NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL ORGANIC POLICY

* IFOAM PICKS ARBENZ AS NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR (FoodNavigator [newsletter@foodnavigator.com], 17-Mar-2009) The International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements (IFOAM) has announced the appointment of Markus Arbenz as its next executive director. Read more.

* PROGRESS IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF ARGENTINE ORGANIC AGRICULTURE PROJECT. Update on the Argentine Organic Agriculture Development Project (PRODAO) to pursue research, institutional strengthening, agro-industrial development, and aspects of primary production. Read more.

* ORGANIC PRODUCTIONS IN THE FALKLAND The Islands’ government is active in the promotion of the Islands’ organic products in the international markets. Read more.

NATIONAL NEWS

* INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON TRACEABILITY The event, organized by the World Animal Health Organization (OIE), prompts stricter Source: AGRICLIPPING [agriclipping@mcacomunicacion.com.ar]. Read more.

* THE ‘YERBA MATE’ TOURIST ROUTE This route is based on the country’s more emblematic agrifood product, the ‘yerba mate’. Read more.

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

* CHILE BETS ON ORGANIC WINE. Fifteen vineyards try to make Chile one of the most important organic wine producing countries of the World. Read more.

* CHILE: AGRICULTURE WILL GROW THIS YEAR. (Ámbito Financiero, Campo, Mar. 25, 2009) The Chilean agricultural GNP would grow between 1 and 2% this year prompted by the production of fruits and livestock. Read more.

* PRIVATE LABEL ORGANICS PERCEPTION ON THE RISE The introduction of high quality, store-brand organic products changed consumer perceptions of private label grocery brands. Read more.

* ANTI FRAUD INITIATIVE PRESENTS THEIR CODES IN BIOFACH By the end of February 2009, a total of 21 CBs had signed up to the CBs Code of Conduct. Read more

* PANASONIC DEVELOPS A SMALL ELECTRIC ORGANIC COMPOSTING MACHINE. Small, efficient but expensive. Read more.

* THE EU COMMISSION OPTS TO STOP MARKETING SOME PESTICIDES. According to the organization, 67% of the more than one thousand substances studied have not passed the European safety control. Read more.

* ECOLOGICAL ISLAND IN GREECE The island will be converted in the “first green island of the Aegeus”. Read more.

* ITALY: ORGANIC SCHOOL LUNCH EXPERIENCES Rome and Florence try ways to introduce organic products. Read more.

* ORGANIC ON-LINE SALES GROW. It is one of the preferred sales Systems in the whole country, says report. Read more.

* LASER LABEL FOR ORGANIC AVOCADOS. Australian producers develop a new technique for inviolable labeling. Read more.

* NATURAL BEAUTY SUMMIT HONES IN ON REGULATORY ISSUES The move aims to cut down on the estimated 80 percent of “organic” and “natural” cosmetic products do not comply with norms. Read more.

GMOs, HORMONES, CLONATION. NANOTECHNOLOGY AND UNACCEPTABLE TECHNIQUES, TECHNICAL NEWS

* GERMAN HEIFERS DIE DUE TO GM SOYBEAN. Rations had been elaborated with Argentine transgenic soybeans. Read more.

* BRAZILIAN RELUCTANCE OF TRANSGENIC SOYBEANS. Transgenic soybeans produced low yields. Read more.

* SCIENTISTS BLOCKED FROM RESEARCHING GM CROP IMPACTS Biotechnology companies are stopping scientists from researching GM crops, according to 26 specialists in corn pests. Read more.

* ORGANIZATIONS CLAMOUR FOR MORE THOROUGH GE CONTROLS A consortium of 82 organizations prompt more stringent evaluations of GM crops in the US and to delay new approvals. Read more.

* ADVANCES IN GROUP CERTIFICATION ISEAL presents common requirements for smallholder groups and their certifiers. Read more.

* DROUGHT THREATENS AMAZON CARBON SINK In some circumstances the rainforest can emit more carbon dioxide than it absorbs. Read more.

* FAO BELIEVES THAT THERE IS "LOW PROBABILITY" THAT LATIN AMERICA CAN FIGHT DEFORESTATION Clearing forests to free land for commodities production can surpass tree planning rates. Read more.

CONGRESSES, SEMINARS, MEETINGS, COURSES FAIRS AND EXHIBITIONS

* HONNEY: EXPO MACIÁ IN PARANÁ (ARGENTINA) Bee keeping value chain of alternative honney underlined. Read more.