Pesticide rebels in court

For years, Alexander Schiebel, author of the German book "Das Wunder von Mals", and agricultural expert Karl Bär have been accompanying the South Tyrolean community of Mals in its fight against the use of pesticides. Now they have to stand trial in court in the Italian city of Bozen. Their crime: telling the truth.

First half of 2020: Organic share in Austrian retail double-digit for the first time

In Austria, the share of organic goods in retail is expected to have risen to 10 percent for the first time only within the first half of the year. This was announced last week by the Austrian Minister of Agriculture Elisabeth Köstinger (Austrian People’s Party), according to a report by derstandard.de.

EU-Organic-Regulation to be postponed

On the initiative of the EU Commission, the new organic legislation will not be applied until 2022. The EU Parliament and the member states first have to give their approval, but the organic sector is already breathing a sigh of relief.

Bio-Suisse makes bud label almost unattainable for Aldi and Lidl

The umbrella organization of Swiss organic producers has established new rules. For discount store chains, the use of the Bud label is thus moving into the far distance. Rumor has it that competitor Coop might have something to do with it.

12th European Sustainable Cosmetics Summit goes Digital

On 2-5^th November 2018, the conference by Ecovia Intelligence takes place virtually for the first time due to the Corona pandemic. The digital SCS-edition will discuss the sustainability implications of the corona crisis.

Oatly faces international shitstorm after Blackstone investment deal

After the million-dollar deal with the investment company Blackstone, the organic oat drink producer is experiencing an international call for boycotts by former customers – Oatly backs up.

Johannes Gutmann and organic pioneers found new network

Recently, Sonnentor-founder Gutmann met five other entrepreneurs in the Upper Austrian Mühlviertel. In the future, the companies‘ heads will visit each other to learn from other business practices . In this way, a unique network of organic friends is to be created.

Natural Cosmetics Conference: Corona writes the future

Under the motto "Sustainability is the new luxury" participants of the 13th Natural Cosmetics Conference will meet in Berlin on 29 and 30 September 2020. On the agenda are corona-related industry developments and other interesting topics.

International Green Week 2021: Branch meeting instead of large trade fair

Due to the Corona pandemic, the Green Week will be smaller than usual next year due to the exclusion of the public. The trade audience will experience a B2B event with a new concept in January 2021.

Amazon continues to shake up US retail trade

According to an Amercian blog on food and tech, online giant Amazon plans to launch a new concept with grocery stores in the US stationary trade. For this purpose, the company has supposedly already registered a new trademark.

How meat replacements affect the environment

The production of meat is harmful to the environment. But what about the alternatives? The study "Meat of the future" published by the German Environment Agency provides information.

FiBL Europe with new president

The previous President of FiBL Europe, Urs Niggli, handed over the reins to Beate Huber at the beginning of July. The long-standing director of FiBL Switzerland is retiring.

Tegut extends its Amazon product range

The German food retailer now sells almost 2,000 more organic products via the Amazon service Prime Now. In total, a full range of 6,000 Tegut articles is available online - and the trend is rising.

Vegan product alternatives with the highest growth potential

According to a consumer survey in nine European countries, the desire for good vegan substitutes for cheese is particularly high. But the demand is also growing for other plant-based product groups.

Natexpo allowed to take place

The international organic trade fair in Lyon will be open to visitors from 21 to 22 September 2020. Due to the corona crisis, some rules have to be considered.

Guest article by Gerald A. Herrmann: Fraud jumps to new heights amid Corona crisis

Covid-19 has caused a worldwide crisis that scrutinizes health, social and economic systems around the globe. The virus and its direct and indirect consequences for businesses, such as officially ordered shutdowns, a lack of personnel and logistic delays, have put unprecedented pressure on many supply chains. Unfortunately, crime tends to prosper in times of crisis, and neither the food sector as a whole nor the organic sector are excluded from this sad truth.

Oat drink manufacturer Oatly is worth 1.75 billion

The Swedish company Oatly has increased its value to about 1.75 billion euros by selling a shareholding. The deal was struck by an investment company and several US celebrities.

Wessanen buys organic producer Danival

After about nine years, the US company Hain Celestial is selling Danival, the French organic food producer. Wessanen, the new buyer describes this acquisition as the perfect addition to the other companies in the group.

Guest article by Gerald A. Herrmann: The ups and downs of international organic trade: how is this possible?

The organic sector has been shattered by various scandals on national and international levels. The bigger the scandals, the more dramatic the consequences for the countries of origin, which brings about huge shifts in international commodity flows, as import and export figures indicate.

Agribusiness Drives Severe Decline of Essential Insects