Archive Article: 1997/11/08
THE Health and Safety Executives inspectors investigated 204 complaints about pesticide use during the 12 month period up to 31 March. Roughly the same number of prosecution cases were taken under specific pesticides legislation as in the previous year. The main source of complaints in recent years has been agricultural crop spraying.
The Control of Pesticides (Amendment) Regulations, make it clear that pesticide application must be restricted to its target area.
AS of January, Jim Orson, currently head of cereals for ADAS, will become director of Morley Research Centre.
BRITISH Sugar has launched a grower helpline, manned by Kirsty Purt. Growers may still resolve queries with their usual factory contacts and area managers, but the helpline provides a one-stop contact point for operational, contract, payment and other day- to-day issues.
The helpline is open Mon-Fri, 9am to 5pm on 01733 422567.
EC measures to control potato brown rot, first introduced in 1995 following outbreaks in the Netherlands, are to be extended for another year. They require that the Dutch prevent the export of any seed potatoes from infected farms, and that all consignments of seed potatoes are tested before export.
There are also safeguards on potatoes for processing and supplies for retail sale.
GERMANYS Green party has relaxed its blanket opposition to genetic engineering, reports European Chemical News.
But while it acknowledges the usefulness of the techniques in producing drugs to treat life-threatening diseases, its maintaining a rigid stance against genetics in agriculture.
REEKIE Manufacturing joins other potato mechanisation specialists such as Miedema and Hassia under the Netagco Holdings umbrella. Within this strategic alliance, Reekie can continue on an independent operational basis while taking advantage of the overall product line within the group, it says.
FLAX contractors have agreed to a new protocol to ensure that environmentally sensitive land isnt used to grow flax. They have agreed not to accept contracts or claim aid on SSSIs, unimproved (semi-natural) habitats and other unsuitable land types.
Copies of the protocol are available from Robin Appel on 01489 896388.
ASSOCIATED British Foods, through its British Sugar Overseas subsidiary, is to acquire controlling interests in two sugar factories, one processing Chinese sugar cane, the other Polish sugar beet. Both acquisitions are subject to local regulatory approval.
Meanwhile the Financial Times reports that world sugar production is forecast to reach near-record levels in 1997-98. Strong performances from the EU and Brazil will more than compensate for decreased production in eastern Europe, Thailand, India and Cuba.
THIS month sees the first BPC inward mission. The party of Italian retailers, merchants and journalists will have the chance to meet British potato exporters to discuss business opportunities. Italy is one of Europes biggest importers of ware potatoes, and prices there are high this year.
DAVID Ringrose, chairman of the Maltsters Association of Great Britain, predicts that many UK maltsters, especially those exporting malt, are likely to change the pattern of barley purchasing. Barley will be purchased more in relation to current mill sales, moving away from the traditional practice of securing most of their annual requirement at harvest time, he says.
BANKS Agriculture declares avid support of the Assured Combinable Crops Scheme and, in conjunction with the NFU and the scheme administrators, is holding a series of grower meetings this month. Contact Jane Leitch for details of East Anglia venues on 01638 667662 or Emma Arling for East Midlands venues on 01572 824264.
HORMONES used in HRT therapy for women could soon be sourced from genetically-altered oilseed crops, according to Canadas National Research Council. Urine from pregnant mares is the current source.