Dail Debate on National Horticultural Strategy to Drive the Potential of the Sector

Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick, Fine Gael) Link to this

I thank the Ceann Comhairle for selecting this matter. It might not be one that affects constituencies up and down the country, but it is one that was brought to my attention in the recent past by a number of nursery and garden centre owners, namely, the need for the establishment of a national horticultural strategy to drive the potential of the sector.

Read more: Dail Debate on National Horticultural Strategy to Drive the Potential of the Sector

UK Home Grown Fruit and Veg in Danger

Poor supply chain practices are devaluing the fruit and vegetable industry according to the findings of a recent study. The National Farmer's Union's (NFU) Catalyst for Change report says that tomatoes, cucumbers and spring onions were being threatened by the decline in Britain's self sufficiency in relation to certain crop types.

Read more: UK Home Grown Fruit and Veg in Danger

Social Inclusion a Key to Rural Suicide Prevention

The findings of a major new study of men in rural Ireland was launched today, Wednesday, 11 July at University College Dublin by Ms Kathleen Lynch, T.D. Minister for Mental Health, Disability and Older People. The study was a collaborative project between UCD and Teagasc.

Read more: Social Inclusion a Key to Rural Suicide Prevention

Scientists Discover Farmers’ Secret Stress Buster

Recent research by scientists at University College Cork in Ireland has recently confirmed what a select group of arable farmers and vegetable growers have long since known: That a certain seaweed extract can help plants withstand stress caused by warm weather.

Read more: Scientists Discover Farmers’ Secret Stress Buster

A Flavour of What to Expect at GLAS 2012

Read more: A Flavour of What to Expect at GLAS 2012

Ivy feud by Rónán Ó Snodaigh

Ivy Feud

There comes a time in every gardener’s life
When they have to confront the dark everygreen empire that is ; the Ivy
If you have been cutting her back every year
You probably have a well established quarrell with her
But if you’ve taken a more ‘laizes faire” attitude to your gardening duties
You’re in for a big difficult, die hard, dust up

Read more: Ivy feud by Rónán Ó Snodaigh

Summer Open Day at The Organic College

Pictures from the recent open day. We would like to thank everyone who was involved in the success of this event. We would also like to thank all our visitors who arrived in such great numbers.

Read more: Summer Open Day at The Organic College

Horticulture Exempt from Credit Guarantee Bill 2012

John Perry (Sligo-North Leitrim, Fine Gael)

I welcome this opportunity to present the Credit Guarantee Bill 2012 to the Seanad. The Bill is one of the key targeted actions in the Government Action Plan for Jobs 2012 to address access to credit and support lending to SMEs, and will, I believe, prove to be a practical way of facilitating additional lending to SMEs. This is not a grant nor a support for ailing businesses. It is a scheme intended to address specific market failures that prevent bank lending to some commercially viable businesses, by providing a 75% guarantee to banks against losses on qualifying loans to job creating firms. The target beneficiaries are commercially viable SMEs, that is those which display a repayment capacity for additional credit facilities, but that cannot secure credit facilities under current conditions due to two market failures, namely insufficient collateral or lack of appreciation by the credit institutions of the growth-expansionary business model.

Read more: Horticulture Exempt from Credit Guarantee Bill 2012

This Weeks Premium Jobs in Horticulture Ireland

This Weeks Premium Jobs in Horticulture Ireland

Grounds Person New!

Read more: This Weeks Premium Jobs in Horticulture Ireland

Pollinators to Benefit in New RHS Guide

Bees and other pollinating insects will benefit from a new guide produced by the RHS. Following last year’s list of pollinator-friendly cultivated plants, the charity is launching a list of wildflowers useful as nectar or pollen sources for insects. Many of these native plants can be used in cultivated areas.

Read more: Pollinators to Benefit in New RHS Guide

Teagasc Optional REPS Countryside Management Courses for Farmers

Now that mandatory REPS 4 courses have been completed, all farmers in REPS 4 may attend a second optional Five Hour REPS Course for which they will receive €85. Teagasc has developed new Countryside Management Courses on a range of topics. Farmers who joined REPS 4 in 2008 must complete their optional course by the end of 2012, while those who joined in 2009 must complete their courses by end of 2013.

Read more: Teagasc Optional REPS Countryside Management Courses for Farmers

EU Organic Logo Fully Up and Running

From the 1st July 2012, the EU organic logo will be obligatory on all pre-packaged organic food products produced in EU Member States which meet the necessary standards. The logo will stay optional for non-packed and imported organic products. Other private, regional or national logos will continue to be allowed to appear alongside the EU label.

Read more: EU Organic Logo Fully Up and Running

Harvesting the Sun – A Profile of World Horticulture

Seeking to share horticulture’s scope and value with a wide readership, the International Society of Horticultural Science (ISHS) has released Harvesting the Sun: A Profile of World Horticulture.

Read more: Harvesting the Sun – A Profile of World Horticulture

New EU organic Label from July 1st

From July a new logo for organic products will be required throughout the EU. The EU have introduced the new organic logo to create more transparency. Critics see room for improvement.

Read more: New EU organic Label from July 1st

U.S. Forms Organic Equivalency Partnership with E.U.

Growers now only need one certification to sell in both markets.

Organic growers in the U.S. and European Union will now be able to sell food labeled organic in both markets. In the past, organic growers have had to obtain separate certifications for each standard, meaning two sets of fees, inspections and paperwork.

Read more: U.S. Forms Organic Equivalency Partnership with E.U.

Harvest of Irish Food - Tradition, Technology, Trends Food Journalists 2012nd Taste

Dublin is the City of Science for 2012 and this week it hosts the Euroscience Open Forum (ESOF). As part of this international event, Teagasc, in partnership with University College Dublin, Bord Bia and the Dublin Institute of Technology are hosting a Harvest of Irish Food event to showcase the unique combination of Irish food culture and tradition with the best of food science and technology in Ireland.

Read more: Harvest of Irish Food - Tradition, Technology, Trends Food Journalists 2012nd Taste

Irish Village Markets Launch Handbook for Aspiring Market Traders

Irish Village Markets: Handbook for Aspiring Market Traders

As a result of the recession, Ireland has seen a huge increase in the number of people turning to markets and market trading as a low overhead means of generating an income. Many new traders find that the information regarding legal and insurance obligations, health regulations and codes of practice can be difficult to source.

Read more: Irish Village Markets Launch Handbook for Aspiring Market Traders

Teagasc and FACCE JPI Debate Feeding the World

Teagasc, the agriculture and food development authority in Ireland, and the EU Joint Programming Initiative on Agriculture, Food Security and Climate Change (FACCE – JPI), have jointly arranged a scientific session - "The Great Debate on the Battle to Feed a Changing Planet."

Read more: Teagasc and FACCE JPI Debate Feeding the World

HortiTrends Weekly Comment & News Digest July 12th

Its all systems go for the upcoming GLAS Ireland horticulture trade-show. The long-range weather forecasts are predicting rain for the day of the show which should be good for the impulse show visitor numbers. We have spoken to various businesses who will not be taking the day off to visit as its all about keeping the foot on the gas and makeing sales. They see a trade show visit as a luxury. We can't argue with any individuals decision not to attend but would suggest that its a false economy. We are not inundated with trade-shows here in Ireland so the chance to find out what's going on in your sector and chat to colleagues and suppliers will pay dividends throughout the rest of the year. You also have the chance to connect with and support Irish Horticulture businesses.

Read more: HortiTrends Weekly Comment & News Digest July 12th