Switzerland: Government wants to loosen rules for genome editing

The Federal Council of Switzerland wants to facilitate the approval of products from genome editing. The committee decided that the current genetic engineering legislation should be "risk-based and adapted to new developments". The Council intends to present a draft law.

BioFach and Vivaness: Over 51,000 visitors

Biofach and Vivaness have closed their doors at the Nuremberg Exhibition Centre with top marks: Over 51,000 visitors got inspired by the trade fair. The number of exhibitors is also remarkable.

Balance 2018: Germany's organic area increases by 8%

According to estimates, the share of German organic land increased by 109,863 hectares (plus 8%) to around 1.5 mn hectares last year. What else has happened in the German organic sector in 2018 was announced last week by the Bund Ökologische Lebensmittelwirtschaft (BÖLW) at its annual press conference at Biofach in Nuremberg.

Organic market continues to grow - in Europe and worldwide

In 2017, the European and international organic sector again recorded strong area and market growth. In Europe alone, organic sales grew by around 11%. This was announced by FiBL and its partners at Biofach in Nuremberg.

New Managing Director at Rapunzel

Company founders Joseph Wilhelm and Margit Epple are no longer alone at the head of Rapunzel. This is because the organic producer from the Allgäu region has welcomed a new member to its management team.

German organic specialist trade: 6.2% growth in 2018

The sales development in the fourth quarter confirms the previous development: In 2018, the organic specialist trade achieved an overall increase of 6.2% in daily turnover - despite increasingly tough competition.

Nigeria permits cultivation of GM-beans

Nigerian farmers are now allowed to grow genetically modified (GM) black eyed peas. The plant produces a bt-toxin to ward off the bean pyralid. The manipulated genetic material for this comes from the genetic engineering company Monsanto.

French court bans Bayer pesticide with glyphosate

The herbicide Roundup Pro 360 from Bayer may no longer be sold and used in France. This was decided by the administrative court of the French city of Lyon. The judges argued that the approval of the weedkiller by the ANSES in 2016 was flawed.

Cocoa producers demand more Fair Trade

Hunger wages, poverty, child labour: The fact that many cocoa farmers live below the poverty line was an important topic at the International Confectionery Fair (ISM) in Cologne. Even a higher minimum price for Fairtrade cocoa is not enough if we want to continue eating chocolate.

How Amazon uses free product samples to catch more customers

Online retailer Amazon started to test sending free product samples to customers. At the moment, the program is limited to the United States. Nevertheless, international retailers should take a closer look a the program.

Pesticides also in organic gardens

Pesiticide drift pollutes wild herbs just as much as domestic gardens. A monitoring program by the German tea and herb specialist Heuschrecke now shows how dangerous this drift is.

Organic farming wins performance comparison

German scientists have presented the most comprehensive study to date on the ecological and social performance of organic agriculture. The result is clear: Organic farming leads in five out of seven areas.

Germany: New standard for therapy-related cosmetics

With Nature Thanxs, the Society for Applied Business Ethics (GfaW) has introduced a new standard for skin care cosmetics for neurodermatitis and other skin diseases. Read what this is about.

BioFach 2019 in Nuremberg: Event tips

At BioFach, the world's leading trade fair in Nuremberg, not only lots of new products will be presented, but also valuable information for everyday trading. Here are a few event tips.

Coffee: Corporations cash in

Worldwide, more than two billion cups of coffee are drunk every day. That makes an annual turnover of 175 billion euros. But there is less and less for the farmers.

Germany: Certifier Ecocert called to adjust standard for detergents and cleaning agents

Ecocert has to develop its standard further. If nothing changes, detergents and cleaning agents with Ecocert certification may soon fall out of the assortment guidelines of the specialist organic trade. Read about the reasons for this.

How sensor technology facilitates food transports for freight forwarders

Modern sensor technology integrates food transports into the Internet of Things and thus, reduces the risk of the goods spoiling on their way to their destination.

US: USDA introduces controversial label for GM food

The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) has issued an ordinance regulating how food containing genetically modified ingredients is to be labelled in the USA in future. Consumer protectors criticized the regulation as inadequate.

GM rape found in Bayer seeds

The Bayer Group sold rapeseed contaminated with traces of the genetically modified GT73 rapeseed line. GT73 is not approved for cultivation in the EU, and zero tolerance applies: even with minor contamination, the seed is not marketable and may not be cultivated.

Green Fashion: Innatex next week in Berlin

Sustainable fashion, lifestyle products and accessories: the international trade fair for natural textiles, Innatex, once again invites visitors to the Wallau Exhibition Centre. The smaller trade fair spin-off Xoom is already running.