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India-produced organic shrimp will cater for EU market

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During the India International Seafood Show held in Goa in January 2018, the Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA) signed a Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC) with M/s Coop Cooperative, Switzerland, for the development of organic aquaculture in India with an objective to tap the growing EU market for organic marine products.

Monsanto met with contempt by media

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First results of Ramazzini Institute´s Global Glyphosate Study were presented officially in a press conference at the European Parliament. Sustainable Pulse commented Monsanto has committed an epic fail.

Italy: Ramazzini Institute´s glyphosate research project

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One of the leading cancer research organisations in the world is launching the most comprehensive independent study on glyphosate & glyphosate-based herbicides ever. Funding for the complete budget is needed.

Organic fashion: GOTS India Seminar 2018

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GOTS India Seminar 2018 is the third event in India organized by the Global Organic Textile Standard organisation (GOTS). Earlier events in Mumbai and New Delhi were highly appreciated by participants and industry informs the organiser. The main topic this time will be sustainability.

Pilot study shows adverse health effects from glyphosate doses considered safe

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India: Food regulator plans a GMO label

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The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has made a proposal to labal all packaged food products containing genetically modified (GM) ingredients.

USA: smiley label for GMO foods introduced

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GMWatch UK informed about the proposals of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) to label food that contains genetically engeneered ingredients. The drafts show smileys and sunny faces as labels.

Global protests: March Against Monsanto #MAM

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The organisation March Against Monsanto #MAM announced that 2018 May 19th will be the date for the 7th international March Against Monsanto grassroots campaign. The global events will take place in hundreds of cities on six continents with the objective to further educate and raise awareness about Monsanto’s genetically modified seeds and the increasingly toxic food supply, as well as its merger with the German pesticide, GMO and pharmaceutical giant Bayer.  

USDA released proposal for regulations for GMO Labeling

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On Monday this week the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) released the long-awaited proposed regulations for the mandatory disclosure of foods produced using genetic engineering (GE or GMO), which it calls “Bioengineered foods.” This is reported by Sustainable Pulse online.

Natural & Organic Awards Europe: winners announced

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The awards, which celebrate the standout brands, products and retailers of the year, were hosted by Natural Products News in association with the Soil Association.

Natural & Organic Products Europe 2018 ended very successfully

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More than 10,000 attendees from 91 countries came to the Natural & Organic Products Europe trade show at London ExCeL venue last week, on 22-23 April.

Tea in shortage

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Drought, strikes and unrests limit the choice in the tea shelves. Rooibos and Darjeeling are particularly affected by the consequences. While the deficiency will continue for the also called bush tea or redbush tea, recovery is in sight for Darjeeling tea from India (see our earlier report).

Naturland demands fair wages for cocoa farmers

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Cocoa is the main source of income for over five million smallholders, mostly from West Africa. At the fourth World Cocoa Conference from 22^nd to 25^th April, 1,500 players from the cocoa industry met to exchange views and also to discuss the working conditions for cocoa farmers. On this occasion, Naturland demanded the conference’s participants to take action by passing concrete resolutions in favour of cocoa smallholders.

Oeko-Tex introduces GMO testing for organic cotton

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Organic cotton textiles that companies also want to have certified according to the international Oeko-Tex 100 textile standard will in future require proof that the cotton is free from genetically modified organisms (GMOs).

Brazil: Green Rio gathers representatives of the Green Economy

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On May 24, 25 and 26, the seventh edition of Green Rio/Green Latin America will take place at Marina da Glória venue in Rio de Janeiro. The event will bring together exhibitors and speakers from the organic and sustainable sector as well as representatives of the Green Economy.

Ecovia: Blockchain to build a sustainable food industry?

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Blockchain is taking off, with a growing number of food companies and retailers experimenting with this new technology. Ecovia Intelligence (formerly Organic Monitor) sees blockchain bringing many sustainability benefits to the food industry. This will be one of the topics at the Sustainable Food Summit in Amsterdam in June.

New documentary about "Monsanto's Toxic Tricks"

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The Greens in the European Parliament released a documentary on the glyphosate scandal. The video shows in interviews and statements how Monsanto attacks organisations and scientists. Watch the film "Monsanto's Toxic Tricks".

Canada: Quebec government supports organic industry

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Quebec Province´s  liberal government recently unveiled a policy and a high budget to encourage the development of the food sector, including organic farming.

Biofach China: Business platform and innovation workshop

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The international organic sector will meet for the 12th edition of Biofach China from 24 to 26 May 2018 at the Shanghai World Expo Exhibition & Convention Center (SWEECC). About 480 exhibitors and about 18,000 visitors are expected from all around the world.

Study shows organic helps curb nitrogen pollution

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The US research organisiation The Organic Center recently released new research findings from the University of Virginia in collaboration with The Organic Center showing that organic farming can help reduce nitrogen pollution on a global scale.

China submits new maximum residue limits for pesticides in food to the WTO

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As we can see from the Global Agricultural Information Network (GAIN) report by the American Department of Agriculture (USDA), the People's Republic of China has recently submitted an extensive list of pesticides with corresponding maximum residue limits (MRLs) to the the World Trade Organization (WTO). 

Organic India: shape of things

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A strong regulatory framework and multiple policy initiatives lay the foundation for the rapid development of the organic foods sector in India in the coming years. With the surge in demand for organic foods, and the subsequent influx of new products into the market, organic certification has become crucial to ensure quality and prevent fraud and mislabelling. Certification develops confidence amongst consumers about the product’s genuineness as Organic. It also certifies that the product does not contain any non-organic ingredients and that it complies with the organic production standards laid out by regulatory authorities. Let us take a look at the certification processes in India for organic products.

Sikkim bans entry of non-organic foods

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Consolidating its organic stance further, the government of Sikkim has recently announced a ban on the supply of all perishable vegetables, mangoes and bananas into the state, from March 31 onwards.

IFOAM: Louise Luttikholt new Executive Director

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Louise Luttikholt is announced the new Executive Director of IFOAM Organics International, headquartered in Bonn, Germany. She follows Markus Arbenz and will take the responsibility from July 2018 .

EU Commission clears Bayer-Monsanto merger

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The European Commission has approved under the EU Merger Regulation the acquisition of Monsanto by Bayer. The merger is conditional on the divestiture of an extensive remedy package, which addresses the parties' overlaps in seeds, pesticides and digital agriculture, announced the EU authorities.