A legal battle over the Philippi Horticultural Area (PHA), situated in the urban edge of Cape Town, starts this week. On 15 and 16 October 2019, the PHA Food & Farming Campaign will be arguing for the preservation of a key piece of agricultural land in the City of Cape Town’s jurisdiction that is under threat from proposed developments. The case on the roll in the … [Read more...]
More poisoning on the way for South Africa’s maize
The African Centre for Biodiversity (ACB) is extremely concerned about impending approvals by the South African government in regard to three new genetically modified (GM) maize varieties designed to withstand the extremely toxic herbicide, 2,4-D. 2,4-D is one of the active ingredients of the infamous war chemical Agent Orange. The ACB has engaged with regulators over … [Read more...]
Win-win for people and planet: smart shepherding in South Africa
The Karoo, in South Africa, is a harsh environment in which to make a living out of agriculture—the area is mostly devoid of surface water. Its name is derived from the Khoisan word meaning “land of thirst”. The land was traditionally used by pastoralists but drought, overgrazing and predation by wild animals made this activity precarious. Predators were kept in check by … [Read more...]
Can I be vegan and biodynamic?
Whether someone wishes to eat meat or not is a very individual decision. Some people feel the need to eat meat regularly while others become ill if they so much as smell it. It can be for reasons of personal health and it can be a matter of principle. Either way being a vegetarian or a vegan is a very noble aspiration and one which need not conflict with biodynamic … [Read more...]
Green Party aims for harmony between humans and the environment
The Green Party of South Africa is standing for the Western Cape provincial elections this year. The party's core goal is to have humans live in harmony with each other and our environment. It is an ideology shared to some level by every citizen of this country – from those who wish they could end poverty for others, or for themselves, end animal cruelty, etc. and for those … [Read more...]
SA targeted for testing of risky new gene silencing technology
The African Centre for Biodiversity (ACB) has lodged an objection against Pioneer Hi-Bred’s application for field trials of RNAi /gene silencing (DP-566113-9) GM maize, since the risks to the health of the environment and humans is, as yet, unknown. Just as most people were going on holiday, on 21 December 2018, Pioneer Hi-Bred advertised in the Citizen newspaper its … [Read more...]
A landmark celebration for a landmark organisation
At its 20-year celebration event in Cape Town last night, Biowatch celebrated 20 years of learning, sharing and activism to protect natural and agricultural biodiversity across South Africa. The event was a highlight on the first day of the Agroecology for the 21st Century Conference currently happening at the Centre for the Book, Iziko Museum and Spin Street Gallery. The … [Read more...]
No protection for Cape Town’s breadbasket even after drought
The Philippi Horticulture Area (PHA) Campaign - who host hundreds of UCT and foreign students a year and was presenting at this year's conference - has withdrawn from the Agroecology for the 21st Century Conference in Cape Town this week. The event is taking place at the Centre of the Book, Queen Victoria Street, Cape Town CBD 28, 29, 30 January 2019. The PHA Campaign and … [Read more...]
Agroecology: smallholder farmers mend a broken food system
Despite the adversity of a hot and often dry climate in the rural areas of northern KwaZulu-Natal, an innovative and well-informed network of farmers is regularly supplying fresh, nutritious food for their own households as well as surplus for sale at markets. They have shown that the land can take care of its people – if its people take care of their land. On her rocky, … [Read more...]
Pesticides and human health: the UK government’s ‘elephant in the room’
The UK Government currently has a consultation running until 8th May entitled ‘Health and Harmony: the future for food, farming and the environment in a Green Brexit.’ A promising title I thought! That was until I read the various consultation documents - produced by DEFRA - where it became abundantly clear that, despite the title, there is a glaring omission of anything human … [Read more...]
How to stop pesticide spraying in your area
The spraying of agricultural chemicals is widespread, not just on farmlands, vineyards and fruit orchards, but also in towns, public parks and gardens, playgrounds, schools, sports fields and on verges. These notes may help you, should you find yourself exposed to spray drift. There are a few laws in South Africa that protect people and the environment: Fertilizers, farm … [Read more...]
Fresh bounty in demand at New Zealand eco farm
For Frank van Steensel and Josje Neerincx, the biggest milestone in 20 years of developing their eco farm is the interest their four children have in their steadily expanding business, Wairarapa Eco Farms. After buying an 8ha bare piece of land on the Tauherenikau Plains in 1996, the couple have called Wairarapa home ever since. They moved from The Netherlands to New … [Read more...]
Help ban toxic dicamba and protect seed sovereignty
This pesticide flies through the air, destroying most plants in its path - even on neighbouring land. Almost no crop survives but Monsanto GMOs. It’s a greedy scheme that will make Monsanto billions and destroy our food system! But now 1,000 farmers are fighting back. They've forced the governor in a major US farm state to issue a temporary ban and now he’s deciding … [Read more...]
