Germains Seed Technology becomes first UK participant in European Seed Treatment Assurance scheme (ESTA)
Germains Seed Technology, based in Kings Lynn, West Norfolk was formally ESTA accredited in December by the certification body, KIWA PAI. Paul Mullan, Managing Director and CEO at Germains said: “We are thrilled to be the first in the UK to achieve this accreditation. As one of the world’s leading seed technology providers we are […]
NFU to support Bayer neonicotinoid legal challenge
NFU Director General Andy Robertson said: “The NFU will support Bayer’s legal challenge of the European Commission’s restrictions on neonicotinoids, and as with the Syngenta challenge, we are planning a direct intervention to support the case. “We are giving our support because we believe the restrictions are a clear example of poor policy making by […]
AIC welcomes review of seed regulations, but fights to retain UK needs
Speaking at the AIC Annual Seed Trade Dinner, Paul Taylor who chairs the Seed Sector said a full review was long overdue and the Confederation had collaborated willingly in the EU Better Regulation consultation for seeds. The UK input reflected a strong consensus between the commercial seed industry and plant breeders, and farming unions, as […]
HIP takes a ‘HAPI’ coordinating role
The Horticulture Innovation Partnership (the HIP) was formed in 2013 to stimulate innovation in the UK horticulture and potato supply chain and will take the lead in the coordination of HAPI. It will bring academic researchers and industry together to deliver improved yields of better quality fresh produce through more sustainable farming practices. The fresh […]
BCPC Weed Review looks at the weed challenges over the past 50 years
“Significant arable weed control challenges have faced farmers, scientists and the industry over the past half-century,” explained Mr Harris. “This review has given us the opportunity to reflect on the hurdles encountered and consider the progress made. It also provided a platform for post-graduates to profile their current weed research in the poster session.” Kicking […]
Neonicotinoid restrictions shroud crop future in uncertainty
The NFU believes that the decision to restrict the use of neonicotinoids, which comes into force from Sunday (December 1), is not justified by the available scientific evidence and could have serious consequences for farmers’ ability to grow produce sustainably. Evidence published in the summer shows that since the neonicotinoids were introduced in the UK […]
Why seedlings always grow towards the light
During earlier research the discovery was made that the cells in the seedling stems responded to blue light used in the microscope. The scientists have now discovered how the blue light causes small structures in the cell, the microtubules, to grow perpendicular to their normal growth direction. As a result, the growth direction of seedlings […]
UK warned: Devolved rejection of GM means UK must vote “No” on new maize
GM Freeze pointed out that since both the Scottish and Welsh Governments reject GM crops the overarching UK administration has no mandate to support the application. [1] The group also highlighted expected harms to the environment, some of which have not been properly assessed. Campaigns Director Helena Paul said: “The UK administration in Whitehall consistently […]
Putting biological nitrogen fixation to work for smallholder farmers
A pan-African project aimed at improving legume technologies to counter the debilitating impact of low-nitrogen soils on agricultural production is generating higher yields and new income streams for smallholder farmers. Since it began in 2009, N2Africa set out to increase the adoption of improved nitrogen fixing legumes – specifically soybean, cowpea, groundnut and common […]
