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New study: Eating organic food reduces cancer risk

Know How Studies

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.

Study analyses the German organic poultry market

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Market share, price and distribution channels: The German association Agrarmarkt Informations-Gesellschaft (AMI) has published a study on the German organic poultry market.

New Fair Trade Charter: How world trade can work for all

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The global Fair Trade movement has published a new International Fair Trade Charter. The charter determines the values of Fair Trade and defines a vision for implementing of the UN sustainable development goals.

Glyphosate makes bees prone to infections

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Officially, glyphosate has so far been considered safe for bees. Now, American scientists have shown that glyphosate changes the intestinal flora of bees, making them more susceptible to infections.

Austria: Conversion to organic farming without regrets

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According to a survey, 98% of Austrian organic farmers would decide to switch back to organic farming again. Many of them see organic farming as an attitude to life.

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. 

Spain: Double-digit growth of the organic market

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With more than two million hectares Spain has for the first time taken the lead in Europe concerning certified organic land. This is one of the results of a new report by the organic consultancy EcoLogical. The organic market is developing well, the main reasons being increasing demand, better availability and investment on the part of producers. The report  has been compiled from a number of sources and provides data on the current situation in the Spanish organic sector.

Austria: 100% organic food supply is possible

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A 100% supply of Austria with domestic, organically produced food is possible. This is the result of a new study carried out by the Centre for Global Change at the University of Natural Resources and Applied Life Sciences Vienna (BOKU) and the Research Institute of Organic Agriculture (FiBL). By the study, the authors show the economic advantages and positive consequences for health and the environment. The study was presented by the initiative Mother Earth as well as Greenpeace as part of the key subject 2018 “Look where your food comes from!”

Spain: Impressive growth in the organic sector

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EcoLogical, an  independent consultancy for organic businesses in Spain, has published the ‘Organic Sector in Spain 2018’. This report gathers the most up-to-date information about national and international public bodies and contains original studies about the Spanish organic sector.

Germany: Glyphosate study "tree bark"

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An alliance of organic producers and traders wants to promote "agriculture suitable for the grandchildren". Experts assume that pesticides spread via the air and are quasi ubiquitous. A tree bark study on the initiative "Aktion Ackergifte? No, thank you" will prove that.

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.

Pilot study shows adverse health effects from glyphosate doses considered safe

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Packaging Congress: Germany says goodbye to the plastic bag

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According to a survey by the Deutsches Verpackungsinstitut e.V. dvi, the time of the plastic bag is over: Over 80% of German consumers bring their own shopping bags. ©

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.

Germany: Around 25% of market launches were organic in 2017

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One quarter of all food and beverage products introduced in Germany in 2017 were organic. Furthermore, almost three quarters of consumers wish for an even greater choice of organic food and beverages at their place of purchase. This is what Mintel Global New Products Database (GNPD) has found out.

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.

UK: more than 20% growth for organic cosmetics

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According to The Soil Association’s Organic Beauty & Wellbeing Market Report the organic and natural beauty market was worth £75.9 million (85.6 mn €) in 2017, up 24% on the previous year. 

European organic market grows to over 33 billion euros

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The European Union is the world's second largest single market for organic products after the United States.In 2016, organic retail sales in Europe rose by 11.4 percent to 33.5 billion euros, while organic sales in the EU member states significantly exceeded the 30 billion euro mark and reached 30.7 billion euros. The figures were traditionally compiled by the Research Institute for Organic Agriculture (FiBL), the Agrarmarkt Informations-Gesellschaft (AMI) and partners and presented at the Biofach.

Global organic data show resilient growth

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A booming organic sector: more farmers, more land and a growing market. This is the résumé of the 19th edition of „The World of Organic Agriculture“. The Research Institute of Organic Agriculture (FiBL) and IFOAM – Organics International launched  the statistical yearbook at Biofach  2018 in Nuremberg. This comprehensive collection of the latest available data (2016) on organic agriculture worldwide contains data on area, operators, and retail sales: 57.8 million hectares of organic agricultural land – organic market grows to almost 90 billion US Dollars.

Study: Germans want to reduce food waste

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Mintel: key trends for 2018

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Mintel has identified five key trends set to impact the global food and drink market in 2018. They include transparency, traceability, self-care, and scientifically engineered ingredients.

Global warming may increase pests - organic system more resilient

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A recent study published in the Journal Integrative and Comparative Biology has found that organic systems may be more resilient to pest pressure as global temperatures increase.