- Oldest rice research facility in Western Hemisphere turns 100.
- ICRISAT DG plugs his genebank, says “India should start investing for the long-term sustainability of the farming sector particularly in dryland agriculture.”
- Seed-saving in Arkansas.
- The Archaeobotanist reviews rice domestication. And again.
- Nordics to discuss how to develop products based on local livestock breeds.
Nibbles: Grains, Cuba, Wine, Raspberries, Film, Bio-char, European market regulations
- Perennial grains need your help.
- “In Cuba no one is helpless or dying of hunger.”
- Biodiversity in wine champion. But what about other cultivated species?
- “It’s called Ukee and it is a very special red raspberry“. Jeremy says “BTDTGTTS.”
- A sceptic evaluates “Food, Inc.”. Jeremy says “we shall see”.
- “I hope that the charcoal fever passes and the zealots and rent seekers move on to the next big fantasy”. May they pyrolize in Hell.
- Welcome, “curly cucumbers, crooked carrots and mottled mushrooms“!
Nibbles: Eels, Learning, Taro
- Norway protects eels.
- 3d interactive training materials for beekeeping and sorghum cultivation.
- More on the Hawaiian GM taro story.
Nibbles: Bats and bananas, Extension, Russian animal harvests, Rice improvement, Sacred groves
Some Swiss resisting EU seed juggernaut
We’ve written before about how EU regulations and directives threaten the survival of agricultural biodiversity (and this is as good a place as any to start). Now, alas, the Swiss, in an effort to “simplify trade with EU neighbours,” are planning to emulate their neighbours’ one-size-fits-all approach to regulation and install a certification catalogue of their own.
Can we just remind the Swiss authorities of that old chestnut about those who don’t understand history being condemned to repeat it?
Personally, I have absolutely nothing against seed certification systems, as long as they aren’t monolithic. Customers should be free to purchase whatever varieties they want, certified or otherwise, at their own risk. Anything else is indefensible.
Fortunately, Pro Specie Rara is on hand to campaign against this silliness. We can but hope that the eminently reasonable Swiss will listen to reason, and gain lasting fame among diversity enthusiasts everywhere for more than the cuckoo clock.