We are urgently developing research requirements with other European laboratories to make sure we understand and the disease (Schmallenberg) better.Agriculture in the national news - February 9
A DAILY look at how agriculture has caught the headlines across the nation (Tuesday, February 9).
India awaits go-ahead on first GM crop despite scientists’ warnings
Indiawill decide tomorrow whether to approve its first genetically modified (GM) food crop. It is a move that supporters argue will help to avert a global food crisis but which critics say is being rushed through recklessly.
The new vegetable, an aubergine — or brinjal in Hindi — contains a toxic gene that poisons insect pests and will boost yields while reducing dependence on pesticides, its champions say.
It would also open up the world’s second most-populous nation to at least 56 other GM crops that are in the final stages of development.
Times Online
http://tinyurl.com/yjd2f25
Film review: Food Inc
THOSE contemplating a diet, or looking for something to give up for Lent, should watch Food Inc, where an investigation into the corruption of food production makes Super Size Me look like an episode of Christmas With Nigella.
Up for an Academy Award this year for best documentary, Robert Kenner’s investigation has never been more timely, as we comfort eat our way through the recession with cheap food.
The Scotsman
http://tinyurl.com/ydsnf45
New Zealanders overwhelmed by cow explosion as sheep plummet
For decades New Zealanders have been the butt of jokes about being outnumbered 20-to-1 by sheep.
But now they have a new animal to worry about, as figures reveal they’re now also outnumbered by cows.
Metro
http://tinyurl.com/yzdj57q
Self-milking cows on Taunton farm
A HERD of cows on a Taunton farm are now milking themselves – and no, it’s not an early April Fool.
The robotic milking system installed by James Read at Pyrland Farm also means the animals can choose when they are milked rather than being rounded up at specific times.
West Country News
http://tinyurl.com/ydy69gb
Missing: 98 t of toxic milk
CHINA is on the hunt for 98t of tainted milk powder after it emerged a dairy had accepted it as payment for a debt – and then reprocessed it into its own products and sold it on.
The evidence has emerged as China comes to the close of its ten day national crackdown on melamine-tainted milk products.
TCE Today
http://tinyurl.com/ycg24f7
Bayer to pay $1.5 mln in 2nd lawsuit over GM rice
Germany’s Bayer was ordered by a jury in the United States to pay $1.5 million in damages to three farmers for losses they incurred because of contaminations of Bayer’s genetically modified rice, the second in about 500 similar cases pending.
The jury’s ruling in a St. Louis court against Bayer’s CropScience division follows a related case in December, in which Bayer was ordered to pay $2 million, the chemicals - and drugmaker said on Friday after the close of trading in Germany.
Reuters
http://tinyurl.com/y86cawk
