Summary of newspapers of the previous days – 9. 1. – 11.1. 2009

Reserves of vaccines against bluetongue

A sufficient amount of vaccine as a protective measure against catarrhal sheep fever invoked by the virus serotype 1 has been released from reserves in federal countries of Germany Hesse, Saarland, Baden-Württenberg and Rheinland –Westfalen. The Ministry of Environment of Northern Rheinland –Westfalen with a seat in Mainz reported that viruses of the serotype 1 were spread in France from North Afrika and could reach also Germany this year. The present vaccination against the serotype 8 did not protected cattle and sheep against infection of other serotypes.

Genetically modified soya damages nature in Argentina

A year ago a free trade association Mercosur replaced the United States at a position of the biggest feeding soya producer. However, Indian, agricultural and ecological organization operating n the area Cono Sur in the south Argentina warn against growing of genetically modified (GM) crop-plants. According to them they case unemployment, poverty and a lack of food. Moreover, the modified soya has negative impacts on health, climate and soil quality and leads to a monopoly of foreign firms, as a reporting server Latinamerica Press wrote.

Food inspection checked beef meat originating from Ireland

In connection with the case of dioxin-contaminated meat from Ireland the State Agricultural and Food Inspection (SZPI) checked an origin of packed meat in trade chains. A primary information told only about contamination of pig meat (see press release of SZPI from the 9th of December 2008), however, lather the Irish food safety office found out that also Irish beef meat was inflicted, though at less extent. However, no information which would confirmed that the mentioned contaminated beef meat was imported in the CR has been received till this time by the Early-warning System for foods and feeds by means of which EU member states inform mutually about dangerous foods.

Yields of hard wheat and soys in various ways of land preparation

A way of land cultivation has a significant influence on soil quality, its fertility, economic return, human labour and energy need. In tests which took place in central Italy an influence of without-tillage cultivation of land and a classical way of cultivation on yields of hard wheat (Triticum durum) and soya (Glycine max) was monitored. The experiments were founded in 1986. A sixteen-year average (1990-2005) of yields in hard wheat in without-tillage cultivation was by 8,9 % less against the classical one (3,97 vs. 4,36 t.ha-1).