Peusticides

“Arguments over whether widespread harm to bees had been proven or not missed the point of the EU regulations: ‘The principle of the regulation is that safe use must be demonstrated, not the other way around.’ With Efsa finding high risks to bees, … ‘There is no other choice for the commission than to act.'” https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2017/jun/22/tories-aim-block-full-eu-ban-bee-harming-pesticides

‘Precautionary’ means something wildly different from ‘conservative’.

Time to try some bee-friendly products?

Ethical Superstore

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Peak pesticide

“By comparing similar farms using high or low levels of pesticides, the scientists found that 94% of farms would lose no production if they cut pesticides and two-fifths of these would actually produce more. …
A recent consultancy report commissioned by the ECPA [European Crop Protection Association] indicated that French farmers would lose €2bn of grape production without access to certain pesticides.” https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2017/apr/06/farms-could-slash-pesticide-use-without-losses-research-reveals

The agrochemical industry insists it’s all or nothing with their pesticides; they won’t have farmers cherry-picking.

See wee seaweed seed

“This development will create opportunities to grow Scotland’s seaweed industry by providing clarity over where seaweed may be grown, along with what kinds of developments will be approved. …
‘“We are starting to see the growth in seaweed as a commercial product, used in a huge range of items including food, cosmetics and fertilisers.
‘We know the west coast of Scotland is the perfect environment for seaweed cultivation.'” https://news.gov.scot/news/building-a-commercial-seaweed-industry

The Scottish government is committed to development development, growth growth and a culture culture.

Golden Reyes

“That experience includes the endless promises and the repeated failures of the one ‘healthier’ GM crop that has been in development for nearly 20 years, Golden Rice, with enhanced Vitamin A levels. This was promised as an immediate cause for blindness in the late 1990s, but is still not working.” (https://www.soilassociation.org/news/2016/may/new-study-highlights-the-failure-of-an-ageing-gm-technology/)

It’s hard to see why.

Boondaggle

“15 countries have now told Brussels they will send territorial exclusion requests to the big agricultural multinationals including Monsanto, Dow, Syngenta and Pioneer. … Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wallonia will also be opting out on a regional basis. Wales has more recently opted out, making England the only country in the British Isles to allow GM crop cultivation.” (http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2015/oct/01/half-of-europe-opts-out-of-new-gm-crop-scheme)

Wretched countries must now seek permission from munificent agrochemical companies?

Avoid GM and all other synthetic nasties by using Green People health and beauty products – 100% natural and certified organic – Green People

Lactaste

“Some of [McGuire’s] recent research refutes claims that glyphosate, an herbicide often used on GM crops, accumulates in breast milk; it relies on an assay developed with assistance from Monsanto. Still, McGuire says, ‘I’m a milk-lactation researcher.'” (http://www.nature.com/news/gm-crop-opponents-expand-probe-into-ties-between-scientists-and-industry-1.18146)

Monsanto-funded development of glyphosate milk products has yet to find any market as few consumers rate weedkiller yoghurt drinks as dietary supplements.

Buffertlies

“Research published by Environmental Sciences Europe last year that showed pollen from GM maize could travel up to three km, one hundred times further than the 30 meters established by the EFSA [European Food Safety Authority] in 2011.” (http://uk.reuters.com/article/2015/07/02/us-eu-gmo-efsa-idUKKCN0PC22W20150702)

Since butterflies can travel further than 3km and therefore easily avoid the GM pollen, the 30m buffer zone is purely for one-legged beetles.

Over-inflated Pests

“A pioneering genetically modified (GM) wheat crop that emits an insect alarm pheromone to ward off pests has not worked in field trials. … Compared to a control crop of wheat, the GM crops showed no improved yields, no reduction in aphids and no increase in attacks by aphid predators (such as parasitic wasps and ladybirds). … Making the site secure added around £1.8 million (US$2.8 million) to the study’s research cost of £732,000.” (http://www.nature.com/news/gm-wheat-that-emits-pest-alarm-signals-fails-in-field-trials-1.17854)

Humans appear to be the only alarming pests here.

“‘Double-muscled’ pigs are made by disrupting, or editing, a single gene … and … the breed could be among the first genetically engineered animals to be approved for human consumption. … The pigs provide many of the double-muscled cow’s benefits — such as leaner meat and a higher yield of meat per animal. However, they also share some of its problems. Birthing difficulties result from the piglets’ large size, for instance. And only 13 of the 32 lived to 8 months old.” (http://www.nature.com/news/super-muscly-pigs-created-by-small-genetic-tweak-1.17874)

And here too the humans rather than the pigs seem to be the sentient monsters.

How about working with nature, instead of failing to trump it?

Nocoa

“The world is running out of chocolate. That’s because climate change and crippling poverty are driving Africa’s cocoa farmers to produce other crops. … In the next 40 years, the temperature in Ghana and Cote d’Ivoire, where 70% of cocoa is grown, is set to rise by 2C. That’s going to make it too hot and dry for cocoa trees.” (http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2015/jun/09/no-beer-chocolate-coffee-how-climate-change-ruin-your-weekend)

Climate Change will require serious adaptation. Cocoa plants need 20-30C, humidity and some shade. I am prepared to share my bath.

Meanwhile, though who knows for how long, fair trade and organic chocolate is available from Ethical Superstore.

Rhyming Cygnet

“A poison used on cropland to kill rodents also killed at least a handful of more than 2,000 snow geese that fell dead from the sky in Idaho.” (http://uk.reuters.com/article/2015/05/16/us-usa-geese-idaho-idUKKBN0O100S20150516)

So, how much is a handful of goose?
The eco-detective follows the clues…
Snow fell from the sky like a blanket of fleece.
But how much is a handful of geese?
A poison on crops saves farmers on cats;
A dead goose in the hand’s worth a bushel of rats.