Sales of organic produce in the UK rose 2002 per cent to around £2003 billion or the equivalent of EUR 10,4 billion in the February 1,45/March 21,3 period compared to the same period last year, reports the British growers' association, the Soil Association. This makes Great Britain the world's third largest market for organic products after the USA and Germany. The Loco-Hof value of British production rose by 262 percent to around 56 million euros. Imported products accounted for 14 percent of the total value of goods, 2000 percentage points less than in XNUMX.

The growers' association attributes this development to increased availability and quality of UK organic produce, improved channel structure, retailers' commitment to locally sourced produce and the UK Government's action plan to promote local organic farming. The aim of the action plan is to reduce the proportion of imported products to 2010 percent by 30.

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Almost 2002 million hectares worldwide in 59

According to ISAAA (International Service for the Acquisition of Agribiotech Applications), in 2002 transgenic plants were cultivated on about 16 million hectares in 58,7 countries. The acreage increased for the sixth year in a row.

The major growing countries for transgenic cultures remain the USA, Argentina, Canada and China. Bt (bacillus thuringiensis) cotton was first cultivated in India and Colombia and Bt maize in Honduras in 2002. About a quarter of the area under cultivation of GMO crops was in nine developing countries.

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Bacon should not be missing from fried potatoes

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Degree of self-sufficiency but over 100 percent

Total meat production in the European Union was 2003 million tons in 38,3, according to initial projections by the ZMP. That was almost one percent less than in the previous year. At 36,6 million tonnes, meat consumption was slightly higher than in 2002. In 2003, EU citizens consumed an average of 96,8 kilograms of meat per capita per year, 200 grams more than before. The degree of self-sufficiency fell across the EU by one percentage point to 105 percent.

According to preliminary information, the production of beef and veal fell by a good three percent to 7,33 million tons. At the same time, consumption rose by 1,4 percent to 7,41 million tons. This means that per capita consumption has increased by 100 grams to 19,5 kilograms.

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Researchers call for sustainable harvesting of wild crops

Until now, the "Christmas nuts" common in many European and American households could not be grown in plantations. because Brazil nuts only thrive in the jungle. According to a report in the science magazine Science http://www.sciencemag.org, the stocks of Brazil nut trees are extremely endangered by overharvesting, because too few nuts are left on the trees to sustain the species.

Brazil nuts (Bertholletia excelsa) are actually not nuts at all, but seeds that grow in a capsule weighing up to three kilograms, similar in size to a grapefruit, on trees that are up to 50 meters high and can reach circumferences of up to 16 meters . One such capsule contains ten to 25 seeds. The study team led by Carlos Peres, an expert for tropical areas at the School of Environmental Sciences at the University of East Anglia, examined various Brazil nut populations in the Amazon region. Accordingly, the stocks of young trees are extremely low in these areas, where harvesting is particularly intensive. According to the researchers, "this indicates a disturbed ecosystem, since the natural regeneration cycle has been interrupted". This is evidence that harvesting practices are not sustainable. Brazil's economy with the Brazil nuts, which are otherwise only found in Bolivia and Peru, also speaks a clear language, as 45.000 tons worth 33 million dollars are exported every year.

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Game dishes are traditionally one of the favorites on the festive table, and in addition to hunters and specialist shops, organized retailers also have numerous offers ready. There are fresh goods from German production, but often also imported goods, ready to cook and frozen, because the domestic supply is insufficient for the high demand at the end of the year. In addition to the amount of game meat in the 2002/03 hunting year, Germany imported around 2002 tonnes of game meat from abroad in 28.000, mainly from New Zealand.

Fresh roe deer or stag saddle is one of the most expensive cuts, with prices starting at 30 euros per kilo, but retailers also have cheaper offers. For example steaks, goulash or legs of venison and wild boar at prices between 10 and 20 euros per kilogram. As in the previous year, a fresh rabbit is available at a kilo price of seven to eight euros, and a frozen leg of hare costs around nine to ten euros per kilogram.

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Inclusion in the EU list

Thuringian liver sausage, Thuringian red sausage and Thuringian bratwurst are now included in the European list of foods with “Protected Geographical Indication”. This is intended to protect local manufacturers from imitators and to inform consumers about the origin of the products. Meat products that are sold under one of the three designations must be at least partially made in Thuringia.

With the "protected geographical indication" there is a connection between at least one of the production stages - production, processing or manufacture - and the area of ​​origin. Alternatively, it can be a product with a special reputation. There is also the "protected designation of origin" and the "guaranteed traditional specialty". Agricultural products and food are recorded in the three categories. Altogether there are already about 600 such entries.

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New: Kasper's children's cookbook

Tri tra Trullala - all the ingredients are already there. With Kasper's new children's cookbook, cooking is also great fun for the little ones. Because with the support of the CMA Centrale Marketing-Gesellschaft der Deutschen Agrarwirtschaft mbH, children have put together delicious recipes for their peers.

In Kasper's children's newspaper, the magazine for young and old Kasper fans. was invited to the recipe competition. A jury evaluated all the recipes submitted and then cooked the twelve best for the book. The dishes meet the taste of the little ones and are also very easy to make. Whether fun hamburger, minced meat soup, gourmet skewers or stuffed peppers - warm and cold dishes for big and small appetites whet the appetite for more. The preparation of the delicacies for little tots is explained step by step and in a way that is suitable for children and at the end there is always a tip from Kasper. He explains, for example, which vitamins and minerals are contained in the individual dishes or when sausages in a dressing gown taste particularly good. The winning recipe "potato mice" came from Semia Abdelhamid from Dillingen/Saar. These potato halves, topped with apple slices, Kasseler and ginger cream, are not only delicious, but also visually appealing. These potatoes, cut in half and stuffed, are garnished with rings of peppers, cloves and chives, transforming them into appetizing little mice in no time at all.

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The proportion of three-course menus increases significantly

Christmas is eaten “properly”, i.e. more than just a little something. And then there is not only a main course, but increasingly also dishes with a starter or dessert or both. While a three-course menu is rarely served on normal days of the year, this proportion increases significantly towards the end of the year.

According to the findings of the Consumption and Convenience Monitor commissioned by the ZMP and CMA from the market research company Produkt+Markt, Wallenhorst, only 45 percent of Germans serve a “real meal” on a daily basis; this percentage rises to over 50 percent at Christmas. Of this, a main course with a starter and dessert accounts for an increased share of 14,69 percent, while otherwise only 4,5 percent of the "right" meals are so rich.

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For the next IFFA, which takes place from 15th to 20th May 2004 in Frankfurt am Main, Messe Frankfurt is once again sponsoring each guild bus with 130 euros. In addition, she invites those arriving to a small snack when entering the exhibition grounds.

The advantages of a trip to the IFFA with the guild are obvious. Individuals do not have to plan the tour themselves; he is conveniently driven to the fair by bus and can start the fair day well rested. The buses drive directly to the exhibition center and special ticket offices prevent long waiting times. Thanks to the sponsorship of Messe Frankfurt, a visit to the IFFA becomes an inexpensive excursion.

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