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Portugal prays for rain as drought adds to crisis

Posted by Flora Sawita Labels: Drought, Euorope, Portugal, Rain

After Portugal's driest February in 80 years, farmers are praying for a miracle as drought ravages pastures and sparks forest fires, exacerbating the country's economic crisis.

Worse still, official forecasters expect the freak weather pattern to prevail at least through the end of March, which would worsen a drought now classified as severe and extreme throughout mainland Portugal.

Aside from the yet-unassessed impact on trade and GDP, the situation is likely to further strain limited financial resources just as Portugal is cutting spending to meet the tough terms of its 78-billion euro bailout from the European Union and International Monetary Fund.

The country's last major drought in 2005 cost the country almost 300 million euros ($400 million).

In the parched southern Alentejo region - the country's poorest - villagers in several places are already holding Novenas, acts of religious devotion at which prayers are recited and sung for nine nights in a row to obtain divine intervention.

Pedro Mestre, a teacher in the village of Sete, is one of those who have been praying and singing the Novena alongside local farmers.

"Dry, cold weather at night and heat during the day destroy the crops - grain, tomatoes, vines, orchards.

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Europe worried over spread of Bt cotton in India

Posted by Flora Sawita Labels: Biotech and Genetics, Cotton, Euorope, Genetically Modified (GM) crops, India

India has made rapid strides in cotton production ever since adopting the genetically modified technology 10 years ago. It has also helped the country emerge as a key supplier of the natural fibre to the global market, especially China.

However, the large-scale adoption of genetically modified technology is causing concern to other nations, especially in Europe. This, in turn, could begin to hurt exports of other agricultural products exports, especially ones that are organic and non-genetically modified.

According to available statistics, India exported about 300 organic products fetching Rs 1,960 crore in 2011. In contrast, it shipped out 66 lakh bales (170 kg each) of cotton earning over Rs 15,500 crore. This year, it is projected to export 80 lakh bales and it could end up earning foreign exchange of about Rs 14,000 crore.

Of the nearly 12 million hectares brought under cotton this year, nearly 95 per cent grew Bt cotton.

The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (Apeda) has fixed a target of touching Rs 5,000 crore in organic products exports by 2015.

“We in Europe, particularly Germany, are worried over the spread of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in India. Your Government has to deal with that immediately,” said Mr Ulrich Walter of Ulrich Walter GmbH, Germany. Mr Walter's company is one of the largest importers of organic Darjeeling tea. It is also importing coffee and spices from Kerala, mainly Peeramedu, and holy basil (tulsi) from Uttar Pradesh.

He made these remarks at a session on tea at BioFach 2012 that was held here last week.

‘CANNOT COEXIST'

“Europeans want to consume products with a clear conscience. Therefore, there is increasing awareness on organic and fair-price products,” said Mr Walter.

He told Business Line later that genetically modified and conventionally produced crops cannot coexist. “They may be kept at a distance but still there could be pollution of conventional and organic crop through wind and pollen,” he said, adding that people in Germany were particularly concerned over the strides made by India in Bt cotton.

According to Apeda, 4.84 million hectares are under organic farming in India and 75 per cent of this is grown in the wild. Again, only 16 per cent of organic products produced in the country is exported.

Among products treated as non-GMOs, soyameal accounts for a major share in exports. Indian organic products are primarily exported by Europe, the US, Canada and Japan. In Europe, Germany and Switzerland are the main buyers.

Mr Gerald A. Herrmann of Organic Services Germany GmbH said that organic products' exports from India were increasing by 33 per cent every year and most products were being marketed as being free from pesticides.

“However, at the recent World Spice Congress at Pune in India one of the speakers pointed out that India topped in cases of pesticide residues being higher than permitted limits,” he said.

Mr Herman Lanting, an agronomist, said that it was increasingly becoming difficult to find non-Bt cotton in India. “India has begun to lose some great traditional varieties such as DCH-32,” he said.

According to Ms Simone Seisl of Remei AG, Switzerland, her firm that sources organic cotton for retailing is finding it difficult as farmers were switching over to Bt varieties. “Though some want to get back, it is a big task to get them going again, particularly due to the switch over,” she said.

However, Mr Mukesh Gupta of Morarka Organics Foods said that Bt cotton is not posing danger since it was grown in irrigated areas. “Organic products are mainly grown in rain-fed areas and there need not be any fear of GMOs getting mixed,” he told an interactive session at BioFach.

“Every buyer, particularly in Europe, wants a face to any product that he or she buys. They are just not satisfied with buying organic products. What more is their question. In these circumstances, GMOs and mere non-GMO products could put Indian exports under pressure,” said a global consultant who did not wish to be identified.

mrsubramani@gmail.com

The Hindu Business Line

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New moth species invades Italy's vineyard

Posted by Flora Sawita Labels: Euorope, Grapes, Italy, Pest Management

A moth with a taste for Chardonnay leaves, which has infested vineyards across northern Italy, is a new species of leafminer, scientists say.

The pest was first discovered by Italian scientists in 2006, but they were unable to identify it.

Now, by examining a snippet of the moth's genetic code, researchers have confirmed that it is a previously unnamed species.

The team published their findings in the journal ZooKeys.

The Italian team enlisted the help of insect expert Erik van Nieukerken from the Netherlands Centre for Biodiversity in Leiden.

"We first turned to the [scientific] literature to find out what was already known, which was appallingly little for this group [of moths]," Dr van Nieukerken told BBC Nature.

He and his colleagues used a method known as DNA barcoding to examine a section of the insect's genetic code.

"I figured out that this one, despite being quite common in North America, had no name," he recalled.

The new species, which now bears the name Antispila oinophylla, had previously been confused with a North American species (Antispila ampelopsifoliella), which feeds on Virginia creeper.

Only the genetic studies revealed it to be a different species with a taste for grapevines. Its native range is across eastern North America, where it feeds on several species of wild grapes.

So far, the species has been found in vineyards in Italy's Trento and Veneto regions, spreading and increasing in population since it was first recorded.

Having observed the moths in the field, the scientists say that the insect seems to have a preference for the leaves of Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon and Muscat grapes, but they added that the economic impact of this particular pest was not yet clear.

The researchers do not know exactly how the moth arrived in Italy, but Dr van Nieukerken said that it was very easy for the cocoons containing the larvae to be accidentally transported with plant material.

"They're very small and exactly the same colour as the leaves," he told BBC Nature. "So if you were carrying plants, you would probably not notice them.

The scientist said that another species from this same group had been discovered in commercial walnut crops and that more needed to be known about the insects.

"This group is very poorly studied," he told BBC Nature.

"If you know exactly what it is and where it belongs, if you know its evolutionary history.... you can understand better how to control it."

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European vegoils: Palm oil up on Greece debt deal

Posted by Flora Sawita Labels: Euorope, Futures Edible Oil, palm oil

Palm oil on the European vegetable oil market was offered firmer on Tuesday on the back of a deal in the Greek debt saga and on hopes for an increase in Chinese demand, market sources said.

"Several have been strong ahead of a deal to help Greece markets, and now the deal was done we saw some expected 'selling the fact', which pushed the higher levels from early in the day a bit down," one broker said.

Palm oil was offered between $2.50 and $10 a tonne up from Monday after Malaysian palm oil futures closed between 15 and 26 ringgit per tonne up on hopes for more Chinese purchases and the Greek debt deal, which eased economic fears across the globe.

April/June RBD palm olein changed hands between $1,107.50 and $1,115 a tonne fob Malaysia, up $10 from Monday, while July/Sept traded $8 up from $1,102.50 up to $1,113 and Oct/Dec fetched $1,098.50 fob.

At 1730 GMT CBOT soyoil was between 0.09 and 0.35 cents per lb up on continued strength in mineral oil.

Liquid oils - rapeoil, sunoil and soyoil - were offered 2 and 9 euros per tonne down from Monday in a technical correction to recent gains to attract buying interest.

May/July EU rapeoil changed hands at 973 euros per tonne fob exmill. Aug/Oct traded between 969 and 971 euros, and between 965 and 967 euros were paid for Nov/Jan.

Lauric oils were offered between $5 a tonne down and $10 up from Monday, mostly in line with the trend in palm oil futures, but buyers showed no interest and no deals were reported.

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Germany eager to import Pakistani fruits, restore fish imports

Posted by Flora Sawita Labels: Euorope, Export, Fish, Fruit, Germany, Pakistan

Germany has said European Union preferential trade deal could help Pakistani textile industry considerably increase its exports.

EU which imports around euro 83.7 billion of textile products per annum would welcome increased share of Pakistan in its promising market. Textiles account for over 60 percent of the total Pakistani exports to the EU.

The energy situation will need to be improved for the textile sector to get maximum benefit of the Pakistan waiver, said Samy Saadi, Trade Counsellor and head of Economic Section, embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany.

Talking to Samina Fazil, President Islamabad Women’s Chamber of Commerce and Industry (IWCCI), he said energy situation has harmed Pakistan exports to Germany and led to decrease in 2011.

German exports to Pakistan stood at $947 million while her imports from Pakistan stood at $1.2 billion, he informed.

Saadi said uniting and educating people related to agriculture could trigger development as current level of export of fruits, dairy and vegetables were relatively low. However, there is a great potential if production is improved, he added.

He said efforts were underway to introduce Pakistani agricultural products in Germany with the help of Metro.

He said Germany and the EU imports fish worth euro 15.5 billion euro and we were open to restoring fish imports from Pakistan.

Germany is eager to hike investment in Pakistan. “We are engaged in development cooperation focusing on energy, education, vocational training, health and governance and believe in more mutually beneficial commercial activity both ways”.

Samina Fazil stressed the need for enhanced support to Pakistani women entrepreneurs.

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Italy raises 2011 wheat output estimate

Posted by Flora Sawita Labels: Euorope, Grain, Italy, Production Target, Wheat

Italy, a major grain importer in Europe, produced more soft and durum wheat last year than earlier estimated thanks to larger than expected planted areas, according to revised data from Italy's statistic agency ISTAT.

ISTAT has raised its estimate of Italy's 2011 soft wheat output to 2.85 million tonnes from previous estimate of 2.72 million tonnes as it has revised upwards planted areas view to 531,135 hectares (ha) from 507,944 ha, ISTAT data showed.

ISTAT has also raised its estimate of Italy's 2011 durum wheat output to 3.86 million tonnes from its previous estimate of 3.83 million tonnes thanks to an increase in planted areas to 1.19 million ha from 1.16 million ha, the data showed.

Both revised output figures showed that wheat crops in 2011 were still below those of 2010 which came in at 2.93 million tonnes for soft wheat and at 4.01 million tonnes for durum wheat, the data showed.

ISTAT has left 2011 maize crop estimate unchanged at 9.58 million tonnes.

Italy's 2011 barley output rose to 0.90 million tonnes from an earlier estimate of 0.86 million tonnes, according to ISTAT's revised data.

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Italy raises 2011 wheat output estimate

Posted by Flora Sawita Labels: Euorope, Grain, Italy, Production Target, Wheat

ISTAT has left 2011 maize crop estimate unchanged at 9.58 million tonnes.

Italy's 2011 barley output rose to 0.90 million tonnes from an earlier estimate of 0.86 million tonnes, according to ISTAT's revised data.

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Dutch agricultural exports up 9 percent

Posted by Flora Sawita Labels: Euorope, Export, Netherlands

(gsh/imm) The value of Dutch agricultural exports increased by nine percent in 2011 to 73 billion euros. This means the Netherlands is now only second to the United States as a global exporter of meat, dairy, vegetables, flowers and other agricultural produce.

The latest trade figures compiled by Statistics Netherlands and the Agricultural Economics Research Institute were announced on Friday at a major agricultural fair in Berlin, where Dutch businesses traditionally occupy a prominent place.

Dutch agricultural businesses exported products worth 18.8 billion euros to Germany in 2011, with most exporters focusing on the neighbouring federal sates of North Rhine Westphalia and Lower Saxony.

Speaking at the fair, Dutch Deputy Agriculture Minister Henk Bleker said farmers and market gardeners are making an important contribution to efforts to revitalise the economy.

The Netherlands imported 48.3 billion euros in agricultural products in 2010, compared to 72.8 billion euros in exports, resulting in a trade surplus of 24.5 billion euros. The total trade surplus in 2011 was 40 billion euros.

© Radio Netherlands Worldwide

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Dutch agricultural exports up 9 percent

Posted by Flora Sawita Labels: Euorope, Export, Netherlands

Dutch agricultural businesses exported products worth 18.8 billion euros to Germany in 2011, with most exporters focusing on the neighbouring federal sates of North Rhine Westphalia and Lower Saxony.

Speaking at the fair, Dutch Deputy Agriculture Minister Henk Bleker said farmers and market gardeners are making an important contribution to efforts to revitalise the economy.

© Radio Netherlands Worldwide

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The Great Olive Oil Scam

Posted by Flora Sawita Labels: Edible Oil, Euorope, olive oil, Scams and Frauds, USA

How your expensive extra virgin dressing could actually be a cheap imitation

By VICTORIA WELLMAN

(Daily Mail) It is hard to imagine Italian mob bosses discussing the next shipment of olive oil, but according to a new book, the age-old olive oil business is the most corrupt in the recipe book.

Tom Mueller spent months in Italy investigating the subject for Extra Virginity: The Sublime and Scandalous World of Olive Oil.

There he learned that the industry is so badly taken advantage of by fraudsters and crooks, it is possible that the last bottle of olive oil you bought didn't contain olive oil at all.

He told the New York Post: 'I was sitting in a dark bar with an undercover cop in Italy, and he was telling me about deals being cut with high-level politicians and millions of dollars in EU subsidies being misappropriated.

'He was speaking in this hushed tone, and I had to laugh, because this was not black-market plutonium or drugs, this was olive oil.'

The problem, he explained, is that in the USA, the FDA have better things to do than check the contents of the bottles and the labels guaranteeing them.

This means that makers of the antioxidant-enriched fatty oil can do anything they want to reduce the cost of production and charge what they would if it were real.

'Extra-virgin no longer means anything,' Mr Mueller concluded. 'Lower-grade oil is often sold with the label, despite there being a clear definition of what constitutes "extra-virgin"'.

Lowering the grade of the olive oil is common as is substituting it altogether with rapeseed oil that has been chemically processed to make it undetectable.

The author advised consumers that when buying olive oil they should try giving it a whiff.

'When in doubt, resort to the smell test. It should smell fresh and fruity, without any hints of mustiness,' he suggested.

This discovery will alarm not only foodies but people who look to olive oil as a healthy alternative to butter. None of the doctored concoctions will provide the benefits that real olive oil promises.

Mr Mueller offered some suggestions to avoid being duped by the bogus olive oil manufacturers.

Sadly these included avoiding the cheaper options. According to the expert, olive oil is expensive to produce and so inexpensive price tags could be a sign that the oil has been meddled with.

Further eye-opening tips included ignoring terms like 'cold-pressed' which apparently is redundant seeing as olives can only be pressed in high heat, and being wary of labels that claim the product is made in Italy.

Seemingly if a bottle is just packed in a country it can wear such a label.

With so many potential traps there is some good news too.

Places that check the sources of their product will likely sell the real deal and, if you see a harvest date on the label, you've most likely scored a fresh bottle of unadulterated olive oil.