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Food News 2012
Food News 2012-2013
September 20, 2013
BEES in the news: If you would like to learn more about what is happening to bees, and why, here is a link to a very useful TED talk: http://video.ted.com/talk/podcast/2013G/None/MarlaSpivak_2013G-480p.mp4
Also,here's a statement about what's happening at the Canadian government level in response to the crisis-level loss of bees, excerpted from local farmer and food consultant David Cohlymeyer's newsletter:
At last, a Federal response to Bee mortality
"Health Canada's Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA) has finally made a statement: “Agricultural practices related to the use of neonicotinoid treated corn and soybean seed are affecting the environment due to their impacts on bees and other pollinators.”
Approximately 70% of the affected dead bee samples tested positive for residues of neonicotinoid insecticides. On the other hand, none of unaffected bees showed any neonicotinoids (with the exception of a very low level in one sample). One would think this would be sufficient evidence to take precautions and join European countries in banning use of these insecticides.
Unless we speak up, the PMRA will be doing nothing more in 2014 than:
- Requiring the use of safer dust-reducing seed flow lubricants;
- Requiring adherence to safer seed planting practices;
- Requiring new pesticide and seed package labels with enhanced warnings;
- Requiring updated value information be provided to support the continued need for neonicotinoid treatment on up to 100% of the corn seed and 50% of the soybean seed.
The upside? This is yet one more nail in the coffin of the GMO industry. Toxins are required to make their system work. Eventually the public will realize that this enormously expensive experiment has cost our governments and our environment dearly; while only benefiting a half-dozen multi-national corporations in developing a mere half-dozen crops. The farmers who have been forced to use these products in order to remain viable on their farms are but the pawns in this giant experiment. We must take care not to blame them. On the other hand, our governments need to provide these farmers with an exit strategy as generous as they provided for the corporations to enter this fiasco." David Cohlmeyer
You can sign a petition developed by Ontario beekeepers asking for a ban on neonicotinoids.
Read more in this bulletin from the Canadian Environmental Law Association, September 24 2013
March 27 2013:
Huge enemies settle their lawsuits, agree to collaborate on genetically modified seeds: Monsanto and Dupont
Click to enlarge
Leap into our HOP
Party to find out more!
February 29, 2012, at 7 pm
Join organic farmer Shane Eby in an intimate setting for an evening of visuals and conversation all about hops.
Click on poster for more information.
Darlene Wolnik
a crusader and researcher for farmers' markets, just sent this really heartening video about the resumption of a market in New Orleans after their big flood in 2005.
It's called "From disaster to dessert."