Associations/Institutions

IFOAM and FiBL study: Socio-economic impacts of GMOs on European agriculture

Associations/Institutions Associations/Institutions

IFOAM EU Group recently released a new study on the impacts of GMOs on European agriculture, in partnership with FiBL (Research Institute of Organic Agriculture). Because of the high risk of adventitious presence of GMOs at different steps of the production chain and the consequences, there is a huge effort and high expense for measures to avoid contamination. The study aims at identifying coexistence strategies of non-GM and organic supply chain actors to ensure GMO-free products and estimate the coexistence costs.

Scotland organic sales up 19.4%

Associations/Institutions Associations/Institutions

According to the Soil Association’s 2018 Organic Market Report sales of organic in Scotland were growing at a rate of 19.4% in 2017, and account for 6.5% of all UK sales.

Denmark: Coop launches organic agriculture fund

Associations/Institutions Associations/Institutions

According to a press release the Danish retailer Coop Denmark together with environmental associations is raising funds to support organic farming in Denmark. 

Navdanya International: taking a stand against exploitation

Associations/Institutions Associations/Institutions

On the 10^th of July 2017, the conference “Poisons at the Door: Food, health and environmental risks in the new global market” initiated by Navdanya International took place in Rome, Italy. The main issue discussed during the conference, was the impact of Free Trade Agreements like CETA and how they affect our food and product systems.

IFOAM Annual Report 2016 is published

Associations/Institutions Associations/Institutions

‘Powered by People’ is the title of the recently published IFOAM Annual Report 2016. It summarizes general information about the worldwide organic movement and countless actions of IFOAM staff, World Board, ambassadors, volunteers, self-organized-structures, members and like-minded partners.

10 years of Natrue: 5,000 products carry the label

Associations/Institutions Associations/Institutions

Natrue was founded in 2007 by pioneers of the Natural and Organic Cosmetics industry order to establish an internationally uniform standard for Natural and Organic Cosmetics and eliminate confusion among consumers.

UK: Next government must prioritise soil

Associations/Institutions Associations/Institutions

A news item published by the Soil Association explains that in the run-up to the general election in the UK they are urging all parties to commit to protecting and restoring soil health in their manifestos. 

The Germans: over 70% buy organics

Associations/Institutions Associations/Institutions

In a brief press release, BÖLW – the German Association of Organic Food Producers and Traders – commented in April on the results of the Eco-Barometer 2017 of the Federal Ministry for Food and Agriculture.

Protecting soil worldwide

Associations/Institutions Associations/Institutions

Earth day is an event in April every year that is celebrated in more than 150 countries to encourage people to think about the consequences of consumption and to behave responsibly and sustainably.

Agriculture and climate change

Associations/Institutions Associations/Institutions

Organic farming can mitigate climate change. With the CAP to be reviewed and member states working on plans to achieve carbon neutrality IFOAM EU calls on agriculture to play its part in preventing climate change.

New York: protesters seek clarity from TIAA

Associations/Institutions Associations/Institutions

An article posted last week by Friends of the Earth explains how FOE and a coalition of environmental, human rights and family farm organizations recently delivered a letter with over 100,000 signatures to pension fund management company TIAA. 

Bioland and FNAB strengthen cooperation

Associations/Institutions Associations/Institutions

Bioland and the French organic growers association FNAB are seeking closer collaboration.

Tribunal: Monsanto violates human rights

Associations/Institutions Associations/Institutions

The role of changing value chains in a sustainable food system

Associations/Institutions Associations/Institutions

In June 2016, a conference was organised by the Sustainable Food System Programme together with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP). The results have now been published.

IFOAM: Pesticides a global human rights concern; call for a new treaty

Associations/Institutions Associations/Institutions

IFOAM Organics International recently reported on the demand of two UN experts that dangerous pesticides used in agriculture should be regulated and phased out and should be replaced by sustainable farming techniques.

USA: Sonny Perdue, agribusiness and the future of American agriculture

Associations/Institutions Associations/Institutions

In recent articles, Friends of the Earth (FOE) have drawn attention to the strong opposition to the nomination of Sonny Perdue as the head of the USDA.

EU: Member states still reject GM agriculture

Associations/Institutions Associations/Institutions

At the end of March IFOAM EU published a press statement explaining the rejection by the EU member states of GMO for the second time this year.

Roundup – carcinogenic or not?

Associations/Institutions Associations/Institutions

Has evidence that Roundup causes cancer been suppressed? Collusion on the part of Monsanto and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)?

USA: Organic Farming Research Foundation´s report on challenges of organic farming

Associations/Institutions Associations/Institutions

In the USA the demand for organic food is growing rapidly and there is a need for more research so that farmers can deal with the special difficulties and problems that accompany practising organic agriculture

Organic Monitor Re-launched as Ecovia Intelligence

Associations/Institutions Associations/Institutions

This month sees Organic Monitor changing its name to  Ecovia Intelligence. Well known in the organic world for its focus on ethical and sustainable development, Organic Monitor was founded in 2001 to assist operators in the organic products industry by providing business intelligence.

An award waiting to be won

Associations/Institutions Associations/Institutions

Every three years IFOAM - Organics International and the Rural Development Administration (RDA) honour the excellent work of organic innovators with the Organic Farming Innovation Award (OFIA).

Textile Sustainability Conference 2016 taking place in Germany

Associations/Institutions Associations/Institutions

Textile Exchange (TE) has announced details of its annual Textile Sustainability Conference which this year takes place in Hamburg, Germany from the 4th to 7th of October.

The textile guide: How to minimize environmental and social impacts

Associations/Institutions Associations/Institutions

Earlier in July, the 5th edition of a unique, printed guide to global textile standards, labels and legislation came out.

Farewell to Elisabeth Mercier from Agency Bio

Associations/Institutions Associations/Institutions

On July 1st, Florent Guhl, 48 years old, will take over the Directorate of Agence BIO in France. This is the farewell to Elisabeth Mercier.

Empowering small farmers and advocating for their interests

Associations/Institutions Associations/Institutions

IFAD Annual report 2015 has recently been published in order to explain about their work, investments and results.