Spring weather has taken a toll on U.S. organic commodity producers, evidenced by a significant drop in overall corn and soybean production for 2019, according to a new report from Mercaris, the nation’s leading data and trading platform for organic and non-GMO markets. The fall 2019 Mercaris Organic Commodities Outlook predicts a 12 percent year-over-year […]
India’s prime minister Narendra Modi and his Bharatiya Janata Party returned to power last May with overwhelming support from across most of India. While his government faces many challenges including a currently faltering economy, the mandate it received provides an unparalleled opportunity to bring about historic reforms. High on the list of needed reform is […]
Yesterday, the US EPA is taking an important step in its regulatory review of paraquat—an herbicide used in agricultural and commercial settings only. The draft risk assessments are the product of an extensive evaluation of available data on the health and environmental impacts associated with the pesticide. The agency is seeking public input on draft human […]
Fertilizer prices dramatically increased last Spring. After anhydrous ammonia spent most of 2018 around $500 per ton, prices jumped to more than $600 per ton in early 2019. Prices remained mostly unchanged until late summer. This week’s post reviews the latest fertilizer price data. Lower Fertilizer Prices Figure 1 shows the average prices of anhydrous […]
India ranks number 1 in the world, with highest cultivated land of around 1,891,761 square kilometers. But in terms of total value of food produced, India is at the fourth spot. One of the major reasons behind this disparity is the low agrochemical consumption. In terms of total agrochemical consumption, India is at 10th place, […]
What are priority pests? The 20 pests on the list published by the European Commission in October 2019 are quarantine pests that have been identified as top priorities for EU Member States based on the severity of the economic, social and environmental problems they can cause. They include Xylella fastidiosa, the Japanese beetle, the Asian long-horned beetle, citrus greening and citrus black spot. Why […]
The European Commission has published a list of 20 “priority pests” that present the most serious economic, environmental and social threat to EU countries. The list includes Xylella fastidiosa, the Japanese beetle, the Asian long-horned beetle, citrus greening and citrus black spot. Member States will have to launch information campaigns to the public, do annual surveys, prepare contingency […]
MEPs opposed the EU Commission plans to authorise imports of products containing three glyphosate and glufosinate ammonium-resistant GMOs, in non-binding resolutions on Thursday. On Wednesday evening, MEPs also held a debate with the European Commission on the authorisation process for GMO imports, the shortcomings of which have been regularly pointed out by Parliament. These authorisations […]
COMMISSION IMPLEMENTING REGULATION (EU) 2019/1690 of 9 October 2019 renewing the approval of the active substance alpha-cypermethrin, as a candidate for substitution, in accordance with Regulation (EC) No 1107/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council concerning the placing of plant protection products on the market, and amending the Annex to Commission Implementing Regulation […]