on crowdfunding platforms. This is not only financially interesting, but also from a marketing perspective.

Market introduction: more new products are organic

Every fifth new food product or beverage introduced to the German market is organic. Particularly the share of organic products that are additionally marked as ethically produced or free from certain ingredients increased.

European Citizens’ Initiative out to save bees and farmers

The main agricultural policy decision on subsidies, limits and authorisation of pesticides are made at EU level. An alliance with the European Citizens’ Initiative (ECI) wants to apply pressure on the EU.

Oxfam-Study: poverty pay for Assam tea

The human rights organisation Oxfam has researched the conditions under which conventional black tea is produced in Assam, India. The result: poverty, extremely low wages, toxic pesticides – and certifications that do not change anything.

Sustainable Beauty Award Finalists

The finalists of the 2019 Sustainable Beauty Awards have been announced. See who is among them.

Appeal to natural cosmetics companies

Sustainability expert Dr. Ulrike Eberle appealed to the International Natural & Organic Cosmetics Conference 2019 to think holistically about raw materials – and to act quickly.

Setback for Monsanto in South Africa

Bayer subsidiary Monsanto has been trying to establish its drought-tolerant genetically engineered maize in Africa. It is intended to protect African farmers from the increasing effects of drought. But the maize does not live up to Monsanto’s promises. The South African Ministry of Agriculture has therefore denied Monsanto a cultivation permit.

Achieving Sustainable Development Goals through Organic Agriculture

Organic agriculture significantly contributes to achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals. This was the result of a Dutch study.