Woolworths will continue to roll out its Thomas Dux Grocer stores in New South Wales and Victoria with its agreement to acquire up to nine store leases from Macro Wholefoods.

A pesticide banned in more than 50 countries but still used widely in Australia has been implicated in the chronic deformities and deaths of thousands of fish in the Noosa River in recent months.

European Parliament members voted to ban some of the most toxic and dangerous pesticides to human health.

Subdued approval greeted President-elect Obama's choice of Tom Vilsack for Secretary of Agriculture last week.

The pick that offers the most insight into where Obama will lead the country is his selection the most misunderstood position in the Cabinet: secretary of Agriculture.

It reads like a "who's who" of Australia's top food experts. Over 50 of our most respected chefs have signed their names to a charter opposing GM food.

A new study by Newcastle University proves that organic farmers who let their cows graze as nature intended are producing better quality milk.

The Darjeeling Tea Association (DTA) has mounted efforts to increase the production of organic tea so that the majority of the champagne of teas is organically produced by 2010.

It seems like a Willy Wonka fantasy, but right now food companies are using nanotechnology to create all sorts of bizarre products.

The federal government will put funds toward development of a national sector organization, the Organic Federation of Canada, to bring together all players in Canada's organic industry, raise awareness of the sector and help with regulatory development.

Genetically modified crops got the thumbs up from the NSW and Victorian governments last week.

The Victorian and New South Wales governments have become the first in Australia to allow farmers to grow genetically-modified (GM) food crops.

An unimpeachably neutral group has joined the ranks of those who prefer organic foods over foods produced with the help of synthetic chemicals.

The award winner Benromach organic speyside single malt whisky is also the first bottled single malt to be fully certified by the Soil Association.

Standards Australia is to develop Australia’s first national domestic organic standard that has widespread industry, consumer and government support.

Re-thinking lawn care with organic methods produces desired results.

USDA Advisory Panel Vote Applauded

In an emerging market such as South Africa the move to organic production is usually a economic rather than an ideologically-driven decision.

A nitrogen isotype test can potentially be used to indicate use of synthetic fertilizers and thus be used to provide evidence against fraudulent organic food claims.

The Soil and Health Association is pleased that efforts to have organic bread exempted from mandatory fortification with folic acid appear to be successful.

Europhiles and Eurosceptics can argue until the cows come home about whether membership of the EU brings more benefits or disadvantages.

Last year, the US and the EU's western countries accounted for 96 percent of world sales of organic products. Eastern European countries, however, are increasingly discovering the benefits of organics.

Whole Foods Market, Inc. (WFMI) and Wild Oats Markets (OATS) have today announced they have signed a definitive merger agreement under which Whole Foods Market will acquire Wild Oats Markets’ outstanding common stock in a cash tender offer of $18.50 per share, or approximately $565 million based on fully diluted shares.

The Cornucopia Institute informed the USDA of their intention to file suit accusing the agency of ignoring the organic regulations, and the intent of Congress, by their failure to enforce the law.

Tracy Miedema begins her appointment to the U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Organic Standards Board.

The hens have had human genes added to their DNA, which means human proteins are secreted into the whites of their eggs.

What color is your bamboo shoot ?

America's biggest company is also the world's biggest purchaser of organic cotton.

New regulations to protect Canadian consumers and support growth of organic products industry

The ACCC has called on food and beverage manufacturers to curb their use of potentially misleading labels when marketing goods to customers.

Blair: The future agriculture for this Country is more likely to be in organic niche farming.

FAO shows interest in exploring the potential of organic agriculture for food security

The reintroduction of a controversial pesticide to control malaria has drawn sharp reactions from many quarters but there could be more to the issue than meets the eye.

The US government is prepared to fund the spraying of DDT to control malaria.

WHO promotes indoor spraying with insecticides as one of three main interventions to fight malaria

A genetically modified form of a grass is worrying the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) enough that it is running its first full environmental impact assessment of a GM plant.

America's biggest company is also the world's biggest purchaser of organic cotton.

Farmers in Nthabiseng have made a significant achievement in overcoming child malnutrition.

Supermarket chains launch less expensive brands to capture growing organic foods market.

It pounded supermarket chains by selling groceries cheaper than anyone else, now the discount leader wants the organic niche.

He made millions from selling organic food to well-heeled Americans. Now hippie entrepreneur John Mackey plans to bring his laid-back style to Britain's upmarket high streets.

Karen Wang Qiong's bid to raise money in London is built on a mountain of minerals and China's aim to be self-sufficient in food.

The international organic community converged on Adelaide, Australia from September 20 - 23 for the 15th International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements (IFOAM) Organic World Congress with the theme of Shaping Sustainable Systems.

Uganda has the biggest number of organic farmers in Africa, a report released by Advocates Coalition for Development and Environment, has said.

IFOAM is pleased to announce the approval of the Italian Organic Standards, the first regional organic standards in IFOAM’s Family of Standards that have been reviewed and approved as being consistent with the IFOAM Basic Standards.

The Australian organic sector has united behind its peak industry organisation the Organic Federation of Australia (OFA), stated Andre Leu, chair of the OFA.

The organic rules relate to a stretch of activities from producing organic farm inputs to storage and marketing.

Organic farming, the systematic conversion of land to certified practices that ensure food safety and security from the farm to the table, a comprehensive and fully traceable system, is developing rapidly throughout the world.

Nancy Hughes envisions San Diego as America's first edible city. Those of us with no palate for stucco may find that hard to swallow. But there it is, the incredible edible city.

Rats fed on a diet rich in genetically modified corn developed abnormalities to internal organs and changes to their blood, raising fears that human health could be affected by eating GM food.

The celebration each year of the International Day for Biological Diversity is an occasion to reflect on our responsibility to safeguard this precious heritage for future generations. The 2005 theme is: Life Insurance for our Changing World.

Consumers International has accused Australia of playing double standards at the 33rd Session of the Codex Committee on Food Labelling, which aims to set an international standard for labelling genetically modified (GM) food and food ingredients.

European agriculture is under threat as the quality of soil worsens, particularly in eastern states.

Thirty years after hostilities ended between the US and Vietnam, relations remain strained by one of America's most notorious actions, the use of the chemical Agent Orange.

Food Sovereignty is the right of peoples, communities, and countries to define their own agricultural, pastoral, labour, fishing, food and land policies which are ecologically, socially, economically and culturally appropriate to their unique circumstances. It includes the true right to food and to produce food, which means that all people have the right to safe, nutritious and culturally appropriate food and to food-producing resources and the ability to sustain themselves and their societies.

The crops are not genetically modified but are developed by selective breeding, the seeds can be saved and shared by even the poorest farmers.

Eight out of ten South Africans have no knowledge about biotechnology and well over half have never even heard of the term before.

With 86 percent of the country below the poverty line, the southern African nation of Zambia seems an unlikely candidate to face down the United States - and corporate giant Monsanto - over genetically modified seeds.

Sixty percent of earth's ecosystems are being degraded or used unsustainably. (The Millennium Ecosystem Assessment Synthesis Report).

In an effort to promote organic farming practices, the Agricultural and Processed Food Exports Development Authority (Apeda) is planning to introduce group certification for the benefit of small farmers.

A decision in an obscure Department of Agriculture committee has drawn a line in the mulch in the debate over organic agriculture.

The Brazilian parliament has passed legislation allowing stem cell research and the planting and sale of genetically modified crops.

Environmental lobby group Biowatch South Africa scored a victory today when the Department of Agriculture was ordered to reveal details about Genetically Modified crops grown locally or brought into the country.

World Conservation Union votes not to release GM until proven safe, will South Africa modify its pro-GM stance?

West Australian political and farm leaders have received an open letter from 21 Japanese consumer organisations and many high profile individuals requesting that WA remain GMO-free.

Monsanto, the US agro-chemical company, is to pay Dollars 1.5m in penalties to the US government over a bribe paid in Indonesia in a bid to bypass controls on the screening of new genetically modified cotton crops.

Concerns have been raised about genetically modified (GM) cottonseed oil being included in food products in Australia.

CORE Organic is a new European initiative to enhance quality, relevance and resource utilisation in organic food and farming research. The initiative comprises 11 European countries supported by the EU-commission.

A new report written by staff from English Nature and the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds reviewed 76 studies and found that there is more wildlife on organic farms than on conventional farms.

Meagre subsidies, lack of interest and other obstacles kept organicproduction in Greece small compared with ther European countries. However, inrecent years impressive progress has been made to encourage both farmers and consumers to switch to naturally-grown foods.

Most people will squirm at the sight of worms, but one scientist thinks nothing about grabbing a handful of the wriggling creatures. She is on a crusade to clear the bad reputation of worms.

Three-time X Games gold medalist Bob Burnquist has won every award skateboarders covet. But while the super huge mega-ramp creates death-defying drops, what really excites Burnquist is a lot safer organic food.

The traditional variety responded well to organic nutrition and time-tested indigenous farming methods.

It may well be dangerous - and it is about to enter our food chain.

The European Union is funding a new 18M Euro Integrated Project QUALITY LOW INPUT FOOD that aims to improve quality, ensure safety and improve productivity along the European organic and other low input food supply chains.

The Vietnam War ended in 1975, but the scourge of dioxin contamination from a herbicide known as Agent Orange did not.

Population effects of growth hormone transgenic coho salmon depend on food availability and genotype by environment interactions.

The plan aims to facilitate the ongoing development of organic farming in the EU through 21 concreted policy measures.

Use of chemical fertilizers reduced by eleven-fold and pesticides by twelve-fold in the period 1989 to 2003.

The Green Party campaigns for people to use their consumer and voting power to insist on their rights to know what is in the food we eat and to make changes to our food supply so that all food on sale in New Zealand is SAFE.

The Bush administration reversed itself Wednesday and withdrew four changes in organic food standards that critics had said threatened to undermine public trust in the word organic.

If you want the pick of the crop next season, start planning now.

The Bush administration is giving Americans new reason to watch what they eat.

US government to have direct input into Australian laws and policies on quarantine and technical standards, including labelling of GE food.

On May 17, 2004, the first-ever legally binding international treaty to control toxic chemicals - the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) enters into force, providing an unprecedented legal framework to ban or severely restrict the production and use of the some of the worlds most toxic chemicals.

Only a few countries are benefiting so far - food crops of the poor need more attention.

The dogma of profit led to GM crops, it could spell global disaster.

Land contaminated with toxic pesticide DDT could be cleaned up using small amounts of seaweed, according to research published in the Journal of Chemical Technology and Biotechnology.

The US biotechnology company Monsanto has abandoned its plans to introduce genetically modified wheat to the world market despite spending seven years and hundreds of millions of dollars developing the crop.

Other biotech food crops continue to edge closer to commercialization, whilst Monsanto shelves its plans for Genetically Modified Wheat.

Many U.S. residents carry toxic pesticides in their bodies above government assessed acceptable levels.

By 2005, Agriculture Canada estimates the organic market will be worth more than $3 billion in Canada alone, and will compose more than 10 per cent of the overall food market by 2010.

Delaware North chefs at national parks, airports and stadiums will offer more sustainable summer menu items as part of a company-wide environmental initiative.

The NSW government has ruled out a 3,000ha trial of genetically modified (GM) canola but will go ahead with three smaller research trials.

The Historic Town of Oamaru is becoming the showcase for New Zealands organic industry.

The Koto Protocol became legally binding on its 128 Parties on 16th February 2005.

Kim Wilde swapped rock and roll for well prepared soil.

A prominent pesticide campaigner has told the Government that the cost to the economy and society as a whole from the use of pesticides could be running into billions.

New Zealands National Organic Standard, was launched on 4th November 2003, underpinning the various certification schemes that already exist for organic producers.

The publication of the results of the Farm Scale Evaluations (FSEs) in a journal of the Royal Society, reveals significant differences in the effect on biodiversity when managing genetically modified herbicide-tolerant (GMHT) crops as compared to conventional crops.

Controversial billboards portraying a naked woman with four breasts, attached to a milking machine, are going up in Auckland and Wellington, New Zealand, today to provoke a debate about the ethics of genetic modification.

The people of Britain have spoken out against Genetically Modified Foods, in a massive survey to test public opinion, with 9 out of every 10 people surveyed against GM.

Denmark has imposed widespread bans on the spraying of glyphosate in response to research showing that the sprays have been contaminating the countrys groundwater.

The Cartagena Protocol sets out the first international legal framework for the cross-border movement of GMOs on the basis of the precautionary principle.

The EU has rejected a bid by upper Austria to ban GM crops, in an attempt to protect traditional and organic farming.

Countries from around the world have resolved to cooperate more closely in order to develop a better framework for the sustainable development of the worlds aquaculture sector.

ANSI will conduct a peer assessment of the procedures and practices of the USDA National Organic Program. The program will be assessed using the ISO.IEC Guide 61, General Requirements for Assessment and Accreditation of Certification and Registration Bodies.

The commercial growing of genetically modified crops would bring little short-term benefit to the British economy, a government report is expected to say on Friday.

The European Parliament has passed legislation to enforce labelling of all foods that contain genetically modified ingredients.

The EU dismisses the USAs decision to take the GMO (Genetically Modified Organisms) issue to World Trade Organisation dispute settlement as legally misguided, economically unfounded and politically unhelpful.

Palau has become the 50th country to ratify the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety, starting a 90-day countdown to the agreement’s entry into force on 11th of September 2003.

The EU takes its legal stance on genetically modified food, setting the example for all countries to have the right to decide whether they choose to import GM foods.

The Jamaica Organic Agriculture Movement initiates research into organic farming, funded by the Canadian Jamaica Green Fund.

Cubas traditional campesinos gain international organic certification and market to the world.

The US announced this week their intention to request WTO consultations on the EUs authorisation system for genetically modified organisms (GMOs). The European Commission regrets this move as legally unwarranted, economically unfounded and politically unhelpful.

Experienced insight into the factors to consider when attempting to gain certification for an organic restaurant, from those that have taken the challenge.

The Commission April 2003 session marks its first formal meeting since the 2002 World Summit on Sustainable Development in South Africa. The Commission will focus on its own future work in translating into reality the commitments to economic growth, social development and environmental protection, made at that landmark conference.

Britain to decide on the use of GM technology by the latter part of 2003. A February survey shows majority opposition by the public.

Premier Bob Carr announces the ban on the production of GM food crops (such as canola, clover, mustard and field peas) until 2006 in New South Wales, Australias most populous state.

New evidence suggests that insects are thriving on the (Bt) pesticide that is engineered into Genetically Modified crops.

The Journal of Agriculture study shows that pesticide free foods contain more phytochemicals.

Biofach is a global organics trade fair held each year in Nuremberg. Industry group Organics Product Exporters of New Zealand (OPENZ) has coordinated a New Zealand-branded stand there for the last five years, with support from Trade New Zealand.

The New South Wales government has adopted a plan recommended by the Wentworth Group to set best practices for sustainable agriculture.

Chinas largest organic livestock farm and food processing base has been set up recently on west Chinas Qinghai-Tibet Plateau.The farm and food processing base, certified by the State Environmental Protection Administration, covers 2372 square kilometers.

Summit Organica was hosted by food writer and organic food advocate Sherry Clewlow and Tamar Valley Restauranteur Daniel Alps. Hear the radio interview by David Iliffe.

The Historic Town of Oamaru is becoming the showcase for New Zealands organic industry.

Organic health food is trendy, but almost all of the countrys organic products are destined for foreign markets. How can farmers convince Egyptian shoppers that those more pricey chemical-free veggies are the right choice?

Monkeys and Chimpanzees at Copenhagens Zoo choose organic fruit over conventional when given the choice, the zoo aims for 33% organic feed by 2005.

Kailis Organic Olive Groves, in Western Australia, intends to establish the the largest organic olive grove in the world.

Europe, Zambia, India, China reject shipments of American produce that has been genetically modified.

The True Food Guide informs shoppers of what they are eating and prompts manufacturers to rethink what they are putting in our foods.

A New Zealand family reflect on their 30 year experience on turning a farmstead into a dream. Their 450ha  Shelly Beack Park Farms is now an organic farming showcase.

The policy dilemma confronting Zambia over whether or not to accept genetically-modified maize, offered as food aid by the United States, has thrown up urgent questions over the way and the extent to which the debate over the issue has been allowed in the country.

Decades after the U.S. dusted Vietnam with herbicides, scientists and civilians tally the damage.

PCBs drenched Alabama town, but no one was ever told.

Twenty international scientists have signed an unprecedented memorandum supporting the controversial findings of suppressed research which found that rats fed on genetically modified potatoes suffered a weakened immune system and damage to vital organs.

The general use of the pesticide DDT will no longer be legal in the United States after today, ending nearly three decades of application.