NEWS
European
parliament lifts GM food ban
The European parliament has lifted the ban on genetically modified
foods, instead choosing to impose a strict labelling regime that
could stave off a trade war with the US.
In the face of US opposition, MEPs voted to step up labelling
standards, improving consumer information and clarity about GM
content in all crops and ingredients.
CAP
- Farm deal slated
The recent agreement to reform the 45-year old Common Agricultural
Policy has been roundly rejected by NGOs and farmers' unions alike.
The UK based development NGO Oxfam, which campaigns against world
poverty, said it believed the reform will be a disaster for the
poor. From the environmentalists perspective the deal also appears
to be bad.
No
end to world hunger without biotech
Without urgent investment in agricultural development - including
controversial biotechnology - hundreds of millions will remain
underfed in coming years, the Consultative Group on International
Agricultural Research (CGIAR) said.
Updated rules on Protected Geographical Indication
(PGI)
The EU has updated rules on the register of protected food names.
The update has three important objectives, these are to;
allow producers to include their product specifications the requirement
that packaging of products must take place in a defined geographical
area so as to preserve their typical characteristics and/or to
ensure their traceability or control;
bring the EU’s regulation in line with the WTO’s intellectual
property rules and make it possible for third countries to apply
for products to be registered;
include new products such as mustard and pasta in the scope of
the regulation.
EC Newsletter, May 2003
from: Sustain.
London and South worst for healthy eating in
schools
London and the South seems to be the worst region for healthy
eating in schools, with only 41% of schools encouraging healthy
eating, the lowest figure in the UK. Schools in the region are
the most likely to have vending machines, which can probably be
blamed for a much higher consumption of chocolate – with
40% of children spending money on chocolate compared with 28%
nationally. Only 57% of parents in the region through school meals
were satisfactory compared with an overall average of 63% and
children were the least interested in learning to cook and the
least likely to exercise.
Source: Fruit and Vegetables Market, research from ‘Cooking
and Eating Habits’ report (£799) from Key Note.
from: Sustain.
Online
drive for food traceability
A new online shopping website has been launched aiming to promote
food traceability and close the gap between farmer and consumer.Farm
Gate Direct was unveiled last week (w/e 27 June) by Freedom Food,
an RSPCA-run scheme set up to improve animal welfare standards
on farms.
The website is a platform for Freedom Food members to increase
their profits and sell their produce locally, while supporting
some of the organisation's goals of cutting down the supply chain
and reducing live animal transport.
Asda/Wal-Mart
Exploits Planning Loophole
US retail giant Wal-Mart is exploiting a loophole in UK planning
rules to greatly expand its floorspace. It intends to put in 40
mezzanine floor extensions around the country.
Free
Trade Myths Behind WTO Investment
A new report, exposes the arguments for a new free trade agreement
on foreign investment at the World Trade Organisation as groundless
myths.
Harlow's
new Asda appeals for local input
The new £30m Asda store in Harlow, due to open in September,
is appealing for businesses to come forward with local products
they think shoppers would like to see stocking the shelves.
PUBLICATIONS / WEBSITES
EVENTS
2-day course on Project Planning and Fund-raising
at the Community Resource Centre in Bridport
The course is in two parts, the first focusing on Project Planning
(Wednesday, 16th July) and the second, which builds Part 1, on
Fund-raising (Wednesday 20th August). The course will be repeated
in September, and it will be possible to attend Part 2 then.
The course will be delivered by Tim Crabtree, West Dorset Food
and Land Trust's Training and Development Manager, and by Valerie
Stevens, an experienced business start-up trainer.
(01308) 420269
tim.crabtree@foodandland.org
Better School Dinners,
4 September 2003, Monmouth
Organised by Sustain and Wye Valley Area of Outstanding Natural
Beauty in association with Adventa, Gloucestershire Food Links,
and Herefordshire Food Links. The conference will explore how
schools can procure local, sustainable food as a means of improving
the quality, uptake, and sustainability of school meals to the
benefit of the local economy, environment and people.
Contact; Catherine Fookes, Wye Valley AONB, Hadnock Rd, Monmouth,
NP25
3NG, Tel: 01600 710841 or Email: development@wyevalleyaonb.co.uk
Organic
Food Festival 2003
6 and 7 September Bristol – various locations
Developing the Local
Food Economy Course
at Losehill Hall, 1st-2nd September(organised with f3)
Peak District National Park Centre
Tel:01433 620373
nw.losehill@peakdistrict-npa.gov.uk
www.losehill-training.org.uk
JOBS
Job adverts cost £100 for each newsletter (circulation
over 900).
Please send copy to:news@locafood.org.uk
