OTA welcomes “historic rulemaking” that will protect against organic fraud
The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) today publishes a proposed new rule to strengthen protection against fraud in the organic supply chain.
New guide will help employers meet needs of vegans at work
The Vegan Society is issuing guidance to businesses to help them avoid direct or indirect discrimination to vegan employees.
Tribunal judge rules ethical veganism is ‘philosophical belief’
In a landmark legal case, a UK tribunal judge has ruled that ethical veganism qualifies as a ‘philosophical belief’ and therefore must be afforded special protections under equality law.
Lack of federal guidance on CBD ‘risks vaping-like health crisis’ – NPA
The Natural Products Association has warned that a continuing lack of federal guidance on the regulation of CBD products risks “another vaping-style health crisis”.
Organic GMOs – is this the future of sustainability?
The debate in Europe over the application of new genetic engineering techniques, and specifically gene editing techniques such as CRISPR, is intensifying. The research...
Change how we farm and eat to help fight climate change, IPCC report urges
A major new report on land use and climate change says that switching to more sustainable farming systems and diets will be vital in the fight against climate change.
Baby food brands accused of ‘encouraging sweet snacking’
Baby food manufacturers, including organic and ‘healthy’ brands, have been accused by a leading UK health agency of “encouraging sweet snacking”.
COSMOS reports 92% growth in certified products in 2018
Natural and organic cosmetics standards body COSMOS says that the number of its certified products has almost doubled, with a 92% increase during 2018.
COSMOS...
Dumb rules: NPA accuses US FDA of ‘regulatory mission creep’
Tensions between the Natural Products Association (NPA) and the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) continue as the group this month accuses the regulator of – once again – actions at odds with the Trump Administration’s stated commitment to cut business red tape.
US GMO labelling law: A troubling tale of smiley faces, glaring omissions and bio-washing
The Organic Trade Association says it is “deeply disappointed” in the US Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) final GMO labelling law, which was announced at the end of December.
OTA sets out 10 priority actions to safeguard organic integrity and preserve trust
US trade body the Organic Trade Association has has set out ten priority actions to safeguard organic integrity and preserve public trust.
‘Freebate’ model could revolutionise recycling, says WWF
A new study into ways of increasing the use of post-consumer recycled materials (PCR) recommends a ‘freebate’ model over material taxation schemes.
ECJ rules that controversial breeding techniques count as GMOs
Organic and anti-GM groups have welcomed today’s ‘unequivocal’ ruling by the European Court of Justice that a series of controversial new plant breeding techniques do fall under the scope of EU legislation on genetically modified organisms.
CAP must have bolder Green ambitions, says organic group
Europe’s lead organic group says that reform of the EU Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) must have much bolder Green ambitions.
Global contest launched to find world’s best agroecology policies
A global contest to find world’s best agroecology policies has been jointly launched by the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the World Future Council (WFC) and IFOAM – Organics International was launched last week at the 2nd International Symposium on Agroecology, held in Rome (6 April 2018).
