Agriculture in the national news - June 8

Banned GM maize sown in Germany

A genetically modified (GM) variety of maize banned in the EU has been sown accidentally across Germany.

The NK603 variety has been planted in seven states. The seed supplier, US firm Pioneer Hi-Bred, called the level of contamination “minute”.

BBC Online
http://tinyurl.com/2vkxcy2


HRH the Princess Royal opens National Seed Store at SCRI

Her Royal Highness, The Princess Royal, has officially opened Scotland’s National Seed Store at the Scottish Crop Research Institute (SCRI).

Hortweek
http://tinyurl.com/2upjrp4


World to fail in deep climate cuts this decade-UN

The world is set to fail to make deep enough cuts in greenhouse gases in the next decade to tackle global warming, the U.N.’s top climate official said on Monday in a bleak assessment of the prospects for a U.N. deal.

Despite his gloomy short-term outlook, Yvo de Boer, who will step down on July 1 after about four years in the job, expressed confidence governments would eventually enact sufficiently tough goals, such as an emissions cut by rich nations of 80 percent by 2050.

Reuters
http://tinyurl.com/33u83ot


Investment in biomass “set to be next global trend”

Large utilities are looking for the next global trend in renewables and biomass “looks set to be the new wind”, according to a mergers and acquisitions report from KPMG.

KMPG, which provides audit, tax and advisory services, published its annual survey of global renewable energy mergers and acquisitions (M&A)entitled Powering Ahead: 2010, late last month (May 20).

New Energy Focus
http://tinyurl.com/2usdrvy


Firefighters tackle blaze on farm in Cornwall
A fire has broken out at a farm in Cornwall.

Six fire engines from Truro, St Austell, St Dennis, Perranporth and St Mawes were called out to tackle the blaze in Probus, near Truro.

BBC Online
http://tinyurl.com/2w4dqnw


GM public consultation has ‘no credibility’ - say campaigners

Food campaigners are to boycott ongoing talks on GM, casting further doubt on a controversial Government review of the science.

The ‘public dialogue’ set up by Government quango the Food Standards Agency is already in disarray after the vice chairman resigned.

Professor Brian Wynne said the FSA was promoting GM ‘propaganda’ and incapable of carrying out an objective public consultation.

Daily Telegraph
http://tinyurl.com/2v2usdq


Ashley Jensen to be farmer girl

Ashley Jensen is to swap her heels for wellies when she returns to the UK for a new BBC drama, The Accidental Farmer.

The one-off show, due to be filmed in the summer, will feature the Scottish actress - who played Betty’s fashion confidante Christina McKinney in Ugly Betty - getting to grips with life on the farm after she inherits a farm in Yorkshire.

UKPA
http://tinyurl.com/2vzkphj

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