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Stockbridge Technology

LED 4 Crops Uncategorized Posts

LED 4 Crops

  World LED Science  Our Partners Philips are bringing knowledge from all round the world […]

D-o-C thanks Nineveh Trust for supporting us with grant funding

Latest News Peat The Chancellors statement challenges the Use of Habitats directive to curtail economic growth . That is exactly what the White Paper does for horticulture .

Autumn Statement   •• ensure that compliance with the Habitats and Wild Birds Directives does […]

Current vacancies

Prospective applications always welcome

Graham Ward OBE

Interreg UV Robot at STC

UK Innovation Survey results

‘No substrates at all in commercial UK tomato greenhouse’

NHS tribute: David Jones and his Arable Farm team

From then till now!

Stockbridge Technology Centre was originally established as Horticultural Research International (HRI) Stockbridge House. Closed as […]

EIP-AGRI Workshop Cropping for the future

Northern Chartered Institute of Horticulture Dates for the Diary – Northern Branch

National Food Strategy – Call for Evidence

Withdrawal of outdoor uses of metaldehyde overturned following legal challenge

Royal Society The president of the Royal Society has warned the Tory leadership candidates that UK research could be damaged by a bad deal or no-deal Brexit

Sustainability Conference 2019: ‘Growing in the Green’

STC Sustainability Conference 2019: ‘Growing in the Green’ 24th June 2019, 1000-1530

STC Sustainability Conference 2019: ‘Growing in the Green’ 24th June 2019, 1000-1530, Stockbridge Technology Centre, […]

Vote now for the Ikea Gardening will Save the World garden

https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/2bQ8cSBCZl4FVvw6S69nZLb/the-bbc-rhs-peoples-choice-award

Save the Date – ProCam Open Day

7 June 2019 Cawood Demonstration tours and Variety Trials Open Day

Bayer Field day

Date: Thursday, 6 June 2019 Time: 9:30 am – 4:00 pm Location: Stockbridge Technology Centre, […]

Stockbridge featuring in the Financial Times

https://on.ft.com/2SRDail

NFU looks forward to 2040

https://www.nfuonline.com/nfu-online/news/the-future-of-food-2040/

Graham Porter launches his new book The Yorkshire Organic Gardener

[download id=”9539″]

Current, Powered by GE and Stockbridge Technology Centre Partner to Research the Farm of the Future

https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20181016005230/en/Current-Powered-GE-Stockbridge-Technology-Centre-Partn

STC congratulates Hayley on her new appointment’

AHDB new horticulture board chair is Hayley Campbell-Gibbons 9 August 2018, by Matthew Appleby The […]

New glasshouse @ STC

We’re delighted to see our new CHAP glasshouse complex making the horticultural news. Well done […]

Latest Yorkshire Post article from Dr David George

https://agricology.co.uk/field/blog/flower-power

UK position on Brexit

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/724982/The_future_relationship_between_the_United_Kingdom_and_the_European_Union_WEB_VERSION.pdf

Letter from Steve Baker to the Chair on science and innovation: future relations with EU institutions, 14 June 2018

https://www.parliament.uk/documents/commons-committees/science-technology/Correspondence/180614-Steve-Baker-to-Chair-science-and-innovation-17-19.pdf Future Science /Innovation relationships with EU. Some clarity, need agreement, need to pay, need […]

STC are delighted to announce that Dr Rhydian Beynon-Davies will (re)join our Science

STC are delighted to announce that Dr Rhydian Beynon-Davies will (re)join our Science team in […]

After Brexit UK Farming representatives agree a statement given below and taken from NFU publication

  The UK Farming Roundtable has agreed a list of principles that it believes should […]

UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) set out its plans to strengthen the UK’s world-leading knowledge economy

UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) set out its plans to strengthen the UK’s world-leading knowledge […]

Brexit, science and innovation: Government Response to the Committee’s Second Report

https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201719/cmselect/cmsctech/1008/100802.htm

Job Advert – New Science Opportunities at Stockbridge

      Stockbridge Technology Centre (STC) Ltd, based in Yorkshire, is one of the […]

Defra Consultation events on the proposed new Agricultural Policy on 20th & 29 March 2018

Defra Consultation events on the proposed new Agricultural Policy    Hexham Mart on March 20 […]

UV – ROBOT -Innovative UV-robotics to improve existing IPM strategies and to benefit farmers, consumers and the environment

        LEAD PARTNER ORGANISATION Proefcentrum Hoogstraten EMAILmarieke.vervoort@proefcentrum.be LOCAL CONTACT PERSON Phillip Davis – […]

Rt Hon Mr Michael Gove’s speech to NFY Annual Conference

https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/a-brighter-future-for-farming

STC & Biopesticides

Great article in the Commercial Greenhouse Grower    STC Biopesticides – FEB 2018

Sam Gyimah is the new BEIS Minister with responsability for Agri-tech

    Sam Gyimah was appointed Minister of State for Universities, Science, Research and Innovation (jointly with […]

Government’s 25 year Environmental Plan

https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/673203/25-year-environment-plan.pdf

Letter from HM Treasury on the Science Budget and Industrial Strategy 21 December 2017, clarifying some issues in the Industrial strategy

http://www.parliament.uk/documents/commons-committees/science-technology/Correspondence/171221-Treasury-to-Chair-Science-Budget-and-Industrial-Strategy.pdf

The illusion of a concrete Britain

Interesting stats for Defra when looking at spreading CAP monies on sustainable environment http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-42554635  

Winners of the Bayer/FACE Awards 2017

For a full list of the winners, visit: http://bit.ly/2hkSWjM

Special Charity Work Experience – Thank You

  Hello, I just wanted to convey my appreciation for your kind donation towards my […]

BLSA Obituary—David Piccaver

David was the person I noticed at the first BLSA meeting I attended, he had […]

Mr David Piccaver

It is with much sadness that we inform you that Mr David Piccaver a STC […]

A special Birthday at STC

Earlier this month one of STC’s longest serving members of staff celebrated a special birthday. […]

Images of SATS4CROPS

   

NFU response to Defra Peat response

Click Here to read the response

Defra response to Peat Task Force

Click Here to find out more.  

SATS 4 CROPS

Precision Farming for Sustainable Food Production Click Here to find out more about SATS4Crops

Defra consult on trying to rationalise advise on wildlife habitats.

Click Here to find out more.

UK Pesticide Guide 2013

– the only comprehensive printed reference for all products approved for use in agriculture, amenity, […]

Enhance your primary science curriculum with outside learning visits to farms and the countryside.

We are currently looking for schools to take part in an exciting new project – […]

New NERC website on sustainable food production

Click Here to find out more.

An Environmental professional network

Click Here for more information.

Global companies scored on their climate change efforts

Click Here to find out more.

Harper Adams gains University Status

Click Here to find out more.

The Pesticide Manual – NEW 16th edition

The internationally preferred source of pesticide information has been extensively revised and updated. More information […]

Natural England and Environment Agency, Defra are consulting on their future as part of the periodic Triennial Review of arm’s length bodies. The consultation places a straight forward choice between “enhanced” joint-working and better coordination of delivery (option 1) or a new, merged agency (option 2).

Click Here to find out more.

Ecostac – optimising ECOsystem Services in Terms of Agronomy and Conservation

Click Here to find out more about this STC HortLINK project.

CRD quarter 2 2012 report has now been published on the PRiF website.

Click Here to view the report.

Austrian view of a future food model for Europe

Click Here for more info.

Helping to revolutionise the way we grow plants

Click Here to read the article.

Crop Site comment on the Pollock report

Click Here to find out more.

LED and Chrysanthemums

Click Here to find out more.

LED does more than just save on energy.

Click Here to find out more. The Philips lighting stand will be present at this […]

Feeding the Future Prof Pollocks report on future of Research to implement Foresight Report on Climate Change

Click Here for more information.

Video of LED powered lettuce production in Holland (Deliscious)

Click Here to watch the video.

EFRA Committee seeks views on Ash Dieback by 14th January

Click Here to find out more.

10 new Spark Awards of £5000 for STC to do work for you on any problems to your business. Biosciences Knowledge Transfer Network

Do you have a bright idea for a new collaborative project? Are you part of an […]

The effects of changing diet on carbon and a discussion on how behavioural change might be influenced . A long hard road !

Click Here to find out more.

Preserving: WWII Wolds Memories, food out of season and wool

12 November 2012 – Preserving – memories, food and wool “It takes twenty years or […]

The ‘Sustainable Intensification: Growth from research and technology’, conference.

The ‘Sustainable Intensification: Growth from research and technology’, conference was held on 30 October 2012, organised […]

Focus on Light Spectrum for Horticulture Event

The impact of light on commercial horticulture goes beyond driving growth via photosynthesis.  Specific wavelengths […]

Spend on Agricultural Research increases World view.

Click Here to find out more.

Ash Dieback, a briefing.

Click Here to find out more.

Crop Protection Association appoint a new CEO

Click Here to view the press release.

Sci and Tech committee report on their investigations into science transfer overseas.Relevant to Rt Hon David Willetts call for input on a forward strategy

Click Here to find out more.

‘Highlights’ of the Govt response to the EFRA committee report on the White Paper

Peat 20. Given that peat extraction destroys irreplaceable habitats and causes greenhouse gas emissions, there […]

Bumble Bees also affected by pesticides

Click Here to find out more.

The FAO decisions on Food Security after Rome Conference. Lots of surveys

Click Here to find out more.

Interesting videos from Norfolk

Click Here to find out more.

Lettuce in Holland. The Pictures tell the story

Click Here to find out more.

Hull University will be imitating climate change at STC next year.How will insect predator populations change?

Click Here to view the article.

Philips Horti Newsletter

Click Here to view the latest Philips Horti Newsletter

World Food Day This is the Green contribution(UNEP) to food security debate to coincide with the FAO meeting in October

Click Here and Here to find out more.

EU changes emphasis on biofuels as food security debate escalates

Click Here to find out more.

UN puts pressure on biofuel policies at World Food Summit

Click Here to find out more.

Ground Beetles decline

Click Here to find out more.

FAO Experts paper on climate change and food security (world view)

Click Here to view the paper.

Videos From Challenges in Vertical Farming Workshop

Leaders in vertical farming gathered on September 26 at the University of Maryland for the […]

Rt Hon Davis Willetts calls for comment on future of Agri Tech for future

Click Here to find out more.

Delivering More Crop Per Drop Conference

Click Here to view the brochure.

Local Food Report on the Lottery funded project

Click Here to view the report

Two press articles on peat following Sinclair Financial Statement

Article One Click Here   Article Two Click Here

Latest Program now on line and Farming bites – A new way to learn

Two great ‘bites’ of news in this e-mail Even easier access ‘New’ way to learn […]

Letter to Owen Patterson on Minor Uses of PPP’s

A joint letter on behalf of all NFUs has been sent to the new Secretary […]

EU consults on risk of plant protection products to bees.

Click Here to find out more.

CRD Regulatory Update: Evaluation of Products Containing Green Route Active Substances Following Peer Review.

27 September 2012: This Regulatory Update sets out how CRD will deal with any changes […]

B-Lines report on their project to create/integrate biodiversity in the whole landscape rather than hot spots.

Click Here to find out more.

Biochar for sustainable agriculture.

Click Here to find out more about Biochar.

24 September 2012 – Bygone days, Bygone harvest and Bygone lambs

This program looks at how the products of harvest are used, cereals and lamb. Also […]

Rt Hon David Willetts evidence on commercialisation of research to the Parliamentary Science and Technology Committee

Click Here to view the article.

Let your class grow up with a farmyard and the countryside right in their classroom

Hello, Our first program of the Autumn Term is now available FREE on-line at http://www.discovering-our-countryside.co.uk […]

Peter Seabrook Contaminated Compost Article

Click Here to view the article

Philips Horti-news covers the opening of the LED4CROPS by Rt Hon David Willetts

Click Here to find out more.

Horticulture: Building an industry for the future, IoH Conference & AGM

Horticulture: Building an industry for the future IoH Conference & AGM Saturday 6 October 2012 […]

Trying to develop a measureable protocol for biodiversity as an element of Corporate Responsibility in the Food Chain

Click Here to read the article.

LED Opening Selby Times Article

Click here to view the recent article in the Selby Times regarding the opening of […]

BPOA Growers Look Ahead Conference on 11 October

It is the only grower-focussed conference where you can see presentations on the technology and […]

RT Hon David Willetts opens LED4CROPS

The Minister for Universities and Science officially opened the LED 4 Crops facility at STC […]

Extract from the EFRA report on Peat in Horticulture in their White Paper review

Peat 66. English horticulture uses more than 2.4 million cubic metres of peat each year. […]

EFRA select committee says there is no timetable for 91 commitments but tighten further the 92nd namely the peat targets.

Click Here to find out more.

Lesson Updates !

Hello “Countryside Discoverers” Nearly there just a week to your well earned rest – not […]

PRiF Pesticide Residues monitoring report for Quarter 4 2011

Click Here to read the report. (please note that this is a large file and […]

NFU publish an analysis of the Fruit and Veg sector and its customer relationships.

It does not cover ornamentals and is a bit of a contrast to The Peat […]

Sir John Beddington’s successor to be Sir Mark Walport

Click Here to find out more.

NFU appoints new Director General

Click Here to find out more.

Great Yorkshire Show School Gardens Winner

Some 80 primary schools participate in this growing competition . The children also have to […]

The NFU has won the ‘Supreme Champion Award’ at the Great Yorkshire Show 2012.

The NFU has won the ‘Supreme Champion Award’ at the Great Yorkshire Show 2012. STC […]

Summer, when wonderful things can happen to quiet people. 9th July 2012

Our latest program looks at eating and drinking like an athlete, how milk is great […]

Discovering our Countryside will be at the Great Yorkshire Show

Come and see us in the growers area in the Flower Hall.

EU Commission consultation on the future of the Fruit and Veg regime (Producer Organisations)

Click Here  and Here to find out more.

Purdue University Investigating the effects of LED’s

Click Here to read the full press release.

Dominic Dyer will be stepping down as Chief Executive of the Crop Protection Association

Dominic Dyer will be stepping down as Chief Executive of the Crop Protection Association after […]

STC entomologist leads National Insect Week and meets HRH The Prince of Wales

Dr Luke Tilley, entomologist at STC, has coordinated a successful National Insect Week. The week’s […]

Technical Fate and Behaviour Assessment of Plant Protection Product Workshops-September 18t and 20th 2012

CRD will be holding two one-day workshops on technical aspects of the environmental fate and […]

PepsiCo Corporate water saving recognised with Stockholm Award

Click Here to find out more.

B20 Rio Summit Report

Click Here to read the full B20 report.   Promises made at the Rio summit […]

Eat Drink Fly like an athlete – latest video out now

http://www.discovering-our-countryside.co.uk/25-june-2012-eat-drink-fly-like-an-athlete/ Sign up for FREE, log in and enjoy…. The White Stuff -Great for athletes […]

Stockbridge Technology Centre launches LED Research Facility HDC News

Click Here to find out more.

Enhancing the Value of farm visits, Launch event report

Andrew Percy MP for Goole formally launched the 2012 programme of  DoC videos ‘Enhancing the […]

Good news – FREE Discovering-Our-Countryside videos will be available here next term as well !!

These education-based films allow you to bring the farm yard and countryside right into your […]

National Countryside Week 9-16 th July organised by Princes Trust

Click Here for more information

Top ten apprentices could win cash !!

Click Here to find out more.

Link to BBC Horizons, Urban farming and many other interesting links from BBC Horizons:

Click Here to visit the website and watch the videos.

Athletic Snails, Micro Bugs Yum! Yum!

Athletic Snails, Micro Bugs Yum! Yum! Latest program now on-line and features: Athletic Snails – […]

BBSRC bioscience funding winners announced

Click Here for more information.

Tomato genome cracked

Click Here to find out more.

Jack Rieley talks at the 14th International Peat Congress in Stockholm on English Peat policy and its rationale

Click Here to find out what was said.

NFU launch PR campaign on farming contribution to food in UK

Click Here to find out more.

The International Symposium on Growing Media and Soilless Cultivation 17-21 June 2013 Leiden, The Netherlands

The International Symposium on Growing Media and Soilless Cultivation is taking place on the 17-21 […]

Discovering Our Countryside Forth coming program content to help with your planning

Discovering-Our-Countryside Program Update Just to help you with your planning for the last half-term of […]

1st LED Stewardship meeting presentations.

Below you will find links to the presentations that were held at the recent LED […]

Regulatory Update: 17/2012

Issued: 16 May 2012 Change to Expiry Dates on Extension of Authorisation for Minor Use […]

Green Green Grass of May

 This program looks at lambs and calves outside at last, tomatoes being picked and busy […]

Salad Days launched to promote leafy salads

Click Here to find out more.

LED 4 Crops LED Facility Build Update 11/5/12

Excitement is in the air at STC this week, as the first of the LED […]

Farming Today: Growing plants under LEDs could lead to farming in underground bunkers and city high-rises.

Sarah Falkingham visits Stockbridge Technology Centre to see an indoor farm in action. Click Here […]

Achieving food security in the face of climate change. Final report from the Commission on Sustainable Agriculture and Climate Change

Click Here to view the report.

The Future of Food and Farming, A Government forsight report.

Click Here to view the report.

Philips Horti-news

Click Here to view the latest Philips Horti-news

Tatchell takes over from Bright at the NHF

New Executive Officer for National Horticultural Forum   Professor Mark Tatchell is to take over […]

May the Food be Tasty 8th May 2012

May the Food be Tasty  8th May 2012 Details of this program This program looks […]

Andrew Percy MP to make keynote address at Launch event and Press day for Discovering-our-Countryside seasonal videos.

The launch day is on June 15 th, 10.00 till 2.00 pm and the conference […]

Review of the Neonicotinoid recent exchanges with reference to bees.

Click Here to read the review.

Martin Riggall retires from BGA

Click Here to find out more.

Grower Talks features LED4CROPS

Click Here to find out more.

Mark Holdstock from the NFU’s British Farmer & Grower Magazine finds out more about Mr Graham Ward, Winner of the ‘Outstanding Contribution to the Industry’ award

Click Here to find out more.

HTA National Plant Show, 26-27 June 2012

HTA National Plant Show, 26-27 June 2012, Stoneleigh Park, Coventry.  A tradeshow for UK producers […]

IPPS Northern Area Meeting, 22 June 2012

IPPS Northern Area Meeting, 22 June 2012, Fera, Sand Hutton, York followed by a visit […]

Phytophthora programme update, 5 May 2012

Phytophthora programme update, 5 May 2012, University of Bristol.  Fera is organising an open meeting […]

HDC/BGA Brassica Technical Seminars, 3 July 2012

HDC/BGA Brassica Technical Seminars, 3 July 2012, Briars Hall Hotel, Lancashire. The HDC and the […]

SCEPTRE Vegetable Weed Control Open Day, 20 June 2012

SCEPTRE Vegetable Weed Control Open Day, 20 June 2012, Elsoms Seeds, Lincolnshire. Growers are invited […]

LED 4 Crops LED Facility Build Update 27/4/12

Earlier this week, the final few panels of the insulated outer shell were installed and […]

Defra appoint new Chief Scientist Prof Boyd

Click Here to find out more.

Flora Culture International article on LED’s

Click Here to find out more.

Countryfile Sunday 29th April: Tom Heap is on the opposite side of the country, finding out why we are still digging up one of our greatest natural defences against climate change, peat.

This week on Countryfile, Tom Heap is on the opposite side of the country, finding […]

Defra appoint new Chief Scientist Prof Boyd

Click Here to find out more.

April Showers – Lambs Wild Flowers Potatoes Program Now Available

Hello the next Discovering-Our-Countryside Program is now on-line…. Log In and Watch Now The latest […]

STC at Harrogate Flower Show

Harrogate Flower Show showcases the best of the horticultural sector. STC will be exhibiting insects […]

STC Man to lead national insect campaign

Dr LukeTilley has been appointed by the Royal Entomological Society to lead its popular National […]

Mr Benyon giving evidence to EFRA committee April 18 th

 Click Here to watch the video stream. The parts to watch are playing at 15.39.50 […]

Horticultural Careers information

Visit here to find out more.

LED 4 CROPS gets write up in USA Greenhouse Management magazine

Click Here to find out more.

Pesticide Residues in Food Open Event 16th May 2012

Click Here to find out more.

LED work with strawberries

Click Here to find out more.

Latest news/peat. The Task Force issues its interim report.

Alan Knight’s foreword is very interesting basically suggesting he has gone as far as he […]

Careers Guidance for schools

Click Here for more information.

Government launches its careers advice service

Click Here to find out more.

Seminar on the Physical Chemical Properties Of Plant Protection Products Thursday 5th July 2012

CRD will be holding a one-day seminar in York on 5 July 2012 providing an […]

British Leafy Salads Association Conference, 14 November 2012

British Leafy Salads Association Conference, 14 November 2012, Kings Gate Conference Centre, Peterborough, PE1 4YT.  […]

SCEPTRE Vegetable Weed Control Open Day, 20 June 2012

SCEPTRE Vegetable Weed Control Open Day, 20 June 2012, Elsoms Seeds, Lincolnshire. Growers are invited […]

HDC Bulbs and Outdoor Flowers Panel Meeting, 10 May 2012

HDC Bulbs and Outdoor Flowers Panel Meeting, 10 May 2012, Spalding Horticultural Training Group Buildings, Spalding, Lincolnshire. All […]

The HDC and National Cut Flower Centre Conference, 17 April 2012

The HDC and National Cut Flower Centre Conference, 17 April 2012, Springfields Events and Conference […]

Lincolnshire Daffodil Society Show, 14-15 April 2012

Lincolnshire Daffodil Society Show, 14-15 April 2012, Springfield Events and Conference Centre, Spalding, Lincolnshire.  For […]

Help with Summer Term Planning

We know many of you do outside and countryside topics during the summer term – […]

LED 4 CROPS How technology transfer is done in the USA.

Developing LED Lighting Technologies and Practices for Sustainable Specialty-Crop Production.

Growing Media Association Press Release on Nat .Planning Framework peat extraction restrictions

Click Here to read the press release.

Peat extraction limited to existing sites and planning consents in England

Extract from New Planning Policy Framework 143. In preparing Local Plans, local planning authorities should: […]

Pesticide regulation Defra consult on future status of ACP

Click Here to find out more.

EU review of basic environmental schemes (ELS in England) and how they benefit biodiversity

Click Here to read the review.

Defra publish their response on Habitats regulation as required by Treasury

Click Here to view the report.

National Gardening Week 16-22 April

Click Here to find out more !

Spring Marches On…

Latest program now ready to view just need to register with site for free to […]

Latest results for beans with pods, grapes, and milk (for samples collected in October 2011)

You can find the results here.

Defra Food Growing in Schools Task Force Report published

Click Here to view the report

Horticulture Week comment on LED 4 CROPS

Click Here to read HortWeeks Article

ACP Consultation

Consultation on the options for the future of the Advisory Committee on Pesticides   DEFRA […]

BBC Costing the Earth in peat

A BBC program on peat which quite rightly talks upland peat and the damage to […]

CRD update Bio pesticide registration issues

Click Here to find out more.

Harper Adams launch Centre for Precision Farming

Click Here for more information.

A Dutch quality mark for growing media

If you are a Consumer Click Here to find out more.   If you are […]

Peat usage in Europe a leaflet and report by EPAGMA

You can find the Report Here and the Leaflet Here

Defra announce RDPE revamped national grants following closure of Regional Dev Agencies .

Click Here to find out more.

Dutch PlantLab article on the green future with LED’s

Click Here to view the article

BREAKING NEWS – Press Release for LED 4 Crops

          Contracts exchanged for LED 4 CROPS facility at Stockbridge Technology Centre The LED 4 […]

Peat International Peat Congress Sweden June 2012 Real facts about peat plus a holiday for the partner

Click Here to find out more

Gardeners Growing Media Conference

Some 65 gardeners, many representing plant societies ,parks and allotment associations met at STC on […]

An interesting article on urban farms

Click here to view the article. Of particular interest is the section about growing daylength […]

27 February 2012 – #Calving321 Update Posted on 27 February 2012

 Update on our countdown to calving. I have been monitoring our cows over the past […]

Defra respond to the red tape report

Click Here to view their responce.

Signs of spring

Latest video now on-line. We apologise for site being off-line we have been moving to […]

Outstanding Contribution to the Industry Award

Graham was presented with the ‘Outstanding Contribution to the Industry Award’ at the Horticulture Week […]

Amateur gardeners confused over peat and its alternatives

Click Here to view the article from Hortweek about the recent STC Gardeners Conference. (you […]

Scientists reveal the best plants for bees

Click Here to read the article. To discover what STC is doing for bees please […]

The Co-operative update their corporate ethical targets and plan

Click Here to visit their website

Yorkshire Grower Dave Parkinson has been awarded the Westonbirt Medal by the RHS.

Yorkshire Grower Dave Parkinson has been awarded the Westonbirt Medal by the RHS for his […]

Greenhouse Gas Emissions /energy and biodiversity

Tuomisto H L, Hodge I D, Riordan P and Macdonald D W (2012). Comparing energy […]

Tesco Carbon Labelling

In  February 2012 we reported on Tesco’s announcement, as covered by the Guardian and others, […]

Great News – 2 of our followed cows have now calved

17 February 2012 Early this morning before Mr Rook arrived to feed and bed up, […]

Teacher Comment on ‘ Countdown to Calving’

We are in a rural location in Cornwall.  Our theme this term is farms.  Had […]

6 February – Spring is almost upon us.

New Spring – new Life This program looks at new life starting with the onset […]

23 January 1012 – Beyond the farm

What happens to products beyond the farm? This program looks Beyond the Farm in that […]

9 January 2012 – Computers in Agriculture

Computers are everywhere This program shows you how computers are now a very important tool […]

New Fungicide for Lettuce & Herbs from Syngenta

Downy mildew is becoming a more serious disease problem on many crops and control is […]

8th World Potato Congress, 27-30 May 2012, Edinburgh.

The three day event will examine the key challenges facing the crop and assess the […]

NFU Annual Conference 21-22 February

From the political challenges posed both within the UK and the European Union to the […]

National Chip Week – 20-26 February

National Chip Week, one of the Potato Council’s biggest annual awareness campaigns, starts on 20 […]

New technical lead at TGA

The British Tomato Growers Association has announced the appointment of Dr Philip Morley as the […]

Bees Butterflys and Blooms

The BBC has just released its latest Documentaryfocused on ways to halt the rapid decline […]

Peat Views from a Scottish Nurseryman . I wish Defra could balance their lobbyists and consider the science

Click Here to find out more.

Peat The major EU Compost manufacturer makes their view known in Horticulture Week . They have free access to the UK market for many years to come

Click Here to read the article

PEAT The way the Dept of Communities and Local Govt sees peat extraction . The Review report gives a very accurate assessment of where we are . The new Draft Planning Doc say no more planning for new or extension of present sites .

        Please find the reports below: Minerals Planning Guidance 13: Guidelines for […]

Pesticide Residues 2011 quarter 2 report

Click Here to view the report.

Philips Horti-news

Click Here to read Philips latest newsletter.

LED -4-Crops Some lateral thinking in the USA, around the urban farming concepts

Click Here for more information

The Defra Task Force publishes its Work Programme and timetable (notice subtle change of name from Sustainable Growing Media TF to Peat TF )

Click Here to view article

Sir Richard Butler, President of the NFU from 1979 to 1986, died at the weekend at the age of 83.

Sir Richard worked the family farm near Halstead in Essex. He became involved in the […]

Hedgerows provide corridors for foraging bumblebees

Researchers at the University of Northampton have published research on how bees use hedgerows to search for […]

What gardener’s grow at home

Click Here to view the pdf.

Family Food Not good reading for Fruit and Veg consumption

Click Here to find out more !

Its Great to be in Yorkshire !

Another 3 facts to help you promote this glorious county! 1.     Steven Spielberg’s epic new […]

Lighting Studies back LED use.

Recent studies by the University of Warwick have shown that LEDs are likely to be […]

LED in Alaska: Upcoming Webinar on Alaska’s Green Winter Farm

Upcoming Webinar on Alaska’s Green Winter Farm Mark your calendars (or inform your smartphones) that […]

Peat Behavioural Change Work by Rowntree Trust This is the psychology to be used on growers and gardeners to persuade the retailers that peat should be removed from them . It illustrates how much effort will be required to persuade gardeners not to buy reliable peat containing composts from Europe or buy plants grown in Europe with better survival rates . The fairness and balance of the sustainability argument is discussed

Click Here to read the summary.   Click Here to view the whole document.

Peat Evidence given to the EFRA Committee on the White Paper

Click Here to view the article.

LED The Philips Horti-news letter for IPM Essen

Click Here to find out more.

HDC Research strategy . The HDC report of collaboration as a way forward for applied researchers

Click Here to view the article.

Peat Report on Interview with Prof Jack Reilly in HW A review based on facts not emotive opinions

Click Here to view the article

LED 4 Crops – Two Journal abstracts showing the potential benefits of growing with LED lights.

Click here to read abstracts from the following Journals: 1.Lettuce  Nitrate and Vitamin C affected […]

CRD training days 2012

Consumer Risk Assessment Training Day – Thursday 1st March 2012 CRD will be holding a […]

Parliamentary Answer

Procurement rules for Defra and Government . How does this square with telling Government departments […]

Greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture

Royal Society concludes damage from reducing levels by de-intensification of food production is irresponsible and […]

Growers and researchers look at LED in Holland

Click here to read more: [download id=”9096″]

Article in Yorkshire Post discusses gardeners problems.

Read it here

Consultation on the HDC Divisional Plan 2012-2015 ends January 17th

These plans show a major reorientation of the way the Horticultural Development Company will act, […]

Careers advice changes to delivery in 2012

For more information click here

New National Careers Service to replace Connexions

For more information click here

Report on the impact of cuts on career guidance

Careers advice from local authorities hugely reduced.  Now very much the responsibility of schools. To […]

Work Experience

The Department for Education has published ( 16 December 2011)  a new myth buster to […]

Education – maximising participation of 16-24 year olds

Click here to view the Government report “Building Engagement, Building Futures“. The strategy to maximise […]

Congratulations to Graham Ward, our CEO

Graham Ward OBE has been awarded an Associateship by the Royal Agricultural Societies  (ARAgS). The […]

Defra launch new website on Growing Media except its called peat and deals solely with elimination of peat from horticulture.

Click Here to visit their new website.

Yorkshire Post covers the peat /habitat directive Defra denial

Below you will find two articles on the subject: Click Here to view article 1 […]

News Nitrates The new Nitrates levels come into force Friday 23 th Dec except for rocket due 1 st April 2012

Click Here to find out more

Peat Minutes of the Sustainable Growing Media Task Force 10 th October 2011

Click Here for more information.

Defra launch Water White paper More about keeping taps running and environment damage doing that ,than food production

Click here to view article.

Peat and a VERY acid debate: Top gardener’s comments rake up a rumpus in the world of horticulture

This week, Bob Flowerdew shocked other gardeners by advocating the use of peat — even […]

Six months of the B-Lines initiative

Six months into the Buglife B-Lines Initiative and the  pilot Bee-Roads project in Yorkshire is […]

Environment Social Attitudes Shows greater scepticism and lower wish to contribute . Perhaps RT Hon George Osborne’s political advisor knew something other’s did not !

Click Here for more information

Welcome to Yorkshire – Clipper Yacht – New Zealand

The latest photo of Welcome to Yorkshire  Clipper Round the World Yacht in New Zealand […]

PEAT fact for today

The Carbon Dioxide emitted from all the peat extracted from UK bogs  for horticulture is […]

PEAT a review of UK peatlands.

I wonder why the Government responsible for trees and CAP overgrazing, foresters and farmers are […]

PEAT Illustrative Economics of Peatland Restoration This report summary discusses restoration of peatlands

An interesting comparison. The difference in CO2 emissions between a degraded bog site and a […]

Food Safety A consultation on what research the European Food Safety Agency will do over next 5 years.

Click Here for more information.

British Potato Council Corporate plan 2012/2015

Click here to find out more.

Biodiversity Defra Task Force selling Eco- services

Click here to view the article.

Wild Bird population monitoring 1970 -2010

    Click here to view the article.

Merry Christmas from Discovering Our Countryside

Merry Christmas from Discovering Our Countryside Why not make a traditional Christmas Wreath or table […]

Lord Taylor speaks on Applied Research

Click Here for more information

Climate Change Week

Climate Change Week is scheduled for the 12-18 March 2012, to find out more information […]

Discovering our Countryside. Research on how 7-15 year olds consider food ,farming and the countryside.

Click Here to view the document.

Discovering our Countryside

We have just put our fifth DVD for the autumn term on our website link  […]

Food Security Interesting list of world pests/diseases which could threaten production

Click Here for more Info.

STC entomology project featured on Natural Environment Research Council website and database

Dr Luke Tilley’s work on shore flies in protected crops is featured on the NERC […]

PEAT letter in Horticulture Week re the political amnesia on regulation

Please click here to read article

The Pesticide Residues Committee’s Annual Report for 2010

The Pesticide Residues Committee’s Annual Report for 2010 has now been released and can be […]

Horticultural Society members worried over peat move

Click here to view the whole article.   ( A subscription to HorticultureWeek is required […]

Growers call for clarifications on peat issues

Click here to view the whole article.   ( A subscription to HorticultureWeek is required […]

Monitoring the horticultural use of peat and progress towards the UK Biodiversity Action Plan target

Click Here to view Defra’s report on who uses what as growing media and where […]

Defra action plan to minimise risks of imported diseases affecting trees and forests.

This sits alongside a peat strategy which will increase tree imports and therefore the risks. A […]

Pesticide Residues Latest results

The latest Pesticide Residue results are now online. Click here to view them.

Autumn Term Videos – Some comments from schools

Below you will find comments taken from the Discovering Our Countryside website that are regarding […]

Peat bogs: Farming Today visits a peat bog under restoration after damage by the Forestry Commission planting trees and draining.

There is remarkable quick recovery reported. Relevant part starts nine minutes in. Click here to listen […]

Peat – An extract from the Chancellor of the Exchequer speech

An extract from the Chancellor of the Exchequer speech at the Conservative Party Conference. Wonder […]

Presentations from the Peat Conference held 4th October at STC

[download id=”9074″] [download id=”9078″] [download id=”9082″] [download id=”9066″] [download id=”9068″] [download id=”9070″] [download id=”9072″] [download […]

Seabrook tackles Peat Issues

Read Peter Seabrook’s article from The Sun (Oct 1st 2011) [download id=”9064″]

Invasive species

  A poster from HTA sponsored by Defra, Fera and National Trust Click here for […]

Latest News Peat/Biodiversity

Launched in parallel with the White Paper and the Biodiversity 2020 Strategy . Very difficult […]

Stakeholders meeting to discuss new regulations

[download id=”9060″] [download id=”9062″] Nitrates  

The HTA and the Growing Media Initiative

GMI  have launched a scheme for garden sundries retailers to manage Defra  peat reduction calendar […]

Defra Ministers Lord Taylor now the Defra Minister in the Lords

http://www.defra.gov.uk/news/2011/09/16/lord-taylor/

Discovering our Countryside New Brochure outlining the pilot project launched

[download id=”9048″]

BBC’s You and Yours dedate on Chat Moss

Peat http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b01460dq#p00k9cxp  

The first Autumn video on harvesting now available

We cover harvesting arable and vegetable crops , harvesting grass by sheep and cows  and […]

A very interesting paper by David Bellamy 1996 ICI Science publication Discovery

Read it to understand the issues [download id=”9040″]

Defra launch their wildlife and biodiversity strategy as part of the Natural Choice White Paper

http://www.defra.gov.uk/publications/files/pb13583-biodiversity-strategy-2020-110817.pdf

International Peat Society and STC announce a conference for growers and gardeners on October 4th

For more information click here to download the agenda [download id=”9034″]

Major Breakthrough On How Viruses Infect Plants

CSIRO plant scientists have shed light on a problem that has puzzled researchers since the […]

Science policy Defra appoint advisors to their Chief Scientist to aid their policy making

http://www.defra.gov.uk/news/2011/08/18/science-advisory-council-appointments/

Biodiversity enhancement

Practical guide covering birds and insects  for arable farmers by HCA [download id=”9028″]

Biocontrol, papers from the Annual Biocontrol International Conference last autumn

http://www.abim.ch/abim-2010.html

Report on research by Cranfield and IGD for WRAP on where fruit and vegetable waste occurs in the food chain. Recommendations for action

http://www.wrap.org.uk/downloads/Resource_Map_Fruit_and_Veg_final_6_june_2011.b36a4db3.10854.pdf

Agriculture research begins to feel the horticultural experience We are now nil, so a long way to go!!

http://www.farming.co.uk/articles/view/4702

The Government enabling ideas for Green Economy …

https://online.businesslink.gov.uk/Horizontal_Services_files/Enabling_the_transition_to_a_Green_Economy__Main_D.pdf

Defra Annual accounts and Report

Research and Development In 2010–11 Core–Defra invested around £210m on evidence, of which approximately £105m […]

Planning consultation which has a severe restriction on peat extraction . Minerals para 103

http://www.communities.gov.uk/documents/planningandbuilding/pdf/1951811.pdf

The Defra Expert Commitee on Pesticide Residues in Food has replaced the Pesticide Residues Commitee

The Defra Expert Commitee on Pesticide Residues in Food has replaced the Pesticide Residues Commitee. […]

Pollinators and agriculture

The rural information network, RuSource has provided a briefing taken from the European Crop Protection […]

Majestic Trees terminates contract with supplier because of stance on peat ban

Majestic Trees take action as a response to a substrate supplier who supported regulation to […]

International Peat Society publish a Strategy for Responsible Peatland Management

A paper prepared after considerable consultation and international meetings of experts, academics and a range […]

STC launches Discovering Our Countryside

Agriculture 4 U and STC have formed a partnership to develop a regular video diary […]

Defra response to the Regulation Task Force

The independent Task Force on Farm Regulation published its report on 17 May. The report […]

The EU view of public goods and rural development including agriculture

You can compare and contrast with the recent Defra stuff in the Natural Choice  White […]

The Skills Associations launch a Defra supported skills initiative across all sectors of the Food Chain (including production) called Feed Your Ambition

http://www.lantra.co.uk/getattachment/dc351cf3-e06c-4628-b84c-c78f8462d5f8/Final-Skills-Action-Plan-Summary.pdf.aspx

Defra publish Waste Action Plan

http://www.defra.gov.uk/publications/files/pb13542-action-plan-.pdf

Potential and Agreed Changes to Maximum Residue Levels (MRLs)

http://www.pesticides.gov.uk/food_safety.asp?id=546

New UK Enforcement and Fees and Charges Regulations

New Enforcement and Fees and Charges Regulations are due to come into operation shortly as […]

Peat Defra issue a Impact Assessment for Reducing Peat in Horticulture

http://www.archive.defra.gov.uk/environment/natural/documents/newp-ia-peat-110607.pdf

Defra publish the White Paper on Securing the value of Nature or The Natural Choice

It continues to single out peat as an individual sector regulation where all rest is […]

NFU call to consumers to support British Produce

nfu[download id=”9008″]

Ecosystem Services Economic Assessment

http://archive.defra.gov.uk/environment/natural/documents/UKNEA_SynthesisReport.pdf

Another Yorkshire win at Chelsea

Welcome to Yorkshire has made Chelsea Flower Show history by becoming the first exhibitor to […]

Download our 10 Year Anniversary Leaflet

[download id=”9006″]

Well done Penny and the growers who supplied the produce

http://www.nfuonline.com/News/Chelsea–It-s-gold-number-15/

Treated seed availability ,on the soil surface, to birds and other wildlife after planting arable crops

http://www.pesticides.gov.uk/approvals.asp?id=3036

Government responds to the Wolf report on vocational education

http://media.education.gov.uk/assets/files/pdf/w/wolf%20review%20of%20vocational%20education%20%20%20government%20response.pdf

How the UK Government sees the EU spending its research funds

http://www.bis.gov.uk/assets/biscore/science/docs/f/11-901-funding-eu-research-innovation-from-2014

The Regulation Task Force reports but one awaits Defra response

http://www.defra.gov.uk/publications/files/pb13528-farm-reg-task-summary1.pdf

Free school fruit and veg for 4-6 year olds has funding extended till March 2012

http://www.nhs.uk/Livewell/5ADAY/Pages/Schoolscheme.aspx

STC Next Open Day Sunday 12 June 2011 12-4pm

On Sunday 12 June we will be holding the first of this years Open Days. […]

The Sugar Beet Industry looks at Sustainability

Interesting analysis which could be copied by other cropping sectors [download id=”9000″]

Downy Mildew found on Impatiens

This note is to advise you that downy mildew has been found on Impatiens at […]

different academic view of Food Security if you change cropping Australian research

It has implications for much rural policy including CAP    Worth reading to get  one away  […]

Attitudes to buying sustainable food purchasing particularly related to Food 2030 and influencing consumer behaviors . In depth study using consumer data collection

http://www.defra.gov.uk/statistics/files/defra-stats-foodfarm-food-attitudes-report-110406-mainreport.pdf

The EFRA Select Committee publish their recommendations to UK Government on CAP reform

http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201011/cmselect/cmenvfru/671/67102.htm http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201011/cmselect/cmenvfru/671/67103.htm

A scientific study of nitrogen in Europe in all sectors and its relation to the environment

A marathon report  It might be best to try the Policy Summary http://www.nine-esf.org/sites/nine-esf.org/files/ena_doc/ENA_pdfs/ENA_policy summary.pdf

Prof Gregory appointed as CEO of East Malling Research

http://www.farminguk.com/news/New-Chief-Executive-strengthens-research-ties_20274.html

The facts and figures on measuring biodiversity

Really quite disappointing progress  considering the level of expenditure and the cross compliance measures  .  […]

The farming industry publishes its Delivery Plan for greenhouse gas reduction

Minister James Paice said ” Our farmers are making an important commitment to reduce their […]

European Commission Brief on the thoughts contributing to Rural Development Policy which relate particularly to CAP Pillar 2

http://ec.europa.eu/agriculture/publi/app-briefs/04_en.pdf

The Sustainable Dev Commission publishes its final report

http://www.sd-commission.org.uk/publications/downloads/FoodPolicy10_Report_final_w.pdf

Environment Agency takes over Defra climate change adaptation delivery and absorbs UKCIP and others in process

http://ww2.defra.gov.uk/news/2011/03/22/ea-climate-change-adaptation/

HDC response to the Defra consultation on reducing the horticultural use of peat in England

http://www.hdc.org.uk/industry-reports/files/Defra%20peat%20consultation%20final%20response%202%20March%202011%20HDC%20version.pdf

HTA response to Defra consultation on peat reduction

http://www.the-hta.org.uk/

NFU response to the Defra Peat consultation

[download id=”8986″]

CAP- the Presidency (Council of Ministers) views on the reform proposals

This site now has the  Commission proposals and the Parliament and Council  responses   The UK […]

GREAT NEWS Defra reinstate HLS funding for school visits

Thank you Ministers for this,  It gives us all hope that there is a partnership. […]

Defra and BIS Monthly report on performance on structural plans

http://www.number10.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/defra-feb11-srp-update.pdf http://www.number10.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/bis-feb11-srp-update.pdf

Mrs Spelman tells us how to save money and benefit the environment

British businesses can save around £23 billion a year by improving the way they use […]

Government Carbon Plan for climate change Consultation

http://www.decc.gov.uk/assets/decc/What we do/A low carbon UK/1358-the-carbon-plan.pdf

Mitigating Greenhouse Gas emissions from Agriculture Feasibility study

http://randd.defra.gov.uk/Document.aspx?Document=AC0222_9992_FRA.pdf

Horticultural Week adds to the schools access debate

GPW  Comment on Defra response Why should the 225 farmers in CSS ,who were the […]

The Renewable Heat incentive for biomass and other alternative heat technologies is announced

http://www.decc.gov.uk/en/content/cms/what_we_do/uk_supply/energy_mix/renewable/policy/incentive/incentive.aspx

Pesticide residues in food

http://www.pesticides.gov.uk/prc.asp?id=2937

New Chair for the Voluntary Initiative required

[download id=”8984″]

Some high level thinking on behavioral change

It applies to many fields where we want to achieve change. Particularly relevant to eating […]

PGRO Crop Bulletin 1

[download id=”8982″]

Yorkshire Post Countryside Article on Educational Access

Comment from GPW     The Defra Comment that “the savings made will protect other biodiversity and […]

The Wolf report on vocational education

This has a major impact on how we attract young people into our industry Graham […]

European Parliament response to the Commission CAP documents

http://www.europarl.europa.eu/meetdocs/2009_2014/documents/agri/pr/857/857600/857600en.pdf

The Food Ethics Council take on Foresight

http://www.foodethicscouncil.org/system/files/businessforum110126.pdf

Review of existing EU Maximum Residue Levels (MRLs) under Article 12 of Regulation 396/2005/EC

This Regulatory Update advises approval holders on progress with the European Commission’s review of existing […]

Opinion piece by Graham Ward on the withdrawal of the Educational Access payment

DISASTROUS AND COMPLETLEY ILLOGICAL WITHDRAWAL OF FUNDS FOR SCHOOL VISITS TO GROWERS AND FARMERS OPINION […]

Skills and Careers in food and drink 23 March 2011

[download id=”8980″]

Prof Tim Lang Thoughts on Food Sustainability at London SDC Summit

[download id=”8978″]

Defra and Govt view of sustainable Development

http://sd.defra.gov.uk/documents/mainstreaming-sustainable-development.pdf

Pesticides Amnesty

A Home Office scheme that allows for the disposal of pesticides or biocides for a […]

Requirements for Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) for co-formulants in pesticide products

CRD is routinely having to request revised Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) for co-formulants because […]

Pesticide Residues Committee (PRC) Reports 2010

http://www.pesticides.gov.uk/prc.asp?id=2937

Rolling Reporting: Latest Results

http://www.pesticides.gov.uk/prc.asp?id=2870

Clopyralid – Label amendments for amateur products

This Update summarises the outcome of considerations of clopyralid following a review into the risk […]

FSA consult on the new suggested nitrate levels in lettuce/spinach and rocket

Note rocket added for first time  and that derogations  for lettuce and spinach are removed  […]

Foresight explained Prof Ian Crutes Speech on the Foresight Report at the NFU conference

[download id=”8976″]

Views on apprentices wanted

Your views on apprenticeships wanted With National Apprenticeship week running from 7th – 11th February […]

Minister Paice getting edgy over Campaign for Farmed Environment

http://ww2.defra.gov.uk/news/2011/02/09/farmers-letter/

Making green claims about your produce A Defra Guide

http://ww2.defra.gov.uk/environment/economy/green-claims-labels/

WOODFUEL HEAT EVENT, Glasshouses & Nurseries – 01.03.11 Stockbridge Technology Centre, Cawood

[download id=”8974″]

The UK Government response to the CAP consultation

http://www.defra.gov.uk/foodfarm/policy/capreform/documents/110128-uk-cap-response.pdf

Livewell report for WWF by Rowett institute

Looks at UK dietary changes to achieve a reduction of Greenhouse Gas emissions  of 28% […]

HSE Pesticide Incidents report 2009/2010

http://www.hse.gov.uk/fod/pir0910.pdf

Farmland bird species continue to decline Woodland birds stable

Is this counting wrong species or are the broad and shallow environmental schemes ELS and […]

NFU comment on Foresight report

[download id=”8972″]

Crop Protection in Southern Britain 23 – 24 February 2011

organised by AAB with support from BCPC 23 – 24 February 2011  Impington, Cambridge, UK […]

BIS reaction to Foresight Report BIS is host Govt Dept for Foresight of course

http://nds.coi.gov.uk/content/

Defra/DECC response to Foresight response

http://ww2.defra.gov.uk/news/2011/01/24/food-shortages/

FCRN Tara Garnett review if the Foresight report

[download id=”8970″]

Graham doing his bit on Radio York for STC and what we do in a Sunday prog about food

http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/p00dbj2l/Jonathan_Cowap_30_01_2011/ Graham’s interview is about 45 mins into the programme

Advertising plant protection products

CRD’s advice relating to the advertising of plant protection products has remained largely unaltered since […]

The Foresight Report Summary

Food and Farming  Challenges and Choices globally  See Foresight website for full document http://www.bis.gov.uk/assets/bispartners/foresight/docs/food-and-farming/11-547-future-of-food-and-farming-summary

BPOA AGM and Technical Seminar, 15-16 February 2011

The title of the technical seminar on the second day is ‘Life Without Pesticides’ and […]

AAB Conference: Innovative ideas in pest and weed control in field vegetables, 13 April 2011

at Rothamsted Research, Harpenden. For more information contact Rebecca Morgan at rebecca@aab.org.uk.

Study shows Environmental Stewardship and the CFE are working for farmland birds

A scientific survey of environmental schemes on farmland indicates that measures to help birds in […]

Royal Society 28 th Feb and 1 st March Reducing Greenhouse gas emissions from Agriculture

http://royalsociety.org/events/reducing-greenhouse-gas

Food Security conference 8th & 9th February 2011

http://www.brass.cf.ac.uk/events/Researching_Food_Sustainability_Programme.pdf

Food Security and Science Can new technology solve the issues ? Professor Peter Lillford

http://www.psi.org.uk/events/event.asp?event_id=162

COPA-COGECA HIGHLIGHTS MAJOR ROLE OF COOPERATIVES AS DRIVING FORCE FOR COMPETITIVE EU AGRI-FOOD SECTOR

http://www.copa-cogeca.eu/Download.ashx?ID=725970&fmt=pdf

Oral Evidence to EFRA subcommittee by CLA and NFU

http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201011/cmselect/cmenvfru/uc671-ii/uc67101.htm

A French intellectual view of feeding the world on 2050

One scenario intensification  with no environ consideration as opposed to a scenario with ecosystem balances […]

Geographical perspectives on food, water and energy security to 2030 17 February 2011

http://www.rgs.org/NR/rdonlyres/9C8EA3DE-2B2C-4733-8ED9-EF529B82F552/0/110107PerfectStormOutlineOnline.pdf

Helping the hungry in February

http://www.schoolfoodtrust.org.uk/schools/projects/really-good-school-dinner

America sets nutritional standards for school children

One hopes this might  keep the coalition thoughts more on need to set standards by […]

Update on a recent R&D project to investigate de-husking of seeds by small mammals: Implications for regulatory risk assessment

During evaluation of seed treatment applications, CRD ecotoxicologists frequently need to refine the risk assessment […]

House of Commons debate on GM and Food Security

Interesting comments by Mr Paice on R&D and R&D in relation to CAP funding http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201011/cmhansrd/cm110112/halltext/110112h0001.htm#11011257000433

Oral evidence by RSPB and TFA given to EFRA Committee looking at CAP reform

http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201011/cmselect/cmenvfru/uc671-i/uc67101.htm

The Written evidence from interested organizations and lobby groups to the EFRA Select Committee Impact of CAP reform

http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201011/cmselect/cmenvfru/writev/671/671.pdf

Two interesting Horticultural papers given to Oxford Farming conferences

One from an established group and one from highly investing new entrants http://www.ofc.org.uk/images/stories/File/Mack%20Chris.pdf http://www.ofc.org.uk/images/stories/File/Shropshire%20John%20OBE%20final.pdf

The Value and Viability of UK Farming as seen by a survey of the industry looking at itself Oxford Farming Conference

http://www.ofc.org.uk/images/stories/File/OFC%20Research%202011%20ppt.pdf The full report can be read at this link http://www.ofc.org.uk/images/stories/File/Full%20Findings%20of%20the%202011%20OFC%20Research.pdf

Defra Secretary of State latest thoughts on CAP

http://ww2.defra.gov.uk/news/2011/01/05/spelman-speech/

Congratulations To Mr Michael Langdale

Congratulations to Mr Michael Langdale STC’s Operation Director for receiving his BASIS Diploma in Agronomy […]

Defra Healthy Bee Plan

http://www.defra.gov.uk/foodfarm/growing/bees/news/plan.pdf

Great Swapathon voucher books

£50 voucher books will be available in the News of the World on Sunday 9 […]

Private companies take over finance for Change 4 Life campaign

Make yourself healthy by buying £50 more !!! http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/MediaCentre/Pressreleases/DH_123214 https://swapathon.co.uk/

Draft EPPO Guidance for Comparative Assessment: Request for Comments

http://www.pesticides.gov.uk/approvals.asp?id=2951

Defra cuts including five year plan for “arms length bodies” including Natural England

http://ww2.defra.gov.uk/corporate/about/reports/ http://www.defra.gov.uk/corporate/about/what/documents/defra-alb-allocations-101220.pdf

Europe ponders the biofuel crops versus land use priorities (food –environment)

http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/10/1772

A healthy diet including F&V a day really does you good

http://jech.bmj.com/content/early/2010/11/02/jech.2010.114520?q=w_jech_ahead_tab

Rickard on effects of less crop protection No access to full paper

http://www.cropprotection.org.uk/content/MoreInfo.asp?mid=233

Georgina responds to Rickard

http://www.farmersguardian.com/home/world-news/international-experts-debate-food-security/36024.article

The first keynote statement by the new Govt on Food Security Rather different from Food 2030 Comments on CAP reform

http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/files/17984_061210spelman.pdf

EU consultation on Environmental spend 2014-2020

http://ec.europa.eu/environment/consultations/life.htm

They are also consulting on their protected areas and how to finance these

http://ec.europa.eu/environment/consultations/natura2000_en.htm

The Government decides on Peat usage It policy is out for your consultation by March 2011

http://www.defra.gov.uk/corporate/consult/peat/101217-peat-condoc.pdf

NFU reaction to the Defra Peat Policy

http://www.nfuonline.com/News/NFU-calls-for-fair-deal-on-peat-policy/

HTA reaction to Defra Peat policy

http://www.the-hta.org.uk/page.php?pageid=492

Natural England report of Environmental schemes

Review of results and effectiveness  A very comprehensive data set written by the deliverers !! […]

The Food and Drink Federation publish a report on their progress to date on how their members have responded to their corporate Environmental ambitions

The Food and Drink Federation  (includes all big food manufactures )  publish a report on […]

The Cancun conference

wonder how much CO2  this produced    Perhaps we could lay off the cows digestion  and […]

Parliament Debate Outdoor Education basically farm visits

The question of  Natural England withdrawing HLS  funding for access visits raised (Mr Mark Spencer […]

Consultation on the Implementation of EU Pesticides Legislation

http://www.pesticides.gov.uk/approvals.asp?id=2961

6th International Diamondback Moth Workshop 21 to 25 March 2011 in Kamphaeng Saen

http://twvc.omnicms.com/twvc/2010/collection.cgi http://www.avrdc.org/index.php?id=711&no_cache=1&sword_list[]=moth

COPA-COGECA WELCOMES DECISIONS FROM CANCUN THOUGH URGES MORE PROGRESS TO BE MADE IN 2011

Copa-Cogeca welcomed today results from the UN Climate Change Conference in Cancun which came up […]

EU FARM LEADERS URGE AGRICULTRUE MINISTERS NOT TO MAKE FARMERS AND COOPERATIVES UNCOMPETITIVE

In a meeting with the Belgian Presidency on EU Commission plans on the future Common […]

BPOA AGM and Technical Seminar, 15-16 February 2011

The title of the technical seminar on the second day is ‘Life without pesticides’ and […]

Supporting research for this chapter Effects of changes to land use and greenhouse gases by changes in food consumption Based around Cranfield University researchers

The conclusion This study has clearly shown that UK land can support consumption change that […]

COPA-COGECA REACTS TO EU COMMISSION PROPOSALS ON FUTURE EU QUALITY POLICY

10.12.10 PRESS RELEASE COPA-COGECA REACTS TO EU COMMISSION PROPOSALS ON FUTURE EU QUALITY POLICY Copa-Cogeca […]

COPA-COGECA RELEASES FINAL EU-27 CEREAL FIGURES FOR 2010/11 AND HIGHLIGHTS NEED TO INCREASE PRODUCTIVITY VIA STRONG CAP

10.12.10 PRESS RELEASE COPA-COGECA RELEASES FINAL EU-27 CEREAL FIGURES FOR 2010/11 AND HIGHLIGHTS NEED TO […]

Another chance to dispose of out of date pesticides

http://www.projectsoe.org/

Determining the Usage and Usage Patterns of Amenity Pesticides across the UK’ – a survey in support of the UK National Pesticides Strategy

http://www.pesticides.gov.uk/environment.asp?id=2958

consultation on the CAP post 2013 proposals Close 25 th January

http://ec.europa.eu/agriculture/cap-post-2013/consultation/index_en.htm

WRAP report on clopyralid and aminopyralid in composts

http://www.wrap.org.uk/downloads/Clopyralid_report_FINAL1.7d35ffa5.9967.pdf

Happy Christmas from STC

This year we will not be send individual cards, instead we will be making a […]

Climate Change Committee recommendations for 2023=2027 targets Agriculture is chapter 7

http://downloads.theccc.org.uk.s3.amazonaws.com/4th%20Budget/4th-Budget_Chapter7.pdf

Bees how many bees are there defra thinks this

James Paice (Minister of State (Agriculture and Food), Environment, Food and Rural Affairs; South East […]

Bristol University Scientists identify a possible route for GM gene leakage to the environment

ttp://www.bris.ac.uk/news/2010/7279.html

The SCRI /Macaulay merger is named the John Hutton Institute

http://www.scotlandfoodanddrink.org/news/article-info/1179/the-james-hutton-institute-unveiled.aspx

FSA Food Law Guide

A techy reference source for law affecting food ://www.food.gov.uk/multimedia/pdfs/enforcement/foodlawguide.pdf

All-Party Parliamentary Group paper by Prof Leaver on R&D

All-Party Parliamentary Group paper by Prof Leaver on R&D being essential to deliver Sustainable UK […]

Charmay Ball appointed chair of HTA Bedding Plant Group

http://www.the-hta.org.uk/page.php?pageid=512

The AHDB publishes it corporate plan 2010-2013 It includes one for HDC as part of the whole

http://www.ahdb.org.uk/publications/documents/AHDBCorpPlanMarch2010FINAL.pdf

Bangor University work by Prof Gareth Edwards –Jones goes commercial

http://www.footprints4food.co.uk/

Defra”s big tree plant A Big Society delivery

http://thebigtreeplant.direct.gov.uk/index.html http://thebigtreeplant.direct.gov.uk/funding.html

COPA-COGECA OPPOSES EU PROPOSALS TO CUT EU AGRICULTURE SPENDING IN 2011 AND URGES EU POLITICIANS TO REVISE DECISION

PRESS RELEASE 03.11.10 COPA-COGECA OPPOSES EU PROPOSALS TO CUT EU AGRICULTURE SPENDING IN 2011 AND […]

Climate Change Committee updates advice to Government on doing Risk assessment for CC

http://hmccc.s3.amazonaws.com/ASC/ASC%20-%20Final%20Method%20Advice_Technical%20Note%20NOV11.pdf

Govt new strategy for Health People

It delegates wellbeing and healthy lifestyle stuff to Local Authorities but does ring fence money  […]

The Greenhouse Gas Footprint of Government 1990 –2008

Lots of slight of hand stuff  if one is spinning   but good factual report which […]

EU FARM LEADERS URGE MINISTERS TO MAINTAIN STRONG FIRST PILLAR UNDER FUTURE CAP

IN MEETING WITH BELGIAN PRESIDENCY, EU FARM LEADERS URGE MINISTERS TO MAINTAIN STRONG FIRST PILLAR […]

Researchers views on CAP including an analysis of the developing history over time RELU programme

http://www.relu.ac.uk/news/briefings/BRIF%2012%20CAP/12674%20RELU%20CAP%20Briefing%20Paper.pdf

The National Trust view of land management

The National Trust view of land management based on their property portfolio but expanded to […]

A Land Agent/Rural Property Management Advisor’s view of the CAP reform

The Land income and value take on the subject http://www.smithsgore.co.uk/assets/x/1505665

Consideration of study protocols by CRD

CRD is often asked to comment on draft study protocols in order to confirm that […]

Govt strategy and support for skills building post school and in employment

http://www.bis.gov.uk/news/topstories/2010/Nov/Skills-for-sustainable-growth

Unilever launch Sustainable corporate aims

They use six headings    Health ,Livelihoods , Water ,Carbon imprint ,Waste and Sustainable Sourcing    . […]

Research for LEAF on the benefits of membership

STC is a member of the LEAF Farm Demonstration network and a LEAF Innovation Centre   […]

The Mark Price CEO of Waitrose speech to the LEAF conference

STC attended and you can see Julian in the pictures  The points being made will […]

Research for Defra on how Assurance schemes link to their environmental policy objectives

http://www.leafuk.org/resources/000/562/790/kathyreport02_IJAS2010-495.pdf

RSPB response to CAP proposals

They identify that the paper suggests that the higher level environment schemes could be part […]

CLA response to CAP proposals

http://www.cla.org.uk/News_and_Press/Latest_Releases/Common_Agricultural_Policy/CAP_Reform/1004960.htm/

NFU response to CAP proposals

http://www.nfuonline.com/News/CAP-latest—right-diagnosis,-wrong-prescriptions/

Environmental Fate & Behaviour Workshop, Tuesday 18th January, 2011

The course will be specifically designed for those involved with general pesticide registration but with […]

EU commission Communication on CAP post 2013

http://ec.europa.eu/agriculture/cap-post-2013/communication/index_en.htm

EU CAP press release

http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/10/1527&format=PDF&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en

EU FARM LEADERS WARN COMMISSION PLANS ON FUTURE CAP FAIL TO RESPOND TO CHALLENGES FACED BY EU FARMERS AND COOPERATIVES

EU Farm Leaders today welcomed the EU Commission’s aim to have a strong Common Agricultural […]

Travel Scholarships for young Lancashire Horticulturalists

[download id=”8966″]

STC facilities are being used to help breed new Artemisia annua plants

STC facilities are being used to help breed new Artemisia annua plants for malaria control. […]

The top 100 questions for agriculture for food security

The top 100 questions for agriculture  for food security for 9 billion people taking into […]

Beetroot Juice (Nitrate) good for the brain

Only if you are old!!! http://media.news.wfu.edu/tips/beet-juice-benefits-brain/

This is the BIS business plan

http://www.bis.gov.uk/news/topstories/2010/Nov/bis-business-plan

This is the Defra business plan

http://ww2.defra.gov.uk/corporate/about/what/business-planning/

Re-registration Requirements Following Further Annex I Inclusion Decisions: November 2010

http://www.pesticides.gov.uk/approvals.asp?id=2948

What the retailers generic research base ,IGD , thinks about embedded water issues

http://www.igd.com/index.asp?id=1&fid=1&sid=5&tid=157&foid=85&cid=1374

EFRA select committee launches inquiry into CAP post 2013

http://www.parliament.uk/business/committees

Congratulations to the Welcome to Yorkshire team

STC is a Yorkshire Patron. Climate Change will make Yorkshire the Garden of England !!! […]

PepsiCo introduce i-crop

A sustainable water protocol for managing embedded water in their products. It pays particular attention […]

Unilever and Pepsico publish a carbon calculator

Very significant if you are in supply chain to these multinational food companies http://www.growingforthefuture.com/content/Cool+Farm+Tool

IGD publish water usage guide for industry

IGD publish water usage guide for industry but with impact on growers involved in the […]

Government commitment to support research

This is the new BIS /BBSRC and TSB routes  not Defra or the discontinued RDA”s […]

Horticulture in East Midlands

A review of its position as seen by growers http://www.nfuonline.com/Regions/East-Midlands/News/Grow-EM-final-report

Deliciously Yorkshire Fresh Produce Award

The Deliciously Yorkshire Fresh Produce Award was presented last night to Cedarbarn Farm Shop and […]

World Food Security

This is a Food and Agriculture Organisation review of the world larder rather then just […]

Royal Agric Soc publishes a report on water for agriculture in UK

Written by Reading University for them. It mentions Horticulture because we use 60% plus http://www.rase.org.uk/pdfs/Water_Report-Final.pdf

EU conference ,hosted by Belgians, on ideas for F&V regime after 2013

The last paper is from the Commission and gives some idea from whence they come. […]

Defra Structures and who does what

http://download.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/structure/Defra-Organisation-Chart.pdf For the inquisitive the second Cabinet site gives salaries and stuff  also does other […]

Who visits the countryside Natural England Survey

Seems you need a dog to encourage you ! http://naturalengland.etraderstores.com/NaturalEnglandShop/NECR049

FOE changing diet challenge

Looking at the health effects on the Friends of the Earth / Compassion in World […]

See the pictures and read some of the comments from our 17 October Open Day

We held our second open day of the year on Sunday. Due to work load […]

Food Standards Agency looks at climate change and food

The purpose of the report was to inform how climate change may affect the Agency’s […]

Food Chain Initiative on Skills

I have been battling away at this food chain approach to skills  in the Fruit […]

UK National Ecosystem Assessment

The NEA  are the expert group informing Government about ecosystems (nature) and what has and […]

House of Commons debate on Natural England 12.30-1.00 26 October

Looks like a major  transfer of advisors outside RDPE delivery of ELS etc to private […]

Defra spending review shows major cuts

Over the course of the Spending Review period, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural […]

Nature consultation

An invitation to shape the nature of England Our natural environment underpins our economic prosperity, […]

Defra launches its thinking on greening the agenda

Defra is rethinking and redefining its approach to the environment  and broadening the concept to […]

COPA-COGECA SLAMS EU COMMISSION PLANS TO SIDELINE ECONOMIC OBJECTIVES OF CAP IN EU BUDGET PLANS

PRESS RELEASE COPA-COGECA SLAMS EU COMMISSION PLANS TO SIDELINE ECONOMIC OBJECTIVES OF CAP IN EU […]

The Boss at play

Fruit and Vegetable Task Force

The Industry Fruit and Vegetable Task Force has completed its work    There is an action […]

Defra announces changes to their quangos

http://ww2.defra.gov.uk/news/2010/10/14/public-bodies/

Making space for Nature

This review of the ecology  gives a comprehensive assessment of how present Natural England ideas […]

Ms Mary Creagh MP for Wakefield has been appointed as Labour shadow Defra Minister

http://www.marycreagh.co.uk/

CAP public consultation

Some of this is seen to be incorporated in the leaked document http://ec.europa.eu/agriculture/cap-post-2013/debate/report/executive-summary_en.pdf Summing up […]

Climate Change The Royal Society reviews the science evidence and classifies the risks of change

This review helps to rationalize the various claims and counterclaims http://royalsociety.org/Royal-Society-launches-new-climate-change-guide/

The CAP leaked document

[download id=”8960″]

PRC publish their 2009 Annual Report for and Quarter 1 2010 report

http://www.pesticides.gov.uk/prc.asp?id=2791 http://www.pesticides.gov.uk/prc.asp?id=2937

Re-submission of applications for review active substances following voluntary withdrawal and non-inclusion in Annex I of Directive 91/414/EEC – extension of expiry dates for authorisations

http://www.pesticides.gov.uk/approvals.asp?id=2934

COPA-COGECA WARNS AGAINST EU COMMISSION PLANS WHICH RAISE COSTS EVEN FURTHER FOR EU FARMERS

[download id=”8956″]

COPA-COGECA APPROVES DECLARATION ON FUTURE CAP AT CONGRESS OF EUROPEAN FARMERS

[download id=”8952″]

COPA_COGECA CALLS FOR STRONG CAP AT 2010 EUROPEAN FARMERS CONGRESS

[download id=”8950″]

Defra statement on climate change adaptation

http://www.defra.gov.uk/environment/climate/documents/adapting-new-approach-100916.pdf

Conservatives announce recommendations of Taylor Review

The Conservativeparty publish the Taylor report  on the future of research funding (and Skills)   which […]

COPA-COGECA CALLS FOR STRONG CAP TO AVOID COMPLETE COLLAPSE OF MARKET

Copa-Cogeca urged EU Farm Ministers today to ensure there is a competitive EU agri-foodsector and […]

Preparing for climate change

http://downloads.theccc.org.uk.s3.amazonaws.com/ASC/CCC_ASC_Report_web_1.pdf The opinions of the experts working with the Committee on Climate Change which was […]

Goverment debate on Biodiversity

http://www.publications.parliament.uk Boy they can talk and air their NGO briefings     References  to peat  and the […]

French and Germans team up on views for future of CAP reform

http://agriculture.gouv.fr

CRD Annual Review

The Chemicals Regulation Directorate (CRD) brings together pesticides, biocides, chemicals and detergents regulatory work into […]

Vince Cable – Science, Research and Innovation Speech

Over the next few weeks and months, major decisions will be made on Government spending […]

Food Security The Challenge Of Feeding 9 million people

http://www.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/full/327/5967/812

COPA-COGECA WELCOMES EUROPEAN PARLIAMENTS VOTE ON RULES TO IMPROVE FUNCTIONING OF EU FOOD CHAIN

Copa-Cogeca welcomed today the vote by European Parliament on new rules designed to improve the […]

STC Autumn Open Day 17 October 2010 12-4pm

Following the success of our last open day, STC will be holding our next open […]

Press coverage of the launch of the Fruit and Veg Task Force publication

[download id=”8944″] http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/healthnews http://www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/earthnews http://www.hortweek.com/channel/EdiblesProduction

Defra publish the Fruit and Vegetable Task Force report

http://ww2.defra.gov.uk/2010/08/26/fruit-veg-news/

Researchers Suggest Microalgal Biofuels Could Be Sustainable and Economical in 10-15 Years

Although microalgae are not yet produced at large scale for bulk applications such as fuel […]

Agricultural Advisory Services Analysis Report

The Agricultural Advisory Services Analysis Report assesses the different ways that farmers are given advice […]

An interesting French view on CAP reform from their equivalent of our Royal Agric Society

Also in July the French Govt passed the The Agricultural Modernisation Law (Loi de la […]

Eat your greens

A positive message for diabetes avoidance for cabbage and spinach eaters http://www.bmj.com/cgi/content/full/341/aug18_4/c4229 http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-11028825

Delivering technology transfer An interesting analysis with very complex recommendations

Agricultural advisory services analysis http://www.defra.gov.uk/foodfarm/landmanage/climate/documents/advisory-analysis.pdf

PRC’s Rolling Reporting: Results 2010

http://www.pesticides.gov.uk/prc.asp?id=2870

PGRO Crop Bulletin 12

[download id=”8938″]

New OECD Test Guidelines

The Organisation for Economic Co-Operation and Development has recently adopted a number of new or […]

Regulatory update – retaking decisions on plant protection products – 13 August 2010

The Pesticides Safety Directorate (PSD, previously an executive agency of Defra) was transferred into the […]

Advice on slug control

http://www.ahdb.org.uk/slugcontrol/

Opinions on improving farm regulation wanted

The new Task Force on Farming Regulation are calling for opinions and ideas on ways […]

Happy 60th Birthday to Ann Black

Happy 60th birthday to our long suffering Office Manager from all your friends at STC. […]

New OECD Test Guidelines

http://www.pesticides.gov.uk/approvals.asp?id=2924

BIS consults on skills policy

The new Govt making policy now is your chance to comment http://www.bis.gov.uk/assets/biscore/further-education-skills/docs/s/10-1073-skills-consultation.pdf

Innovation in EU agriculture: House of Lords Committee wants your views

An inquiry into Innovation in EU Agriculture has been launched today by the House of […]

Communal weed control or whipping up local antagonism by the self-righteous ?

http://ww2.defra.gov.uk/2010/08/02/ragwort/

Some facts on some birds but nothing on predators bird or mammalian

http://www.defra.gov.uk/evidence/statistics/environment/wildlife/download/pdf/100729farmland-birds-release.pdf

Nature July 29 th edition has done a special on feeding the world

Special : Can science feed the world? Forty years from now there will be 2 […]

Are vertical farms the future of urban food?

With more mouths to feed and increasing demands on land, will high rise city blocks […]

Three Defra reports on peat

One on actual usage  The Second on trying to do an emission comparison with other […]

Survey into understanding of pesticide handling on farms

http://www.defra.gov.uk/foodfarm/landmanage/water/csf/documents/ecsfdi-farmer-survey2009.pdf

Making our Food System Fairer

http://www.foodethicscouncil.org/system/files/FoodJustice_reportweb.pdf

Rolling Reporting: Results 2010

http://www.pesticides.gov.uk/prc.asp?id=2870

Government heads away from regulation Hurrah for Turkey Twizzlers

Healthier Food Mark and Government Buying Standards (Food) The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Health […]

Defra statement on Research Funding Rather vague!!!

Agriculture: Environment Protection Mr Sanders: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and […]

Re-registration Requirements Following Further Annex I Inclusion Decisions: July 2010

http://www.pesticides.gov.uk/approvals.asp?id=2920

COPA-COGECA WELCOMES EU APPROVAL OF NEW BEEKEEPING PROGRAMMES FOR 2010-2013

http://www.copa-cogeca.eu/Download.ashx?ID=665622&fmt=pdf

Defra outlines its structural reform plans

http://www.defra.gov.uk/corporate/about/what/documents/defra-srp-100716.pdf

Defra announces changes to arm’s length bodies

[download id=”8934″]

PGRO Crop Bulletin 11

[download id=”8932″]

The CAP debate in Europe takes a further consultation step to gain consensus

http://ec.europa.eu/agriculture/cap-post-2013/conference/index_en.htm

Food Standards Agency in England

The Government recognise the important role of the Food Standards Agency in England, which will […]

TSB crop protection award details

http://www.innovateuk.org/_assets/pdf/press-releases

EU allows member states to make their own rules on GM

http://ec.europa.eu/food/food/biotechnology/index_en.htm

Maximum Residue Levels (MRLs) and 2-phenylphenol, safeners and synergists

http://www.pesticides.gov.uk/food_safety.asp?id=2908

Efficacy considerations relating to the current 91/414 Directive, and introduction of the New Regulation (EC 1107/2009)

http://www.pesticides.gov.uk/approvals.asp?id=2912

Tony Cooper decides to take early retirement

http://www.rpa.gov.uk/rpa

NFU at the Yorkshire Show

STC gives considerable support to NFU Stand. We grow specialized produce for the stand and […]

Schools gardening show competition at the Yorkshire Show

The main input to this competition was provided by Julian Davies (STC) with Bulrush and […]

Stockbridge an asset to Yorkshire Horticulture

Stockbridge Technology Centre was presented as an asset for Yorkshire Horticulture on the BBC Look […]

PGRO Crop Bulletin 10

[download id=”8924″]

PGRO Crop Bulletin 9

[download id=”8926″]

Food Standards Agency to be scrapped

Maximum Residue Levels (MRLs) and 2-phenylphenol, safeners and synergists

http://www.pesticides.gov.uk/food_safety.asp?id=2908

Anaerobic Digestion – Realising the potential

Government invites discussion on the future of energy from waste Climate Change Minister Greg Barker […]

EU audit of agri-environment schemes in England

Defra is making changes to the way farmers are paid for protecting the environment, after […]

Greenhouse gas emissions ‘complex challenge’

The joint agricultural Climate Change Task Force has agreed with the Committee on Climate Change […]

University receives £1.1m to fund pollinator research

The University of Reading has been awarded £1.1m to help identify the main threats to […]

Crop protection projects handed £13.5m boost

Thirty-two applied crop protection research projects have been awarded £13.5m of government funding, the Technology […]

Food prices: new legislation needed to improve price transparency and farmers’ returns

http://www.europarl.europa.eu

‘Vague’ health benefit claims to be combated with approval list

Claims of health benefits for many fresh fruit and vegetable products are being deemed “too […]

Nitrate content ‘behind benefits of beetroot juice

The nitrate content of beetroot juice helps lower blood pressure, research has shown.A study in […]

Soil Association Director Steps Down

Soil Association Director, Patrick Holden, will be stepping down on 30 September 2010 and will […]

Horticulture needs financially stable R&D facilities to remain competitive

World class science from financially stable facilities is vital if the British horticulture industry is […]

Food Dudes win Gold Award

Pauline Milne, National Food Dudes Project Coordinator, Bangor University, and Dr Adrian Phillips, Director of […]

COPA-COGECA VOICES SERIOUS CONCERNS ABOUT TRADE POLICY IN MEETING WITH COMMISSIONER DE GUCHT

Press Release COPA-COGECA VOICES SERIOUS CONCERNS ABOUT TRADE POLICY IN MEETING WITH COMMISSIONER DE GUCHT […]

The report of the pesticide residue testing programme for the Department of Health’s National School Fruit and Vegetable programme for Autumn term 2009/10

http://www.pesticides.gov.uk/

Pesticide Residues Monitoring: Fourth Quarter Results (October to December 2009)

http://www.pesticides.gov.uk/prc.asp?id=2791

Agenda – 3025th AGRICULTURE and FISHERIES Council meeting – Luxembourg, 29 June 2010

http://www.consilium.europa.eu/uedocs/cms_Data/docs/pressdata/en/agricult/115462.pdf

Copa-Cogecas’new forecasts for EU-27 cereals production for the 2010/11 marketing year

http://www.copa-cogeca.eu/img/user/file/ALL_CER2010.pdf

NFU/HDC Summer Conference-Health Claims for Fruit and Vegetables: The Facts

Presentations given at the conference [download id=”8910″] [download id=”8912″] [download id=”8918″] [download id=”8914″] [download id=”8920″] […]

The OECD on world agriculture for 2010-2019 Interesting trends and thoughts which serve as background to land use and CAP

http://www.agri-outlook.org

World Science on biodiversity Collating knowledge for Govt policy development

http://www.ipbes.net/about-ipbes.html

DEFRA publishes NEW RB 209

The new edition of RB209, the Fertiliser Manual, has just been published. It can be […]

See the pictures of our Open Day 13 June 2010 and read the comments from staff and visitors

All photographs courtesy of the NFU [nggallery id=8] “As usual I acted as greeter for […]

A very good walk through with references the climate change tensions

http://www.rothamsted.bbsrc.ac.uk/aen/reviews/Climate_Change_Draft_B03.pdf

The Red Tractor celebrates 10 years identifying UK produced food

http://www.myredtractor.co.uk/site/rtc_main.php

3021st ENVIRONMENT Council meeting (provisional version), Luxembourg, 11 June 2010

http://www.consilium.europa.eu/uedocs/cms_Data/docs/pressdata/en/envir/115143.pdf

Council conclusions on climate change

http://www.consilium.europa.eu/uedocs/cms_Data/docs/pressdata/en/envir/115140.pdf

Read the Biographys of the speakers at the NFU/HDC Summer conference

[download id=”8892″] [download id=”8894″] [download id=”8896″] [download id=”8898″] [download id=”8900″] [download id=”8902″] [download id=”8904″] [download […]

STC Open Farm Sunday 13 June 2010

Sunday 13th June 2010, 12pm-4pm various activities and fun for all the family. For more […]

Perennial field margins with combined agronomical and ecological benefits for vegetable rotation schemes website

www.ecostac.co.uk

Council conclusions on preparing forests for climate change: Forest protection and information in the EU

http://www.consilium.europa.eu/uedocs/cms_Data/docs/pressdata/en/envir/115113.pdf

Council conclusions on water scarcity, drought and adaptation to climate change:

http://www.consilium.europa.eu/uedocs/cms_Data/docs/pressdata/en/envir/115115.pdf

PGRO Crop Bulletin 8

[download id=”8890″]

THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION ADVISORY GROUP ON FRUIT AND VEGETABLES CALLS ON THE EU AGRICULTURE COMMISSIONER TO TAKE ACTION

[download id=”8888″]

First Major Speech to farmers on Policy by new Defra Secretary of State

http://ww2.defra.gov.uk/2010/06/10/spelman-speech-cereals2010/

COPA-COGECA URGES MEMBER STATES TO FULLY IMPLEMENT DIRECTIVE TO BOOST BIOFUEL USE

PRESS RELEASE COPA-COGECA URGES MEMBER STATES TO FULLY IMPLEMENT THE EU RENEWABLE ENERGY DIRECTIVE TO […]

Download the new STC Leaflet

[download id=”8886″]

More information on school lunches from Schools food Trust

http://www.schoolfoodtrust.org.uk/schools/projects/packed-lunches http://www.schoolfoodtrust.org.uk/school-cooks-caterers/reports/primary-school-food-survey-2009-school-lunches-versus-packed-lunches

Yorkshire will be the ‘Garden of England’ !!!

AN East Yorkshire vegetable business is thriving, thanks to a £250,000 grant from Yorkshire Forward. […]

COPA-COGECA HIGHLIGHTS ECONOMIC ROLE OF FARMERS IN PROVIDING FOOD AND SERVICES TO SOCIETY

http://www.copa-cogeca.eu/Download.ashx?ID=647014&fmt=pdf

PGRO have set up a new field vegetable demonstration site

As a result of collaboration between the Processors and Growers Research Organisation, Syngenta Seeds, Syngenta […]

News from EU

Trade organisations Freshfel Europe, Aprifel and AREFLH, as well as the European Public Health & […]

Further science to support 5 a day

Fruit and veg advice gets nutrigenomic boost Increased intakes of fruit and vegetables may decrease […]

Read Graham Ward OBE’s response to Gerry Hayman’s letter in Horticultural Weekly

Graham Ward OBE’s response to Gerry Hayman’s letter in the Horticultural Weekly can be found […]

Zac Goldsmith is urging ministers to kickstart a revolution in eating habits

Zac Goldsmith wants the government and public sector’s £2 billion annual food budget to be […]

PGRO Crop Bulletin 7

[download id=”8874″]

PGRO Crop Bulletin 6

[download id=”8872″]

PGRO Crop Bulletin 5

[download id=”8870″]

Proposals for 2011 UK Monitoring Plan For Pesticide Residues in Food and Drink

Initial proposals outlining plans for the UK monitoring of pesticide residues in food and drink […]

COPA-COGECA EMPHASISES POSITIVE CONTRIBUTION AGRICULTURE MAKES TO BIODIVERSITY

http://www.copa-cogeca.eu/Download.ashx?ID=645365&fmt=pdf

5 th international conference of F&V Producer Organisations

http://www.gfa.co.at/ICOP_en

Queens speech detailed debate on food and rural

Commons debates The programme for debating the Queen’s Speech in the Commons is as follows: […]

FCRN anounce a new Debate website

FCRN are pleased to announce a new and additional FCRN website – Debate http://debate.fcrn.org.uk which […]

Some evidence for urban green spaces and their condition

http://www.cabe.org.uk/files/urban-green-nation-summary.pdf

NFU Chelsea Horticultural stand wins Gold

Congratulations from STC http://www.nfuonline.com/Home/Chelsea-Gold/

University Council response to Applied Crop Research at Warwick

Warwick University has announced today the University Council has considered a recommendation to establish a […]

EFSA survey needs protected crop growers evidence to frame the future use of pesticides under cover

http://www.nfuonline.com/Your-input-needed-for-EFSA-protected-cropping-survey

Warwick University Senate agree to the concept of a Applied Research Centre at Wellesbourne

COPA-COGECA SUPPORTS MEMBER STATES OPPOSTION TO RE-OPENING TRADE TALKS WITH MERCOSUR

http://www.copa-cogeca.eu/Download.ashx?ID=639500&fmt=pdf

The Coalition agreement in full

Note specific comments on green infrastructure and habitats  nothing on food or CAP reform http://www.conservatives.com/News/News_stories/2010/05/Coalition_Agreement_published.aspx

James Paice has been appointed as Minister of State in Defra & Caroline Spelman is Sec of State

http://ww2.defra.gov.uk/about/ministers

NFU/HDC Summer Conference at STCHealth Claims for Fruit and Vegetables: The Facts

NFU/HDC Summer Conference at STC Health Claims for Fruit and Vegetables: The Facts Stockbridge Technology […]

NFU/HDC Summer Conference at STC Health Claims for Fruit and Vegetables: The Facts

Our Summer conference has already featured in the press. http://www.freshinfo.com Graham Ward OBE talks to […]

COPA-COGECA PRESENTS FIRST POSITION PAPER ON FUTURE CAP AT EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT HEARING

http://www.copa-cogeca.eu/Download.ashx?ID=638653&fmt=pdf [download id=”8866″]

CAP reform as seen from the EU farmers and Cooperatives organisations

[download id=”8864″]

A novel way of assessing impact of reduction in pesticide use

http://www.aes.ac.uk/_pdfs/_conferences/304_abstract.pdf

In depth research from RELU programme lead by Leeds shows limited wildlife /biodiversity advantages from organic farming

http://www.leeds.ac.uk/news/article/802/organic_farming_shows_limited_be

Clarification regarding products approved for use on conservation crops

This Information Update is to clarify the definition of crops grown for conservation purposes under […]

COPA-COGECA WARNS FARM INCOME DROP CONFIRMS NEED FOR ACTION

http://www.copa-cogeca.eu/Download.ashx?ID=637074&fmt=pdf

Norfolk potato grower admits use of illegal pesticide

On 20 April 2010 at Ely Magistrates Court, following proceedings taken by the Health and […]

The NFU CAP reform policy 2013 onwards

Including opinion  on research funding page 10 http://www.nfuonline.com/Our-work/Economics-and-International/CAP/NFU-launches-CAP-policy/

EU FARM LEADERS ADOPT POSITION ON FUTURE CAP

http://www.copa-cogeca.eu/Download.ashx?ID=635561&fmt=pdf

EU FARM LEADERS ADOPT POSITION ON FOOD SUPPLY CHAIN

http://www.copa-cogeca.eu/Download.ashx?ID=635588&fmt=pdf

Clarification regarding products approved for use on conservation crops

http://www.pesticides.gov.uk/approvals.asp?id=2884

PGRO Crop Bulletin 4

[download id=”8858″]

COPA HIGHLIGHTS IMPORTANCE OF WOMEN FARMERS IN NEW POSITION PAPER

[download id=”8856″]

EU FARM LEADERS LEADERS CALL FOR MAJOR IMPROVEMENT IN EU PROMOTION POLICY FOR AGRICULTURE PRODUCTS

[download id=”8850″]

COPA-COGECA EMPHASISE IMPORTANCE OF LFAS IN MAINTAINING EMPLOYMENT IN RURAL AREAS

c[download id=”8848″]

EU FARM LEADERS CALL FOR SUPPORT FOR FRUIT AND VEGETABLE ORGANISATIONS TO BE KEPT AFTER 2013

[download id=”8846″]

Potential and Agreed Changes to Maximum Residue Levels (MRLs)

http://www.pesticides.gov.uk/food_safety.asp?id=546

Honeybee Toxicity Studies Statement

http://www.pesticides.gov.uk/approvals.asp?id=2881

EFSA Guidance on the Risk Assessment for Birds and Mammals in the UK

This Regulatory Update advises on which Bird and Mammal guidance should be used for risk […]

HDC/STC Second Spring Conference:
19th April 2010

Photograph courtesy of Spence Gunn Lord Heseltine opened the afternoon session of the conference  . […]

Figures from IGD’s survey into eating habits

Retail and consumer analyst IGD, following a survey of 1,036 shoppers, has found that, while […]

PGRO Crop Bulletin3

[download id=”8810″]

PGRO Crop Bulletin 2

[download id=”8808″]

The availability of the peat alternatives Defra commissioned work

http://randd.defra.gov.uk/Document.aspx?Document=SP08019_8932_FRP.pdf

Planning regulations which will frame green infrastructure

Very important for ornamental sector  as it sets agenda for potential future markets and could […]

HDC/STC Second Spring Conference :
19th April 2010

Presentation from the 2nd Spring Conference [download id=”8812″] [download id=”8814″] [download id=”8816″] [download id=”8818″] [download […]

Defra lay out their anaerobic digester implementation

http://www.defra.gov.uk/environment/waste/ad/documents/implementation-plan2010.pdf

Yorkshire Post did article this week on Stockbridge and some implications of the changes away from LINK and Defra funding to TSB funding

http://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/country-view/Private-profit-fear-for-public.6216606.jp

Food Fact of Life April Email published

http://ymlp.com/zPoud9

STC Stengthens it’s Science Team

STC has appointed Luke Tilley to work with entomologist Dr Pat Croft in delivering applied […]

Defra funds for research 2006 till 2009

[download id=”8796″]

HDC/STC Second Spring Conference : 19th April 2010

4 BASIS points are available for this conference 1 CP 1 E 2 PD

HDC/STC Second Spring Conference :
19th April 2010

Also sponsoring this event is Farexchange.

HDC/STC Second Spring Conference :
19th April 2010

Lord Heseltine will be joining us for lunch and opening the afternoon session on behalf […]

Consumer reactions to new food technologies

http://www.food.gov.uk/multimedia/pdfs/emergingfoodteches.pdf

UK research community unites to help ensure future food security

The UK’s main public funders of food-related research and training will today (11 March) join […]

Council of Food Policy Advisors’ Second Report

http://www.defra.gov.uk/foodfarm/food/policy/council/pdf/cfpa-rpt-100315.pdf

Defra trying to sort out the tensions

Call for proposals: Evidence to define the sustainability of a healthy diet Project number FFG […]

A timely reminder from Sustain on have difficult it is to achieve behavioral change

This excellent review of 10 years of investment of money ,guidelines, promotion and  soft persuasion  […]

Action required on ‘Grandfather Rights’

Article 5 in the current Defra consultation on Implementation of EU Pesticides Legislation  [http://www.defra.gov.uk/corporate/consult/pesticides/] relates […]

PGRO Crop Bulletin 1 2010

[download id=”8794″]

Comprehensive study on possible health risk of irrigation water and possible mitigation actions

http://www.foodbase.org.uk/admintools/report_final.pdf

Pesticide Residues Monitoring: Third Quarter Results (July to September 2010)

http://www.pesticides.gov.uk/prc.asp?id=2791

Consumer attitudes to food technology including GM in 2008 FSA research

http://www.food.gov.uk/news/newsarchive/2010/mar/foodtechbsa08

Defra announced a target to phase-out peat for amateur gardeners by 2020

A new Act on CO2 campaign launched today will encourage gardeners to use peat-free products; […]

NFU President Peter Kendall has been re-elected for a third term after securing more than 75% of the vote from NFU Council members during their Annual General Meeting in Birmingham.

Voting also saw Meurig Raymond re-elected as Deputy President to serve his third term and […]

A Want to know about becoming LEAF Marque certified?

[download id=”8780″]

EFRA Select Committee Public Session on Defra Evidence Planning 2010/2013 onwards to determine the department strategies

[download id=”8772″]

Dr Duncan Greenwood CBE FRS passed away on the 13th February 2010

Dr Duncan Greenwood enjoyed a long and distinguished research career.  He established his lasting interest […]

Defra research report on consumer views relating to food choice ,diet, waste, seasonality and how food chain might react

http://randd.defra.gov.uk/Document.aspx?Document=EV0510_8632_FRP.pdf

How can scientists be understood ?

http://interactive.bis.gov.uk

Translation of Research into Use – Roadmapping the Issues by Sector for the Sub-Group to the Food Research Partnership

[download id=”8770″]

AHDB – NEW CEO FOR LEVY BOARD

AHDB NEWS RELEASE 15 February 2010 NEW CEO FOR LEVY BOARD TOM TAYLOR has been […]

Healthy Bees Plan

To better understand how to support new and existing beekeepers Defra has commissioned East Malling […]

Very wide ranging consultation Will affect use skills and reporting to bystanders

http://www.defra.gov.uk/corporate/consult/pesticides/100209-pesticides-condoc.pdf

Transcript from this morning’s Radio 4 Farming today programme with Dominic and Ms Downs

[download id=”8768″]

Restructuring at East Malling

http://www.emr.ac.uk

Rhubarb could help fight cancer

Sheffield Hallam University, together with the Scottish Crop Research Institute have found that baking British […]

Ciolos approved as agriculture commissioner

http://www.europarl.europa.eu/news

Consultation on The Implementation of EU Pesticides Legislation

The Chemicals Regulation Directorate of HSE is carrying out a public consultation on behalf of […]

Revocation of Approval for Use of Pirimiphos-methyl as a Structural Treatment

Revocation of the use of pirimiphos-methyl as a structural treatment (empty grain stores, equipment and […]

Dow calls for return of old aminopyralid stocks

PRESS RELEASE 05 FEBRUARY 2010 Dow calls for return of old aminopyralid stocks While aminopyralid […]

Relu Newsflash What is Land For?

The introductory chapter of “What is Land for?  The Food, Fuel and Climate Change Debate” […]

Revocation of Approval for Use of Pirimiphos-methyl as a Structural Treatment

Revocation of the use of pirimiphos-methyl as a structural treatment (empty grain stores, equipment and […]

Farmers offered new Green Funding Deal

Carbon Trust announces extension of interest-free energy saving loans for small and medium-sized business to […]

Environment agency and natural england given new enforcement powers

The Environment Agency and Natural England today became the first regulators to be given new […]

Britain’s businesses urged to tap into green economy potential

Britain’s businesses should tap the full potential of a low carbon economy and green society […]

Chair appointed to Regional Flood Defence Committee

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs has appointed Arthur Barker as the Chair […]

Your last chance to help shape the BCPC Conference agenda

http://bcpccongress.cmp-info.com/q/11yzCBiDp5Mifevz/wv

Changes to Labelling and Other Requirements for Home and Garden Pesticides (2)

This Update replaces Regulatory Update 30/2009 issued on 9 September 2009. It clarifies the use […]

Fine Imposed for Illegally Storing an Unapproved Pesticide Product

On the 11 January 2010 at Norwich Magistrates Court following proceedings taken by the Health […]

Graham Ward to meet with Neil Bragg, David Gwyther, Sarah Pettit & Sarah Fairhurst

To address the ongoing problem of ornamentals research, a meeting was set to go ahead […]

Technology Strategy Board makes surprise ruling to allow levy payments as co-funding in R&D projects

The call for projects to apply to the TSB’s £13m collaborative R&D fund for crop […]

Revocation of products to be withdrawn from the market containing bifenthrin

Regulatory Update 25/2009 provided notification of the future withdrawal of bifenthrin from the plant protection […]

Revocation of products to be withdrawn from the market containing diphenylamine or triazoxide

Regulatory Update 24/2009 provided notification of the future withdrawal of diphenylamine and triazoxide from the […]

New Director for Rothampstead

The Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC), the Governing Body of Rothamsted Research and […]

Get involved, join the NFU board

The NFU Board for Horticulture and Potatoes is seeking nominations from horticultural and potato growers […]

Haiti Earthquake appeal

http://www.dec.org.uk/

The School lunch box needs more Fruit and Veg Are we offering a convenient product ?

http://www.leeds.ac.uk/news/article/683/call_to_fill_nutrition_gap_in_the_school_lunchbox

Georgina Downs to take pesticide case to Europe

ANTI-PESTICIDE campaigner Georgina Downs has pledged to fight the Government’s ‘inadequate’ policy on crop spraying […]

The horticultural R&D paper at Oxford Farming Conference

http://www.ofc.org.uk/images/stories/File/Lamotte%202010_Science%20in%20practice%20for%20seasonal%20crop%20production.pdf

UN International Year of Biodiversity 2010

http://www.cbd.int/2010/welcome/ http://www.biodiversityislife.net/

Defra Food 2030 Strategy and accompanying research policy documents

http://www.defra.gov.uk/foodfarm/food/strategy/index.htm

Royal Geographic Society Annual Conference 1-3 September has a session of Food Security

There is a call for papers by organizers of this session at University of Gloucestershire […]

New Food security website launched by the BBSRC so research orientated

http://www.foodsecurity.ac.uk/

Professor Ian Crute was awarded a CBE in the New Years Honours

http://www.rothamsted.ac.uk/corporate/PressReleases/BCPCMedal.html

BIS skills strategy to go alongside the BIS Economic Dev

[download id=”8766″]

Scottish Government Pesticide Pratices Survey

[download id=”8764″]

House of Lords Debate on Food Security ( Royal Society Report)

http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/ld200910/ldhansrd/text/91210-0012.htm

Agenda – 2988th ENVIRONMENT Council meeting – Brussels, 22 December 2009:

http://www.consilium.europa.eu/uedocs/cms_Data/docs/pressdata/en/envir/111971.pdf

-Presidency briefing (21.12.2009, 14.30) – 2988th ENVIRONMENT Council meeting – Brussels, 21 December 2009

http://www.consilium.europa.eu/uedocs/cms_Data/docs/pressdata/en/envir/111909.pdf

Potential and Agreed Changes to Maximum Residue Levels (MRLs)

Since September 2008 all statutory MRLs have been set on an EC-wide basis under Regulation […]

Prior Informed Consent (PIC) Regulation – concerning the export and import of dangerous chemicals

n 1999, the United Kingdom signed the Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure […]

EU Thematic Stategy for Pesticides: Publication of Legislation

The EU Thematic Strategy for Pesticides includes a Regulation (to replace the pesticide authorisation Directive […]

Estimation of the greenhouse gas emissions from agricultural pesticide manufacture and use

Estimation_of_the_greenhouse_gas_emissions_from_agricultural_pesticide_manufacture_and_use-2009.pdf

The AgriSkills Forum have produced a new Strategy for skills development in Agriculture and Horticulture for consultation

It is based around  the Professionalism  and Continual Professional Development (CPD)  . There is much […]

The Food Standards Agency Food Contaminants Newsletter

Has comments on nitrates ,cadmium and mycotoxins http://www.food.gov.uk/multimedia/pdfs/contaminantsbulletinnov09.pdf

Dr Hazel MacTavish West report from the Carrot conference

[download id=”8762″]

UK Pesticide Guide – the ‘Green Book’

The 2010 edition of the UK Pesticide Guide will be available early in January.  The […]

EU Thematic Stategy for Pesticides: Publication of Legislation

http://www.pesticides.gov.uk/approvals.asp?id=2826

Hazel Mac Tavish West notes on the Sakata Broccoli Conference 09/11/2009

[download id=”8760″]

The EU consults on a policy for agriculture and food security

Close January 9th  Interesting background intellectual thoughts http://www.ukcds.org.uk/news-Public_consultation_on_food_security-143.html

Climate Smart Food

A wide ranging conference held in Sweden  It gives the European Union thinking from various […]

Happy Christmas from STC

This year we will not be send individual cards, instead we will be making  donations […]

AGENDA – 2982nd COMPETITIVENESS (Internal Market, Industry and Research) Council, Brussels, 3 4 December 2009

http://www.consilium.europa.eu/uedocs/cms_Data/docs/pressdata/en/intm/111605.pdf

VI WARNING: Pay close attention to rainfall and wet soils

Press Release 30 November 2009 VI WARNING: Pay close attention to rainfall and wet soils […]

PRESIDENCY BRIEFING (2.12.2009, 15.00) – 2982nd COMPETITIVENESS (Internal Market, Industry and Research) Council, Brussels, 3-4 December 2009:

http://www.consilium.europa.eu/uedocs/cms_Data/docs/pressdata/en/intm/111533.pdf

New EU Commissioner for Agriculture

Romania’s Dacian Cioloş will replace Mariann Fischer Boel as EU Commissioner for Agriculture, pending approval […]

2977th ENVIRONMENT Council (PROVISIONAL VERSION), Brussels, 23.11.2009

http://www.consilium.europa.eu/uedocs/cms_Data/docs/pressdata/en/envir/111411.pdf

RECORD NUMBERS ATTEND WATER PROTECTION WORKSHOPS

Press Release 23rd November 2009 RECORD NUMBERS ATTEND WATER PROTECTION WORKSHOPS Record numbers of agronomists […]

VI WARNING – Observe buffer zones when spraying oilseed rape and beans

PRESS RELEASE 20 November 2009 VI WARNING – Observe buffer zones when spraying oilseed rape […]

2976th AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES Council (provisional version), Brussels, 20 November 2009

http://www.consilium.europa.eu/uedocs/cms_Data/docs/pressdata/en/agricult/111400.pdf

Council Conclusions on theAgriculture and Fisheries experience gained from the application of the hygiene Regulations:

http://www.consilium.europa.eu/uedocs/cms_Data/docs/pressdata/en/agricult/111384.pdf

Background note – 2977th ENVIRONMENT Council meeting – Brussels, 23 November 2009:

http://www.consilium.europa.eu/uedocs/cms_Data/docs/pressdata/en/envir/111362.pdf

PUBLIC DELIBERATIONS/PUBLIC DEBATES – 2976th AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES Council, Brussels, 20 November 2009

http://www.consilium.europa.eu/uedocs/cms_Data/docs/pressdata/en/agricult/111347.pdf

Consultation on the ADBH Corporate Plan

Industry Consultations As part of our work we sometimes need to consult with our industry […]

Warwick University decisions HW reports some industry responses

[download id=”8752″]

Clarification Of Guidance On Technical Equivalence Applications

The guidance document relating to Two-Stage Applications has been updated to include the requirement for […]

Revision of the Application Forms (2)

Regulatory Update 27/2009 (20 August 2009) announced the introduction of 4 new application forms for […]

BACKGROUND NOTE – 2976th AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES Council, Brussels, 20 November 2009

http://www.consilium.europa.eu/uedocs/cms_Data/docs/pressdata/en/agricult/111297.pdf

Food Ethics Council gives advice to supermarkets on selling seasonal food (F&V)

[download id=”8750″]

University of Warwick confirms its plans to close the Wellesbourne site

Staff  are to be reduced from 20 to 6 by 2011 and only 1 left […]

2976th AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES Council, Brussels, 20 November 2009:

http://www.consilium.europa.eu

2977th ENVIRONMENT Council meeting – Brussels, 23 November 2009:

http://www.consilium.europa.eu/uedocs/cms_Data/docs/pressdata/en/envir/111178.pdf

Parliament Debates the F&V in Schools schemes

http://www.publications.parliament.uk/

Consultant to STC reports on the International Conference on Healthy Fruit and Veg

For the last few months we have been working with Hazel, to see how best […]

Natural England review agric environ schemes

The most comprehensive analysis of agri-environment schemes (AES) yet undertaken is published today by Natural […]

BCPC conference hears papers saying cultural practices no substitute for crop protection weedkillers

At the 46th BCPC Annual Weed Review, held at the PGRO, Peterborough on 4 November […]

Official surveys show birdies have increased

Statistics released today show encouraging increases in many wild bird populations between 2007 and 2008.  […]

Campaign for Farmed Environment launched by CLA/NFU

Farming and conservation groups will today (Thursday November 5) join forces with the Government in […]

New Chair Appointed for FACTS

PRESS RELEASE Thursday 5th November 2009 New Chair Appointed for FACTS Geoff Dodgson has been […]

Efficacy Guidelines

The Efficacy guidelines contain information additional to the general guidance in the redrafted registration handbook […]

Revocation of products to be withdrawn from the market containing chlorthal-dimethyl

Regulatory Update 23/2009 provided notification of the future withdrawal of chlorthal-dimethyl from the plant protection […]

Procedures for setting maximum residue levels to cover new authorised EC uses and as a result of import tolerance applications

CRD has produced a flow chart to show the stages and timescales involved in processing […]

Fine Imposed For Illegally Selling or Causing and Permitting the Sale of an Unapproved Pesticide Product

On 5 October 2009 at Northampton Magistrates Court, following legal proceedings taken by Northamptonshire Trading […]

Batches of ‘Clone’ (M14320) – Information to purchasers and users

AgriGuard Limited, the approval holder of ‘Clone’ (MAPP No’ 14320) has notified the Chemicals Regulation […]

Nitrates Article Is nitrate healthy Helga D’Have in Belgian magazine Discusses the science and the origin of the myths

[download id=”8744″]

The NFU response to the Royal Society report on gobal food security

http://www.nfuonline.com/x43036.xml

NFU announce new Director General

The NFU is very pleased to announce that Kevin Roberts is to be the organisation’s […]

The Ornamental sector forgotten in rush for Food Security agenda

R&D funding programme HortLINK has been abruptly suspended by Defra, sparking concerns for ornamentals research, […]

FORMER Defra Minister Jane Kennedy

FORMER Defra Minister Jane Kennedy has been confirmed as the new chair of the All-Party […]

The EU Council view of Food Security and world trade

http://www.consilium.europa.eu/uedocs/cms_data/docs/pressdata/en/agricult/110606.pdf

Friends of the Earth respond to Royal Soc. Report

Commenting on a new Royal Society report on science and food, published today, Friends of […]

Fruit and Vegetable Task Force announced

A new Task Force will help England to grow and eat more fruit and vegetables […]

Environment: -Press release – 2968th ENVIRONMENT Council meeting – Luxembourg, 21 October 2009

http://www.consilium.europa.eu/uedocs/cms_Data/docs/pressdata/en/envir/110643.pdf

Let Nature Feed Your Senses

LEAF has launched an exciting new project and we would like to warmly invite you […]

Environment: -Council conclusions on EU position for the Copenhagen Climate Conference:

http://www.consilium.europa.eu/uedocs/cms_Data/docs/pressdata/en/envir/110634.pdf

Royal Society asks for £2 billion for food security

Me- thinks some electioneering for University funding . I have not read it fully yet […]

An in depth evidence piece of research for Defra on the socio –economic aspects of organic farming by Exeter University

A must read if you are interested in evidence rather than emotive drivers [download id=”8732″]

Chemicals Regulation Directorate 2009 Quarterly Reports

The results for the first 2 quarters (January to June) of 2009 are now published […]

Environment: -Background note – 2968th ENVIRONMENT Council meeting – Luxembourg, 21 October 2009:

http://www.consilium.europa.eu/uedocs/cms_Data/docs/pressdata/en/envir/110596.pdf

Sustainable Agriculture and Food Initiative aims to increase productivity

Sustainable Agriculture and Food Initiative aims to increase productivity Sustainable Agriculture and Food Innovation Platform […]

Environment: -Agenda – 2968th ENVIRONMENT Council meeting – Luxembourg, 21 October 2009:

http://www.consilium.europa.eu/uedocs/cms_Data/docs/pressdata/en/envir/110586.pdf

Agriculture and Fisheries: -Background note – 2966th AGRICULTURE Council meeting – Luxembourg, 19 Oct 2009:

http://www.consilium.europa.eu/uedocs/cms_Data/docs/pressdata/en/agricult/110583.pdf

-AGENDA – 2966th AGRICULTURE and FISHERIES Council meeting, Luxembourg, 19 and 20 October 2009

http://www.consilium.europa.eu

Committee on Climate Change has presented its first report to Government It concentrates on Meeting Carbon targets and measuring evidence Bassically concludes that uptake of mitigation measures needs speeding up However real science not political rhetoric

As part of its statutory role, the CCC provides annual reports to Parliament on the […]

FSA launch Food Mark Scheme for public sector procurement

A Government scheme, supported by the Food Standards Agency, aimed at encouraging and recognising best […]

Summary of Responses to the Consultation on the Pesticide Usage Surveys in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland

http://www.pesticides.gov.uk

EFSA delivers its first series of opinions on ‘general function’ health claims

EFSA has published its first series of opinions on the list of ‘general function’ health […]

Hunger for biofuels will gobble up wheat surplus

Britain’s self-sufficiency in wheat will end next year, because a giant new biofuel refinery needs […]

Science institutes join forces

Two of Scotland’s world-renowned science institutes are to join forces to form a new powerhouse […]

BCPC supports drive to new crop protection research – but is £13m enough?

In order to help the agricultural supply chain meet the challenges of increasing crop productivity […]

Government embarks on study of global environmental migration

The Government Office for Science today begins its latest Foresight project examining how future environmental […]

Food policy leaders unite in call for action on food security

Meeting global food needs will require effective action on a range of policy fronts, including […]

Top performing grassland herbicide returns

The approval of the Dow AgroSciences herbicide, aminopyralid, has been reinstated by ministers on the […]

One example of industry taking a clear lead to support us as growers is in the R&D arena

One example of industry taking a clear lead to support us as growers is in […]

Aminopyralid – New Approvals

http://www.pesticides.gov.uk

EU commissioner launches healthy eating programme for kids

The obesity rate amongst European children is alarming, with 22 million overweight children, five million […]

Government to launch £13m fund for crop protection R&D in wake of EU legislation

The Department for Business, Innovation & Skills will announce later this month that it is […]

BCPC seeks validation on EU Guidance on pesticide exposure assessment

New draft guidance on pesticide exposure assessment – published by the European Food Safety Authority […]

Scientists see if climate impacts on soil carbon emissions

Almost half a million pounds has been awarded to scientists to allow them to see […]

Largest Biomass Plant to Produce Green Electricity

A new power station that will use wood chip to produce enough electricity to power […]

Perennial energy crops could be good for carbon savings and for wildlife

Growing the energy crops short rotation coppice (SRC) willow and Miscanthus grass could help the […]

The NFU view on pesticides and Bees

The NFU has called for an independent and comprehensive assessment of the impact of neonicotinoids […]

The vanishing of the Bees Film

Bees are dying in their billions.In the UK, around one fifth of honeybee hives were […]

TAG and NIAB have now officially joined forces to become the NIAB group, following the recent EGM

At the recent EGM the resolutions put before the meeting were passed with the required […]

BCPC Congress to address the challenges of feeding the world

“The challenge of feeding future generations is so great it’s almost frightening,” warns Peter Kendall, […]

New Approaches to Crop Protection Competition

The Technology Strategy Board are launching a collaborative R&D competition with up to £13m investment […]

Guidance Concerning the Approval of Commodity Chemicals

http://www.pesticides.gov.uk/approvals.asp?id=2794

PRC 2009 Pears Survey: August Results

http://www.pesticides.gov.uk/prc.asp?id=2783

PRC 2009 Grapes Survey: August Results

http://www.pesticides.gov.uk/prc.asp?id=2782

Defra’s Soil strategy

The new Soil Strategy for England sets out an ambitious vision to improve the sustainable […]

STC and teachers on BBC’s Farming Today

To hear the interview click the link and go to 30/09/09 http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b006qj8q/episodes/player

Changes to Labelling and Other Requirements for Home and Garden Pesticides

http://www.pesticides.gov.uk/approvals.asp?id=2756

Herman Heinrich Baarda M.B.E dies age 73 on the 23rd September 2009

[download id=”8724″]

Organic farming practices key to saving our soils

The Soil Association [1] rejects the Government’s deeply unambitious new strategy to protect our soil. […]

PRC Annual Report

http://www.pesticides.gov.uk/prc.asp?id=2536

Products to be withdrawn from the market containing metam

http://www.pesticides.gov.uk/approvals.asp?id=2792

New partnership promotes responsible pesticide use

A new partnership to promote responsible pesticide use and water protection to farmers across England […]

NFU spray survey needs volunteers

The NFU is asking for volunteers to take part in a trial to prove that […]

New strategies to maintain autumn grass weed control in cereals and oilseed

RETHINKING herbicide strategies may be needed if effective and economic control of certain grass-weeds is […]

Good Natured Fruit ‘pesticide-free’ claims in doubt

Multi-million pound brand Good Natured Fruit is marketed in Asda and Sainsburys as ‘pesticide free’, […]

Organic firms harness the power of superfoods to boost flagging fortunes

The big names of the organic food and farming business are launching a bid to […]

England results from the Countryside 2007 Survey now available

The results of the biggest and most comprehensive survey of England’s countryside and its natural […]

EU biodiversity protection faltering, say auditors

The European Commission must do a better job to make sure that the nature projects it co-funds in member […]

Scotland farming for a better climate

A new action plan to help cut greenhouse gas emissions from across the agricultural sector […]

New computing tool could lead to better crops and pesticides say researchers

A new computing tool that could help scientists predict how plants will react to different […]

FSA GM engagement project chair announced

At the Agency open Board meeting, Tim Smith, Chief Executive of the Food Standards Agency, […]

Red Tractor Appoints New Chairman

Assured Food Standards (AFS), the organisation behind the Red Tractor logo, has appointed David Gregory […]

Efficacy Guidelines

The Efficacy guidelines contain information additional to the general guidance in the redrafted registration handbook […]

Government ditches waste charge plans after NFU Lobbying

Lobbying by the NFU has seen the Government abandon plans to charge farmers for registering […]

Revision of the new Application Forms

http://www.pesticides.gov.uk/approvals.asp?id=2788

Submission and assessment of zonal applications in the UK

Zonal re-registration has been developed to facilitate the evaluation of the large number of product […]

And now organic food is healthier: French study against UK’s

The French food agency AFSSA challenges UK’s FSA, concluding in a new study that organic […]

BBSRC Strategic Plan for 2010 -2015

BBSRC recently ran a consultation on the development of our new Strategic Plan 2010 – […]

Buglife’s report on Pesticides poisoning our Bees

Environmental organisations are calling for a UK neonicotinoid pesticide suspension. A comprehensive report released today […]

Organic farming: good for birds?

The latest research from the British Trust for Ornithology (BTO) sheds new light on the […]

Updated MRLs for:azoxystrobin, atrazine, chlormequat, cyprodinil, dithiocarbamates, fludioxonil, fluroxypyr, indoxacarb, mandipropamid, potassium tri-iodide, spirotetramat, tetraconazole, and thiram in or on certain products

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The Anaerobic Digestion website is launched

This site being administered for Defra /DECC by NNFCC is the centralized knowledge base for […]

PGRO Crop Bulletin 14

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Council of food policy advisors publishes first report

Out of hours telephone 020 7270 8960 Council of food policy advisors publishes first report […]

David Bellamy spearheads elm tree planting

Thousands of saplings taken from elms that survived the disease in the late 1960s and […]

Water resource constraints in 2050 – BCPC Congress tackles the issues head on

News Releases News Release Water resource constraints in 2050 – BCPC Congress tackles the issues […]

EU Decision paves way for Levy Board support of Red Tractor scheme

The news that the European Commission has granted State Aid approval of a promotional scheme […]

Spruzit approved for Organic use

Novel insecticide Spruzit (pyrethrin and rapeseed oil) can now be applied using horizontal boom-mounted sprayers. […]

Defra’s consultation on proposals to amend the Countryside and Rights of Way (CROW) Act 2000 for coastal land

The Marine and Coastal Access (MCA) Bill was introduced into Parliament in December 2008.  Part […]

River Water Quality indicator for sustainable development – 2008 results

The river water quality indicator is one of the 68 indicators of the Government’s Sustainable […]

Food Ethics – Autumn ’09: Waste: dishing the dirt

Wasting food is costly, damages the environment and, in a world where a billion people […]

Groundwork to create over 2,000 new jobs as part of Government’s Backing Young Britain campaign

Groundwork – one of the country’s leading providers of environmentally focused employment schemes – has […]

Estimating farm GHG emissions

(this also from Corey Watts) – The Australian Farm Institute has provided a farm GHG […]

Information sheets on Copenhagen

Climate Action Network Australia has prepared seven comprehensive summary sheets which help to clarify the […]

Agriculture and climate change: An agenda for negotiation in Copenhagen

The Sustainable Development Commissions (Scotland) has published a series of 6 guidance documents, for community […]

Nicotine Residues in Wild Mushrooms: Further Developments

Information Update 10/2009 advised that nicotine had been found in dried wild mushrooms at levels […]

LEAF farmers go back to school . . . virtually!

Farms are great places for learning. Farmers are great people to learn from. But all […]

2013 review of the Rural Payments Agency

News Release Ref: 202/09 Date: 2 September 2009Nobel House, 17 Smith Square, London SW1P 3JR […]

Read the NetRegs brand new guidance on how to keep and handle chemicals safely to prevent harmful spills.

Any chemicals you keep on your premises, including cleaning products, fertilisers and pesticides, glue, paint […]

One in four won’t renew stewardship agreements

Almost one in four English farmers are unlikely to renew environmental stewardship agreements when they […]

Local and regional food still in demand

Consumers still want to buy local and regional food, despite it being perceived as more […]

Relu Press Release – Adapting Rural Living and Land Use to Environmental Change: Call for Proposals

Adapting Rural Living and Land Use to Environmental Change: Call for Proposals The Relu Programme, […]

Nearly 20% of the UK’s Honey Bees Died Last Winter

More research vital to ensure the security and future of our principal economic pollinator Unacceptable […]

First £1 Million RDPE Investment Boosts Region’s Potato Supply Chain

York based Cockerills, which already supplies potatoes from growers in the region to two discount […]

Keeping Pesticides out of water Guidance booklet from the VI

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Dow AgroSciences Press Release 20 August 2009

Tank mix adds value to frit fly control [download id=”8692″]

Introduction of new application forms

http://www.pesticides.gov.uk/approvals.asp?id=2776

Regulatory Update: Products to be withdrawn from the market containing bifenthrin

http://www.pesticides.gov.uk/approvals.asp?id=2771

Guidance on Bulk Sales of Garden Pesticides

http://www.pesticides.gov.uk/approvals.asp?id=2775

EFFP predict food prices will remain high

The English Farming and Food Partnerships have predicted in their Retail Food Price Forecast which […]

Potato Council’s online “benchmark business model”.

Potato growers can now go on the internet to get business advice thanks to the […]

Views sought on european regulation on biocides

Views are being sought on European proposals for a revised regime for regulating the placing […]

Sustainable food is not cheap

http://www.neweconomics.org

EU EFSA consults on risks of pesticides to operators and bystanders

http://www.efsa.europa.eu/EFSA/efsa_locale-1178620753812_1211902785630.htm

Prof Ian Crute elected to BCPC Board

Prof Crute also recently appointed Chief Scientist for Levy Boards http://www.bcpc.org/publications/newsreleases/20090810.htm

The European Commission gives France extra time to repay

The French government now has until the end of September to repay it’s aid payments. […]

Farms Events Manager

An exciting opportunity is available at LEAF to run our very succesful Open Farm Sunday; […]

James Nichols

James Nichols, former Chairman of English Apples and Pears -the grower promotional organisation ans one […]

Responses so far to Defra’s sustainable food

Below are links to the responses made by Friends of the Earth, The NFU and […]

DG Environment newsletter – special issue on soil

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Defra radically rethinking food production

You will find the background papers to this news coverage by following this link http://www.defra.gov.uk/foodrin/security/

This is the further consultation from Defra on the Food debate Comments by 16 th October Lots more reading but trying to raise the conflicts There are lots of comments on the live feedback area

http://sandbox.defra.gov.uk/food2030/

Plant Clinic Service

STC are pleased to provide an independent diagnostic ‘Plant Clinic’ service (effectively a ‘one-stop’ shop) […]