Farmers get more money for Fairtrade cocoa

Fairtrade International has raised the minimum price for fair trade cocoa. But that is not enough for a decent life.

Solution Search: New report on community-based farming solutions to protect biodiversity

During the UN-led Convention on Biological Diversity - Conference of the Parties (CBD COP), Solution Search: Farming for Bioversity presented a report on 338 community-based solutions that help farmers and other agricultural practitioners to adopt environmentally friendly practices to protect biodiversity.

In-Ovo-Selection: German „Bruderhahn-Initiative“ takes a stand

Without killing chicks: The conventional food retail markets eggs whose production involves the sorting out of eggs with male embyros. Now, the German "Bruderhahn Initiative" has expressed its opinion - and is also criticising the organic sector.

Weleda breaks new ground

By the end of the year, Weleda will kick-off within a new business branch. In the three Dutch cities, the natural cosmetics manufacturer opens newly furbished city-spas.

Green logistics at sea: Innovations for cleaner marine transports

The organic sector often imports bananas, cocoa or coffee by ship. An already quite environmentally friendly way of transport - but still, it could get cleaner.

FiBL: Contribution to the integrity of the international organic market

After four years, the FiBL-project Consolidation of Organic Certification Bodies ended successfully. The project which aimed at strengthening organic certification bodies, helped professionalising four authorites with the SECO-financed development project.

EU scientific advisors call for changing the genetic engineering law

The scientific advisors to the EU Commission have presented a paper in which they urge the Commission to change genetic engineering legislation. Some European and German politicians agree.

Organic companies sign open letter to EU Commission

Against genetic engineering: 75 companies have sent an open letter to the EU Commission. These include many organic companies as well as conventional ones.

EU slam for inspection body in Kenya

The EU Commission has examined the branch of an international certifier in Kenya and issued a very poor certificate for its work. So far, however, it has only had to do a little detention.

Eosta: Pilot project on living wages

Are minimum wages a useful concept for sustainability? To find an answer, Dutch organic importer Eosta has carried out a pilot project with Kenyan organic avocado farmers.

UK: Workshop on Renerative Agriculture

From 4th to 8th February 2019, IFOAM EU and 42 Acres Retreat offer a training course on regenerative and organic agriculture development.

Germany: Alnatura back on growth track

In recent years, the German company Alnatura had listed significantly lower increases in sales. Current figures and targets for the coming year were presented at the annual press conference.

Johan de Visser at Bio Borrel’s December edition

On 17^th December 2018, the next edition of BioBorrel will take place at Pakhuis de Zwijger in Amsterdam at 6 pm.

L'Oréal appoints new head of Logocos

L'Oréal has appointed a new CEO for Logocos Naturkosmetik AG - not the only personnel change for the natural cosmetics manufacturer, which recently became part of L'Oréal.

Soybeans from Ukraine: Genetically modified and undeclared

In Ukraine, genetically modified soybeans are cultivated illegally on a large scale and marketed without declaration. This is shown by studies conducted by the Romanian environmental organisation Agent Green.

Why the organic community should fall in love with true prices – Interview with Adrian de Groot Ruiz

The economist Adrian de Groot Ruiz reveals how he calculates the true prices of our food. Read about the advantages he sees for organic trade - and where he would first look for hidden social and economic costs.

New method for egg production: When male chicks do not even hatch

Gender determination in the egg provides the possibility to only breed laying hens. The first eggs produced in this way are now available in conventional retail.

German organic producer takes on Danone

The German brewery Neumarkter Lammsbräu has issued a warning to the Danone Group. Because its mineral water subsidiary Volvic advertises its water with the terms "Naturally organic" and "Premium mineral water in organic quality".

Jan Plagge is Chairman of the Civil Dialogue Group

The Civil Dialogue Group is the EU Commission's most important advisory body on the reform of the Common Agricultural Policy after 2020. Jan Plagge, previously Vice-Chairman, is now Chairman.

Switzerland: Organic sales of vegetables, fruit and milk increase significantly

From September 2017 to August 2018, customers bought 7 percent more organic vegetables in Swiss retail outlets than in the same period last year. Sales of fruit and milk increased as well.