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Genetic engineering researchers demand new genetic engineering law

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Scientists from biotech research institutions in Europe are calling for European genetic engineering legislation to be amended and GM plants to be exempted from its approval regulations. However, their demand encounters resistance.

New study: Eating organic food reduces cancer risk

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Scientists investigated the link between the consumption of organic food and the risk of developing cancer. Result: More organic food reduces the risk of cancer. However, the work has scientific weaknesses.

Microplastic found in humans for the first time

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For the first time, the Austrian Federal Environmental Agency and the Medical University of Vienna have proven that microplastics also occur in the human digestive system.

Germany: Microplastic in food worries consumers

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83% of German consumers are familiar with the topic of microplastics in food and 56% of them are therefore worried. The BfR determined this in its current consumer monitor.

Biological warfare with insects and genetic viruses?

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The US-research agency DARPA is funding a research program that uses insects to release GM-viruses that can alter the genome of crops in the field. Scientists warn that such a system can be used as a biological weapon.

FiBL: SMART Tool to assess food chains

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The run-up to the Swiss referendum on the Fair Food Initiative has shown that people want more sustainability and transparency with regard to the origin and production of food. FiBL has developed the "SMART tool" to make such achievements visible.

Agro genetic engineering: Nothing new on the fields

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Recently, mainly new genetic engineering methods have been discussed. However, genetic engineering companies continue to rely on plants that are resistant to herbicides and insect pests using classical genetic engineering methods.

Study: Organic farming can feed Europe

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What if? A study by the French IDDR Institute shows the positive consequences of an agro-ecological restructuring of European agriculture up to 2050.

Germany: Coconut oil controversy

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A German professor described coconut oil as "the pure poison". This has triggered a broad debate about the health benefits of this food, which has become increasingly popular in recent years.

Genetic engineering is not beyond the fall armyworm

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A new pest is threatening agricultural yields worldwide. Now, some scientists and manufacturers are propagating genetically modified Bt-maize as a solution to the triumphant advance of the pest. Instead, holistic strategies are needed.

TP Organics: Call for Innovations 2018

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TP Organics calls for innovations in order to compile solutions contributing to the transformation of European food & farming systems based on organic and agroecological principles.

Core Organic: Europe-wide research for organic farming continues

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Fruit growing, animal husbandry, processing: European research into organic farming is being continued with the Core Organic Cofund programme. Seven of the eleven projects are funded by the German Government's organic and sustainability programme BÖLN.

CRISPR is not free from risks

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Nature Biotechnology reported CRISPR could cause mutations and genetic damage. This new method of genetic engineering has been hyped as one of the most important breakthroughs in modern science. 

RELACS EU: Project website launched

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The recently introduced European project Replacement of Contentious Inputs in Organic Farming Systems (RELACS) has just launched its new project website.

FiBL: Open day in Frick

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On 19^th August 2018 from 10 am to 5 pm, FiBL Switzerland invites interested parties to an open day in Frick, Canton of Aargau in Switzerland.

Human induced climate change likely to have caused current heat wave

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According to reports by The Guardian and BBC Online, the current heatwave in Europe was made more than twice as likely by climate change caused by human behavior, scientists state.

High-tech in organic agriculture: the Internet of Things

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Robots, sensors and artificial intelligence: The Internet of Things is becoming more and more involved in agriculture. This also presents opportunities for the organic sector.

Leopoldina: Experts’ discussion paper calls for sustainable plant protection

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Recently, the German National Academy of Sciences Leopoldina published the discussion paper “The Silent Spring – On the need for sustainable plant protection”, written by a group of experts including Prof Andreas Schäffer of RWTH Aachen University and Prof Juliane Filser of Bremen University among further authors.

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.

Pilot study shows adverse health effects from glyphosate doses considered safe

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

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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.

New research results: Environmental risks of genetic engineering plants underestimated

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Research results from China show that plants made resistant to glyphosate by genetic engineering have a surprisingly high potential for uncontrolled spread.

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.

Global study: neonicotinoids found in 75% of honey

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As the US based research institute Organic Center reported that almost 200 honey samples from across the globe contain a dangerous concentration of neonicotinoids.

Natural cosmetics: Amazon vs Zalando

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More and more consumers are ordering natural cosmetics on the internet. As figures from IRI Market Research testify, in the last few months 22 percent of consumers bought their cosmetics online.