UK: Fenmarc Powered by Renewable Energy

Leading fresh produce supplier Fenmarc is set to source all its electricity from renewable energy following the successful commissioning of a local Anaerobic Digestion (AD) plant, located adjacent to its site in Cambridgeshire.

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Teagasc Appoint Head of its Crops, Environment and Land Use Programme

Teagasc has appointed Paddy Browne as head of its Crops, Environment and Land Use programme. The appointment was made by the Teagasc Authority at its meeting recently. He takes over from Dr Noel Culleton who has retired after a long and successful career.

Read more: Teagasc Appoint Head of its Crops, Environment and Land Use Programme

HortiTrends Weekly Comment & News Digest May 10th

27 Show Gardens & 160 Retailers to Exhibit at Bloom 2012 and you can follow all the trade relevant news here on the build up to and at the event. We will be there at the event with a professional photographer in tow so if you are exhibiting and want to get professional shots on the day for future publicity use you can save time and money as we are offering great value half hour shoots to interested parties.

We will soon be coming live from Chelsea 2012 with all the trade relevant news so be sure to keep checking in or sign up for our Latest News Alerts. That means that we won't make Garden Show Ireland which has had a name change to the 'Airtricity Garden Show'. Could that be the future of Bloom and Chelsea? 'Woodies or Bosch in the Park' just doesn't have that same ring about it. Sponsors need to strike a balance in the deliverable's that they expect from organisers. Name changes are a step too far and could alienate visitors to what is a great show up north, in my opinion.

Read more: HortiTrends Weekly Comment & News Digest May 10th

This Weeks Premium Jobs in Horticulture Ireland

UK: Unilever Research Suggests Old Varities More Nutritious

Older varieties of fruits and vegetables may hold more nutrients than modern breeds, recent research suggests. A three year research project plans to get to the bottom of this and demonstrate how significant the differences are. It will focus on "pre-domesticated varieties."

Read more: UK: Unilever Research Suggests Old Varities More Nutritious

Food Industry Criticise Draft Children's Advertising Code

FDII today said it was very disappointed with the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland's (BAI) new draft Code on Advertising to Children. The group said the draft code was based on flawed science, would have little impact on childhood obesity rates and was a threat to our international reputation as a food island.

Read more: Food Industry Criticise Draft Children's Advertising Code

Growise and Incredible Edibles with Agri Aware

Growise from Bord na Móna has teamed up with Agri Aware’s Incredible Edibles to put a spring in the step of Ireland’s primary school children.

Read more: Growise and Incredible Edibles with Agri Aware

Farm Plastic at Centre of Hogan-Lowry Meeting

A new plan for the 20,000 tonnes-plus of Irish farm plastic recycled per year was the topic of the controversial meeting between Environment Minister Phil Hogan and Michael Lowry, TD — which took place six days after the Moriarty Report branded Mr Lowry as corrupt.

Read more: Farm Plastic at Centre of Hogan-Lowry Meeting

Minister Coveney Calls for Submissions for New Round of EU Promotion Programmes

The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine invites Trade / Inter-Trade organisations representative of the following sector to submit proposals for promotion/information measures to commence in 2013 as follows:

Read more: Minister Coveney Calls for Submissions for New Round of EU Promotion Programmes

New Study is First to Show That Pesticides Can Induce Morphological Changes in Vertebrate Animals, Says Pitt Researcher

PITTSBURGH - The world’s most popular weed killer, Roundup®, can cause amphibians to change shape, according to research published today in Ecological Applications.

Read more: New Study is First to Show That Pesticides Can Induce Morphological Changes in Vertebrate...

International Day for Biological Diversity

The International Day for Biological Diversity (IDB) is to increase understanding and awareness of biodiversity issues. Why not celebrate IDB this year as part of your school's Green-Schools programme? It is a great idea for an Action Day, especially for schools currently working on the Biodiversity theme!

Read more: International Day for Biological Diversity

Ó Cuív Calls For National Strategy On Fracking

A comprehensive national strategy on the practice of fracking must be developed as a matter of urgency, according to Galway West Fianna Fáil TD Éamon Ó Cuív. Deputy Ó Cuív commented: "The Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources Pat Rabbitte cannot continue to ignore the serious concerns about the safety and suitability of fracking in Ireland. Given that he has already granted.

Read more: Ó Cuív Calls For National Strategy On Fracking

Get Your Business off to a Flying Start in Asia

The Asia Trade Forum, established by the Irish Exporters Association, has launched a competition for Irish businesses interested in expanding into Asia. The winning business will be provided flights and expenses for a business development trip to the region.

Read more: Get Your Business off to a Flying Start in Asia

Food Innovation Gateways - Technologies for the Food Processing Industry

Teagasc invite all IEA members to their major food technology showcase event in the Aviva Stadium. On the day you will also receive the “Food Technology Portfolio” which contains over 100 pages of food technology offers, technology updates and technology services which Teagasc provides to support innovation in food companies.

Read more: Food Innovation Gateways - Technologies for the Food Processing Industry

Are Lawn Pesticides Endangering Our Children?

When they started feeling woozy barely an hour into their batting practice, Alan Gorkin and his son Tristan, then 12 years old, didn't think too much of it.

Read more: Are Lawn Pesticides Endangering Our Children?

The Importance Of Community For Raising Your Profile

If a symbiotic relationship with your local community brings more people to your garden centre, increases sales and the average customer spend, then the effort to develop it will have been worth it.

Read more: The Importance Of Community For Raising Your Profile

O'Donohoe the New ICOS Boss

Seamus O'Donohoe has been appointed CEO of the Irish Co-operative Organisation Society (ICOS). Mr O'Donohoe takes over from Tom O'Callaghan, who is leaving the farm body after just over 12 months at the helm.

Read more: O'Donohoe the New ICOS Boss

Grave Threat of Pesticides to Bees' Billion-Pound Bonanza is now Clear

Replacing the pollination of food crops that the UK's bees perform for free would cost £1.8bn. With hard data now linking pesticides to bees' rapid decline, there is no excuse for inaction.

Read more: Grave Threat of Pesticides to Bees' Billion-Pound Bonanza is now Clear

HortiTrends Weekly Comment & News Digest May 3rd

While ITB also offers 'Corporate Social Responsibility' as a course, the horticulture department at ITB are putting it into action through their community work in ITB Horticulture Update - Bloom 2012, Community Projects & Student Placements. The idea that is sometimes proffered in the media that lecturers in general are giving classes 10 hours a week is just not real and this article accounts for some of the varied roles that ITB horticulture staff undertake. They are proactive in developing community links which also gives them the chance to offer 'Real' work experience to students. Other roles include sourcing suitable work placements for high calibre students (still some available for your business) and also on the road at events like Bloom trying to inspire the next batch of potential graduates makes for busy times.

Read more: HortiTrends Weekly Comment & News Digest May 3rd

Innovation in Fruit and Vegetables Highlighted

The recent Fruit Logistica show highlighted several new innovative offerings, appealing to different needs in consumers lives.

Read more: Innovation in Fruit and Vegetables Highlighted