According to the Commission, the reforms aim to improve competitiviness, protect farmers from crisis, and implement fruit and vegetable (F&V) consumption and environmental protection. Member States have three options for fulfilling cross compliance obligations: giving support for agri-environmental commitments; fixing general mandatory environmental requirements (based on environmental legislation); and setting out specific environmental standards. Member States have three options for...

The trio has visited other farmers markets in the area and were discouraged when they discovered that some of the food items for sale were not from local farms. In addition to supplying the public with local food, the market will also help to support smaller local farmers who do not operate on the industrial scale or who grow their produce organically. Purchases at the market can be made with cash, check or trade for items relevant to the farmer's market products. The group stresses that...

IMMINGHAM, England: Independent oil company Greenergy's biodiesel plant in north-east England began commercial production yesterday and should ramp up to full output in a couple of weeks, chief executive Andrew Owens said. Owens said the plant would adjust its balance between vegetable oils during the year, with rapeseed oil likely to be used more in winter than in summer. Rival UK biodiesel producers Biofuels Corp and D1 Oils have both been running at below capacity recently, citing a...

Looking at the huge increase for 2007-corn acres projected in USDA's March 30 Planting Intentions Report, the key question is: Will there be much change between now and what farmers actually end up planting this spring? That was one of several important questions addressed in a telephone press conference by the Iowa Corn Growers Association on Friday. Looking at the huge increase for 2007-corn acres projected in USDA's March 30 Planting Intentions Report, the key question is: Will there be...

VINELAND The city is in the early stages of developing a year-round, indoor farmers market that would offer a variety of fresh fruits, vegetables and ethnic foods. Surveys of downtown shoppers and merchants conducted last year indicated a farmers market could be successful on Landis Avenue, said Sandy Forosisky, the city s redevelopment director. The indoor market fits Vineland s downtown revitalization plan, which calls for creating unique shopping experiences to draw more people to the...