Sustainable Foods Summit: North American Edition in San Francisco

From 16^th- 17^st January 2019, the North American edition of the Sustainable Foods Summit will be held in San Francisco, USA. The summit comprises four conference sessions.

EU Commission: Sued for lack of monitoring

A German organic raw material trader has sued the EU Commission. It is to pay for the damage caused by an inspection body approved by it.

Genetic engineering bacteria in animal feed spread antibiotic resistance

Genetically modified bacteria with antibiotic resistance were introduced into animal feed mixtures throughout Europe via a vitamin supplement.

Daniel von Meißner changes to Bio Development AG

Bio Development AG is seeking reinforcement: Daniel von Meißner will support the company in the future.

Examples of future-oriented organic farming

A lot of yield on a small area - for organic farmers this should be possible with elaborated ecological cultivation methods. Three examples.

Copper remains as a spraying agent

Copper may continue to be used in agriculture as a remedy against fungal diseases. This is what the EU Commission has proposed. Why?

France: New openings at record level

In France, the organic sector has been booming for years, sometimes with double-digit annual growth rates. In 2017, a further 265 organic stores opened their doors. Among them big organic players.

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.