Oct 4, 2022
With the hope that yields will increase in the face of the worst drought in 40 years, Kenya has lifted a ban on cultivating and importing GMO corn. In November 2012, the country prohibited the open cultivation and importing of food crops and animal feed produced through biotech innovations, but approved use of a GMO cotton resistant to African bollworm in 2019.
Sep 29, 2022
The US Food and Drug Administration has proposed changes to what counts as ‘healthy’ when the term is used on food labels. The proposal requires that food products contain a certain amount of food from at least one of the food groups or subgroups recommended by the Dietary Guidelines, 2020-2025 and limits certain nutrients, including saturated fat, sodium, and added sugars. Comment on the proposal until December 28, 2022.
Sep 26, 2022
India’s largest organic cotton-growing state released two new organic cotton varieties September 8. Developed through a decentralized organic participatory breeding program, the new high-yield organic cotton varieties will beet industrial fiber quality requirements and have been bred to minimize cross-pollination with GMO cotton.
Sep 15, 2022
On September 15, the USDA announced the FY 2023 (Oct 1, 2022-Sept 30, 2023) in-quota quantity for the specialty sugar quota under which organic sugar is imported into the United States. Imports of specialty sugar are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis through tranches. The four organic-exclusive tranches are as followings: 60,000 metric tons will open on October 10, 2022; 50,000 metrics tons will open on January 20, 2023; 40,000 metrics tons will open on April 14, 2023; and 40,000 metrics tons will open on July 14, 2023.
Sep 13, 2022
At 3.5% of the global market, organic food sales in Italy hit 5 billion euros in 2022. Compared to the same period (July and August) in 2021, sales of organic products in specialty stores are down 8% in 2022, even as direct sales are up 5%. Out-of-home consumption, up 53% over 2021, is driving change even as at home use fell 0.8%.
Sep 13, 2022
The European Parliament voted to support a proposal to prevent the production of certain products that have been sourced from land that was deforested after 2019. The proposal list includes cattle, cocoa, coffee, palm oil, soy, wood, and products that contain these commodities, and parliament members included pork, sheep and goats, poultry, corn, rubber, charcoal and printed paper products. In addition, parliament strengthened provisions for due diligence.
Sep 8, 2022
Labelling and certification schemes for Indigenous Peoples' foods – Generating income while protecting and promoting Indigenous Peoples’ values, a new review from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, looks at examples of innovative labeling programs implemented by Indigenous Peoples and practitioners in Africa, Asia, Central and South America and Oceania. They include territorial labels, geographical indications (GI), and participatory guarantee schemes (PGS), among others.
Sep 2, 2022
New Zealand will spend NZ$26.1 million over the next seven years to better understand regenerative farming, including soil biodiversity, pasture performance, quality of the food, animal production, and more.
Sep 2, 2022
The first client in the Woolworth New Zealand’s wholesale agreement is organic grocer Huckleberry. Although the Woolworth New Zealand wholesale business is separate from its Countdown supermarket chain, the government is concerned about the lack of competition in the supermarket sector. As a result, a watchdog agency will oversee the duopoly.
Aug 9, 2022
The 2022 Organic Livestock and Poultry Practice Standard (OLPS) Proposed Rule has been officially published in the Federal Register with a comment deadline of October 11. The National Organic Program (NOP) will also be hosting a virtual listening session on Friday, August 19. Individuals that would like to present oral comments must use a form to sign up and submit the request by August 15. The session is two hours and each commenter is provided a 3-minute speaking slot. Slots will fill up fast! Registration is not required to listen to the session, as it is open to all.
Aug 4, 2022
Food high in saturated fat, sugars or sodium will have to comply with requirements for a front of package symbol under new labeling rules in Canada that come into force January 2026. In a separate regulation, foods and beverages supplemented with vitamins, minerals or caffeine will have new labeling standards. Added ingredients must be on a list of permitted supplemental ingredients, and products must be on a list of permitted supplemented food categories. Products on the market now have until December 31, 2025 to comply
Aug 1, 2022
Thailand’s national food labeling rules will require food manufacturers to declare the use of genetically modified ingredients. ‘Genetically modified’ must be declared alongside the food name on the label if the product contains only one ingredient; multiple-ingredient products must also clearly declare the GMO status alongside each ingredient. In addition, declaring that foods are GMO-free will no longer be allowed. Some exceptions to the requirements exist for small producers with direct sales, those who can prove that no GM ingredients are used in production, products that can prove no genetically modified proteins or components remain in the final product, and genetically modified proteins used as an aid for manufacturing. The regulations are expected to be enforced beginning in October 2022.
Jul 29, 2022
As part of an effort to slash carbon emissions by 51 percent by 2030, Ireland is asking the agriculture sector to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 25 percent. Farmer participation is voluntary, and will include incentives. The agriculture sector is responsible for 37 percent of the country’s greenhouse gas emissions. Other cuts include 50 percent reduction in transportation emissions and 40 percent reduction from commercial and public buildings.
Jul 27, 2022
In order to improve food safety, Indonesia has enacted new regulations to better control heavy metal contamination especially in processed foods. The new, more rigorous regulations will be enforced in 2023. Imported products will be subject to the new standards, and will have to be tested by accredited laboratories.
Jul 11, 2022
Since 2016, China has seen 78 boycotts of foreign companies—six times the amount in the eight years prior, according to research by the Swedish National China Center. Companies from the US, Japan and France were most frequently targeted. Products with local Chinese alternatives, food and beverages, luxury goods, and automotive, were the most boycotted. The researchers found evidence that a third of the boycotts had state support.
Jul 5, 2022
Updates to Norway’s organic agriculture regulations make changes to the scope of products covered, procedures for product registration, notification requirements, and import procedures. Imports from third countries must come from the approved third country and regulatory authorities. Importers must inform the Norwegian Food Safety Authority no later than one working day before arrival.
Jul 5, 2022
Updates to Norway’s organic agriculture regulations make changes to the scope of products covered, procedures for product registration, notification requirements, and import procedures. Imports from third countries must come from the approved third country and regulatory authorities. Importers must inform the Norwegian Food Safety Authority no later than one working day before arrival.
Jul 4, 2022
With all its seaports blocked and bridges damaged in the war, Ukraine is shipping more of its organic exports by rail and river vessels. New trade routes send more products through Romania, Poland and Lithuania. Due to proximity, Europe has become an even more important trading company for the embattled country. On the farm side, 30 percent of certified organic land in Ukraine is either occupied or mined, reports the Ukrainian Ministry o f Agrarian Policy and Food. Nevertheless, 99 percent of the sowing campaign in 2022 is complete.
Jul 4, 2022
With all its seaports blocked and bridges damaged in the war, Ukraine is shipping more of its organic exports by rail and river vessels. New trade routes send more products through Romania, Poland and Lithuania. Due to proximity, Europe has become an even more important trading company for the embattled country. On the farm side, 30 percent of certified organic land in Ukraine is either occupied or mined, reports the Ukrainian Ministry o f Agrarian Policy and Food. Nevertheless, 99 percent of the sowing campaign in 2022 is complete.
Jun 22, 2022
New rules proposed by the European Commission would require fall farmers and professional pesticide users to practice integrated pest management, as well as banning all pesticides in sensitive areas, including urban green areas. The move is part of proposed legally binding targets to reduce pesticide use and risk by 50 percent by 2030.
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