ARGENCERT DIRECTOR’s CORNER

ARGENCERT NEWS

NEWS FROM CHILE

NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL ORGANIC POLICY

* THE OZONE LAYER IS RECUPERATING (Sent by: ECOticias.com / Red / Agencias, 17/09/2009)
The ozone layer will not reach its previous levels of the eighties’ until 2050. This notwithstanding, in the antartic area such levels will not be reached before 2060-2075. It is a ‘progressive but slow advance’, says the State
Metheorology Agency (AEMET) in the International Ozone Layer Preservation Day. The ozone hole of 2008 reached its maximum extension on September 12, with a surface area of 27 million square kilometers (slightly larger that the North American territory). This size is larger than the one of the preceding year, but still smaller that that of 2006, when it reached the largest area up to date, with 29 million sq.km. Read more.
Siurce: CONSUMER – EROSKI

* SARKOZY AND MERKEL ASK THE UN A "MOBILIZACIÓN" TO AVOID A FAILURE IN KOPENHAGEN. (ECOticias.com / Red / Agencias, 22/09/2009)
The request was sent to Ban Ki Moon, Secretary General of the UN in charge of negociations on climate change, that today takes special relevance in a meeting of Chief of States and Governments in New York. The meeting is previous to the General Assembly and is part of the various summits that will culminate next December in Kopenhagen trying to conceive the succesor of the Kyoto Protocol. Read more. http://www.ecoticias.com/co2/17461/Sarkozy-y-Merkel-piden-a-la-ONU-una-movilizacion-para-evitar-el-fracaso-en-Copenhague
FUENTE

NATIONAL NEWS

* SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE (SAGPyA): TRAINING OF ADVISORS IN BOVINE ORGANIC PRODUCTION.
Organized through the Argentine Organic Production Program (PRODAO). Read more.

* IN SWITZERLAND THEY PROMPT TO AVOID CONSUMPTION OF ARGENTINE AND BRAZILIAN FOODS.
Organic apples from Argentina pollute because it is said that they produce carbon dioxide emissions resulting from transportation to Switzerland. Read more.

* URBAN AGRICULTURE PROMOTED WITH ORGANIC VEGETABLES “ORGANOPONICALLY” CULTIVATED
Experiments in “organoponics”, an organic technique that use irrigated substrates. Read more.

* DEFORESTATION IN SALTA PROVINCE (ARGENTINA): THE SCHOOL OF AGRICULTURE ANALYZES IT
According to recent satudies with the use of satellites, in the last 30 years a total of 26% of the forests were cleared. Read more.

* ARGENTINA LOST CLOSE TO 70% OF ITS FORESTS IN THE LAST HUNDRED YEARS
The Government admitted today during a UN international meeting in Buenos Aires. Read more.

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

* EE UU MUST LEAD THE STRUGGLE AGAINST THE CLIMATE CHANGE WITHOUT WAITING FOR CHINA.
Both countries are reluctant to make clear commitments. Read more.

* SECRETARY VILSACK ANNOUNCES MILES McEVOY WILL SERVE AS DEPUTY ADMINISTRATOR OF NATIONAL ORGANIC PROGRAM
Vilsack also announced that the NOP will become an independent program area within AMS. Read more.

* JAIL FOR ORGANIC FOOD SCAM British food supplier sentenced to more than two years in jail for false description of its products as organic. Read more.

* UK: NFU CALLS FOR REVIEW OF INSECTICIDE EFFECT ON BEES
A report says neonicotinoids lower honeybee populations, but farmers want evidence. Read more.

* AUSTRALIA SAID TO LEAD IN PER CAPITA EMISSIONS
Australians are the major greenhouse gases producers in the World surpassing the USA and other countrires. Read more.

* SWEDEN FAVOR THE BIO SEAL
Starting 2012 only products whose production chain is totally sustainable will be able to use the seal. Read more.

* ‘ECOSOCIAL’ ORGANIC CERTIFICATION ARRIVES IN THE US First launched by Brazilian organic certification body IBD, requires producers to choose at least two ecological and two social goals and they must continuously improve on these goals to retain recognition. Read more.

* ELIMINATING LABELING FRAUD IN ORGANIC PERSONAL CARE PRODUCTS
The Organic Consumers Association happy with NOSB committee’s proposal that organic personal care products must be backed up by third-party certification to USDA standards. Read more.

* ORGANIC SALES GROWTH DOWN TO SEVEN PERCENT IN '09; "NATURAL" CLAIMS COMPETE
"Natural" products don't have to meet any special standards, so they can be marketed more cheaply. Read more.

* ‘NEUTRAL CLIMATE'
Malaga (Spain) University (UMA) has been the first Spanish institution to join the ‘Neutral Climate’ Project of the United Nations’ Environmental Program (UNEP). Read more.

* ECOLOGIC AND GREEN
Participants from 11 Mediterranean countries discuss about the present situation of this agricultural system and the future challenges. Read more.

* OCA PREPARES FOR ORGANIC PERSONAL CARE PRODUCTS BOYCOTT
If the USDA delays enforcement of organic standards in personal care, the OCA will boycott "cheater brands”. Read more.

* ECOTOURISM IN THE BOLIVIAN AMAZONIA
Indigenous peoples of the Bolivian Amazonia, manage their primeval forest lodge, local tour agencies and other economic activities like coffee and cacao production and marketing projects. Read more.

* MÉXICO. SITUATION OF ORGANIC AGRICULTURE
Statistical data about the present situation of organics in Mexico. Read more.

* WALES, UK: THE NATIONAL BOTANIC GARDEN AND THE CHAIN OF ORGANIC MEATS.
They integrate a complete chain from production in the garden to sales to visitors. Read more.

* POLAND, “MISSION: BIODIVERSITY” – First International Conference on Old Races.
It will center in the respect of biodiversity in organic agriculture and matters linked to the various antique species and varieties of plants and animals with risks for their subsistence. Read more.

* BRAZIL: LULA AANOUNCED A PLAN THAT PROHIBITS CULTIVATION OF SUGAR CANE IN AMAZONIA Bill sent to Congress prohibiting the cultivation of sugar cane and ethanol production plants in 81.5% of the whole Brazilian territory. Read more.

GMOS, hormones, nanotechnology, and not accepted Technologies

* CANADA DROPS WTO COMPLAINT ON EU BIOTECH RULES
Ottawa may suggest that it is prepared to consider approving GMO products on a case-by-case basis. Read more.

* UK TO EXPLORE CONSUMER VIEWS ON GM FOOD The UK Food Standards Agency (FSA) has announced the formation of an independent steering group to engage with consumers over genetic modification. Read more.

* PERÚ: INVESTIGATE ILLEGAL ENTRANCE OF TRANSGENICS. In 30 days the Sectorial Regulation for Food Biosafety will be promulgated, normatizing the entrance, control and fiscalization of GMOs in the country. Read more.

* JUDGE RULES AGAINST MONSANTO’S GM SUGAR BEETS A federal judge ruled that the USDA failed to adequately assess the environmental impact of Monsanto’s genetically modified (GM) sugar beets before introducing them into the food supply. Read more.

* GMO RISK ASSESSMENT MUST BE TRANSPARENT A two-day conference by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), aimed to share knowledge on risk assessment and exchange views with the Member States, stakeholders and other participants. Read more.

TECHNICAL NEWS

* USDA SEEKS TO DEFINE ‘NATURAL ’The FSIS is seeking comments on whether it should establish a definition for the word ‘natural’. Read more.

* FRANCE REMINDS WHAT ‘NATURAL’ MEANS. The French department responsible for tackling fraud declared how the term ‘natural’ should be used on food products and how it should not. Read more.

* HIGH BEE MORTALITY WORRIES THOUSANDS OF BEEKEEPRS IN THE WHOLE WORLD.
Some 500 researchers that met in the “World summit APIMONDIA 2009” in Montpellier (south of Francia), mentioned a number of causes, among them, pesticides, virus, climate change and intensive agriculture. Read more.

EXHIBITIONS, CONGRESSES, COURSES

* Alimentaria Mercosur - Buenos Aires - 29 September - 01 October de 2009
8th International Business Round on Foods, Organic Products and Poultry Meat. Read more.

* U.N. ON-LINE COURSE: “Successful Organic Production and Export” – November 2-27, 2009.
Capacity building course on organic production and exports. Read more.

* IVth COURSE ON FOOD AND WINE TOURISM ROUTES - Agriculture School, University of Buenos Aires - 19/20/21 October 2009. Read more.
The objective is to obtain knowhow and tools to add value to the emblematic foods of the different regions through the development of a tourist Agribusiness. Read more.

* II WORKSHOP COURSE ON COMMUNITARY TOURISM - An Alternative for Economic and Social Development.
Experiencies and lessons from communities that developed tourism as a social and economic development alternative in Argentina, Colombia, Ecuador and México. Read more.

* TRAINING OF CONSULTANTS IN ORGANIC BOVINE PRODUCTION.
Within the Project for the Development of the Argentine Organic Agriculture (PRODAO) and divided in two stages: one will be a virtual training and the other will be presencial. Read more.

* FIRST “MUNDUS VINI BIOFACH INTERNATIONAL ORGANIC WINE” AWARD (http://www.organicwellnessnews.com/2009/09/wine-award/ Sep. 21, 2009) Around 700 wines expected to enter the competition for BioFach 2010 next February 17-20. Read more.