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Rest of the World
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02/04/08 |
Kenya: Arguments for
Air-Freight Organics Put Forward |
The British Government and the airline industry have put up a strong
defence for Kenya's agricultural produce to continue enjoying good
prices in UK markets and branding as organic produce.
The threat had come from Soil Association, which certifies nearly 70%
of organic produce sold in UK supermarkets. It had argued that
transporting produce by air contributes to air pollution.
Kenya exports horticultural produce to Europe.
The British Government and the airline industry support the airlifting
of Kenya's agricultural produce to London.
The decision by the minister in charge of aviation, Mr Jim Fitzpatrick,
and the airlines is a move against Soil
Association, which has been championing the ban on products airlifted to
the country on arguments that the planes polluted the environment.
New conditions
During a meeting organised by lobby group Flying Matters, the airline
representatives supported Kenyan farmers and called for a review of
restrictions by Soil Association.
Soil Association had proposed new conditions for farmers and wholesalers
who want to continue to be certified as selling organic produce, saying
that they would have to publish a plan for reducing their use of air
freight, which they blame for pollution. In addition, the proceeds of
the sale should be invested in education and improving the workers'
welfare.
Mr Fitzpatrick said there should be a balance between the welfare of the
people and environmental matters.
Flying Matters executive director Michelle Di Leo said airlifting
produce to London was not necessarily the cause of major pollution
because other modes of transport also emitted carbon in the air.
She said: "The people producing these perishable goods have one of the
lowest carbon footprints. The very people they (association) want to
save from climate change will be the ones who will lose their source of
income."
Kenya's high commissioner to London Joseph Muchemi said the country did
not support the Soil Association's desire to include airfreight as part
of its standard.
Carbon efficient
"Our produce is grown using compost manure and current studies indicate
even with airfreight, organic products from Kenya are still more carbon
efficient compared to those grown in Europe," Mr Muchemi said during the
meeting at Whitehall.
Fearing that the new measures by the association could affect their
income from cargo, the airlines, through Mr Brian Wilson of Civil
Aeronautics and Emirates' Andrew Parker, said they had adopted
sustainable measures to improve aircraft so that they do not pollute the
environment.
This has been done by manufacturing planes with more efficient engines
which consume less fuel, thereby emitting less carbon in the air.
Mr Wilson argued that aeroplane manufacturers were also concerned about
pollution and were working to reduce it, adding that pollution was much
less nowadays than it was before with the advanced manufacturing
technology.
Source: Africa News
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19/03/08 |
Bolivia: US Aid for
Organic Onions Production |
More than 150 tons
of organic sweet onions are giving some
Bolivian farmers a US $340,000 harvest. The
recent bountiful shipment to Los Angeles marked a three-year U.S. Agency
for International Development effort to make Bolivian onion growers
international competitors.
The onions are cultivated more than 12,000 feet above sea level on land
once considered unsuitable for traditional agriculture, says USAID's
Jorge Calvo, the program's manager who views the high elevation as an
advantage. The onions, along with a dozen other crops, are part of a
USAID training program to improve Bolivian agriculture.
Because the rarified atmosphere prevents pests and crop diseases from
thriving, the onions are grown without chemical fertilizers and
pesticides, earning a coveted organic label. Organic sweet onions are in
big demand and command higher prices, he says.
The agricultural program strives to make farmers prosperous by matching
niche crops such as chili peppers, grapes, peanuts, peaches,
raspberries, garlic and fava beans to Bolivia's diverse topography and
climate. Growers also apply the latest farming methods such as soil
management, irrigation and mechanization in achieving year-round
harvests, says Calvo.
So far, it's working. The agency's $20 million investment in 2002 has
generated more than $40 million in family earnings, boosting per capita
income for the 40,000 participating households by almost 50 percent in a
country where the average family exists on just $4,400 per year.
"We sit down with them, we work with them," says Calvo, describing
USAID's personal approach in carrying out the program. "The farmers have
been open to this."
For more information about USAID and its programs in Bolivia, visit
www.usaid.gov
Source:
M2 Presswire
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16/03/08 |
Brazil: Organic Snack Bars Going to the Middle-East |
Organic cereal bar maker Renk's Industrial,
headquartered in São
Paulo, is targeting the Arab market. "Our main
contacts are in Dubai, in the United Arab Emirates.
We are still examining the market
there, but we know that there is a great potential for our products in
the region," quoted Leandro Farkuh, commercial
director at the company.
The products are marketed
under the umbrella brand
BioBrasilProducts. Others include BioSanck,
composed of fruit snacks and Brazilian nuts;
eBar Organic, Brazilian fruit bars; BioPalm,
an assai bar; and BiO2, a cereal bar with
Brazilian fruit.
"Brand BioBrasilProducts was created to be a reference in organic food
in Brazil and worldwide," stated Farkuh. Exports already represent 50%
of Renk's revenues. The company is certified by Ecocert.
Cereal bar eBar Organic is the main product sold by the company and the
main destination markets are the United States, England, France, Germany
and Mexico. The eBar
products are packaged using ecological
material. "The line is a pioneer in the use of biodegradable film
in food packages and all the boxes are made out of recycled paper,"
explained the director.
Another product that promises to make success on the foreign market is
line eNergy, based on the high level of energy extracted from the fruit.
This organic line is based on assai, cupuassu, Barbados cherry and
guarana in all flavours. These flavours mixed with a fruit of dominant
taste create the differentiated bars.
According to Farkuh, the Brazilian origin of the products is evident in
the use of exotic fruit and nuts with low concentrations of calories.
"The bars are natural or organic and receive no chemicals or sugar,"
pointed out the director.
Related Report:
#7002-40 The
Global Market for Organic Food &
Drink
Source:
Info-Prod Research (Middle East)
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