EU to subject Ugandan agro-products to rigorous checks over fall armyworms

The European Union (EU) will start this June subject Uganda's agro-products to rigorous checks due to the fall armyworm, a senior government official has said. Steven Byantware, Commissioner for Crop Protection told a farmers' meeting that…

European-origin pathogen poses big threat to potato crop in India

A rapidly evolving pathogen from Europe may spell doom for India’s potato yield, an essential staple crop that also fetches good income to millions of farmers. Scientists at the West Bengal State University have found 19 unique and highly…

Potato Blight Trends in Europe: EuroBlight 2017 Results

The EuroBlight project is examining the ongoing evolution of the potato late blight pathogen (Phytophthora infestans). In 2017, almost 1500 samples from 16 countries in Europe were genotyped. The results indicate that new clones continue…

3,135 tonnes of pesticide used in Ireland in 2016

New data from the Irish Department of Agriculture reveals that 3,135 tonnes of pesticides were used in Ireland in 2016. Pesticide sprays include herbicides, fungicides, insecticides and other industrial chemicals. The 2016 data points to an…

UK ministers want temporary control of devolved areas post-Brexit

The UK government has named 24 devolved areas where it wants to temporarily retain power following Brexit. Ministers in the Scottish and Welsh governments want subjects such as food labelling and animal welfare to come under their control. However,…
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Australia approves field trial for RMIT University's GM buffalo grass

The Australian Office of the Gene Technology Regulator (OGTR) recently issued a licence in response to application DIR 156, authorising the limited and controlled release (field trial) of buffalo grass genetically modified (GM) for herbicide…

EU General Court annuls the decision on genetically modified soybean products

The General Court annuls the decision whereby the Commission rejected an application for review of the marketing authorisation granted to products containing genetically modified soybeans The effects of GMOs on human or animal health may…

China tariffs: it’s not only farmers who are upset, investors are too

Farmers aren't the only ones upset about the escalating trade tensions between the Trump administration and China. It turns out, investors weren't thrilled either. On Monday, China started tacking on tariffs on 128 U.S. products, a bulk of…

EU-wide protection plan set out to save at-risk bee populations

MEPs are to set out a Pan-European long-term survival strategy that involves potential bans on all harmful pesticides, tightening up checks to eliminate fake honey imports and promoting the health benefits of honey. The European political push…