Strengthening EU-China Cooperation in the Field of Agriculture

Commissioner Dacian Cioloș is in Beijing, China, 22-24 July 2013, to strengthen EU-China cooperation in the areas of agriculture and rural development. The main topics to be addressed during the visit concern enhanced cooperation in the fight against counterfeiting in the wines and spirits sector, as well as in the field of food security and agricultural research with a view to increase agricultural productivity and sustainable management of natural resources.

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Teagasc - Food Innovation Gateways Event

A showcase of ideas for ambitious food enterprises - find out about our research & development activities, technologies and supports for the food industry. This exciting event provides an opportunity for all food companies but in particular Small & Medium Sized Enterprises (SMEs) and Food Entrepreneurs to experience at first hand:

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Culinary Tourism - John Stanley

Many of you will be aware that I believe this is the next big retail initiative, it will combine retailing and tourism. At present I am writing a book on Culinary Tourism which I hope to get published next year. In the meantime I am noticing a number of initiatives taking place.

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The Organic Option - Success Stories

Read more: The Organic Option - Success Stories

40 Years of the Teagasc National Farm Survey

The Teagasc National Farm Survey is celebrating 40 years of publication. It measures farm incomes across the main enterprises and reflects the changes in sales, costs and incomes on an annual basis. Teagasc marked the fortieth publication of the Teagasc National Farm Survey, at an event in the Royal Dublin Society, Dublin, recently.

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Teagasc Demonstration Organic Farm Walks

This year Teagasc have arranged a diverse range of farm walks which should be of interest to everyone in the organic sector and indeed those interested in converting to organic production. Click below for a full list of the farm walks.

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From Farm to Fork: How the EU Ensures Your Food is Safe

This week the annual Taste festival arrives in Dublin and as we turn our attention to all things gastronomic the EU is asking consumers to really think about the food that they purchase and the processes involved in getting it to our plates, and just how our food chain is protected: from "farm-to-fork."

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New Initiatives in Fruit and Vegetable Retailing

Up until recently, the retailing of fresh produce followed mainly traditional practises. Fresh produce is normally sold at or near the entrance to a supermarket – a reassurance that an essential part of the shopping is right at hand. There is an increasing use of fridges to ensure the freshness of the products and help extend their in store shelf life.

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Minister Coveney Announces €4.4 Million Investment Aid for Horticulture Industry

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Simon Coveney TD, today announced a grant aid package of €4.4 million under the 2013 Scheme of Investment Aid for the Development of the Commercial Horticulture Sector funded under the National Development Plan (2007-2013). Commenting on the budget provided for the Scheme this year, the Minister said he was “delighted to be able to continue to provide support for this exceptionally dynamic sector through the Exchequer’s funding of the scheme.”

Read more: Minister Coveney Announces €4.4 Million Investment Aid for Horticulture Industry

Online and Independent Channels Perform Strongly in UK Organic Sector

The UK organic food sector remained flat in 2012 at an overall value of £1.6bn. According to the Soil Association's annual report, supermarket own label ranges declined by 11% as a consequence of significant range rationalisation at the onset of the UK recession. Branded goods meanwhile enjoyed some growth (2.2%).

Read more: Online and Independent Channels Perform Strongly in UK Organic Sector

Strengthening EU-China Cooperation in the Field of Agriculture

Commissioner Dacian Cioloș is in Beijing, China, 22-24 July 2013, to strengthen EU-China cooperation in the areas of agriculture and rural development.

Read more: Strengthening EU-China Cooperation in the Field of Agriculture

Food & Drink Exports Continue to Grow, Bord Bia

According to new figures released today by Bord Bia, the value of Irish food and drink exports has increased by over 8%, or €370 million, during the first six months of the year, relative to the same period last year. This increase was driven by a particularly strong performance in beef exports – up by 15% or €140 million, accounting for almost 40% of the total growth.

Read more: Food & Drink Exports Continue to Grow, Bord Bia

Good Weather Provides Major Respite for Farming Community

“Farmers around the country are making the most of the current fine weather and excellent grass growing conditions to replenish winter fodder stocks, “said IFA President John Bryan. “A good summer is critical to ensure that enough fodder is saved for next winter after the disastrous 12 months of difficult weather. Cereals, fruit and vegetable crops are also benefiting from the fine weather.”

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Health Minister Launches New Food Labelling Scheme

The new scheme, introduced by the Food Standards Agency (FSA), uses colour-coded red, amber and green front-of-pack labelling to show how much fat, saturated fat, salt, sugars and energy are in food products. Speaking ahead of the launch of the scheme in Parliament Buildings, the Minister welcomed the new scheme from the FSA. He said that we face many public health issues associated with the food we eat.

Read more: Health Minister Launches New Food Labelling Scheme

Horticulture in the Dail - Grant Aid: 13 Jun 2013: Written Answers

Terence Flanagan (Dublin North East, Fine Gael) 
173. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the grant-aid given to the horticulture industry for the past five years; if he has any proposed new initiatives to help the industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Read more: Horticulture in the Dail - Grant Aid: 13 Jun 2013: Written Answers

Organic Growers of Ireland (OGI) Farm Walks

This year the OGI have line up an impressive range of walks taking place around the country. If you are a member of the OGI there is no cost to attend the farm walk, otherwise it is €5.

• Eamonn Mc Donagh,Ballinacarra, Kilmaine, Co Mayo. Monday the 17th Of June 

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Euro-Toque Accolades for Organic Trust Producers

Organic Trust Members Pat Lalor of Kilbeggan Organic Foods and Mary Regan both won awards for the excellent quality of the organic produce they have brought to the market. Pat Lalor, through his stewardship of the soil and organic farming methods is producing creamy flavoursome porridge oats, which many say ‘tastes like porridge used to’. 

Read more: Euro-Toque Accolades for Organic Trust Producers

Bord Bia’s “Healthy Ageing” Study - Opportunities for Food Manufacturers

At the recent Bord Bia “Healthy Ageing” conference, Helen King of Bord Bia presented research which examined the diet of elderly people in Sweden, Japan and the UK. The research was carried out in 3 phases;

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Good Bugs Don’t Have to Be Dead Bugs

“The only good aphid is a dead aphid” used to be my mantra. I would walk up and down rows of plotted trees, spraying the plants with Metasystox, oblivious to the risks to my own health. I didn’t bother with rubber gloves, a mask, or even rubber boots, leaving my skin exposed to this toxic pesticide.

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‘Unprecedented Demand’ for Guaranteed Irish Symbol

There is "unprecedented demand" from companies to secure a Guaranteed Irish trademark, according to the firm behind the scheme, as other companies await the outcome of a legal challenge over Waterford Crystal glass. Tom Rea, director of Guaranteed Irish, said 40 firms had been registered with the GI mark already in 2012.

Read more: ‘Unprecedented Demand’ for Guaranteed Irish Symbol