EU Opens Way for More GM Crops

After years of haggling, European Union politicians signed a law today with the likely result that new genetically modified crops will be grown in Europe. The deal also allows member nations to ban GM products in their own countries even if approved by the EU Commission.

An industry group representing various small fast food franchisees as well as large companies such as McDonald’s Corporation, was in federal court Tuesday trying to get an injunction stopping Seattle’s planned increase of the minimum wage to $15, calling it a constitutional violation. They argue that the law, set to begin its initial phase-in on April 1, treats small fast food franchisees the same as the massive corporations with which they have deals.

The wee country of Luxembourg is trying to boost its organic farm sector as demand has outstripped supply there. New legislation hopes to spur growth with increased financial aid for organic farmers.

The Catholic Church in Kenya has opened up more than 3,000 acres of its landholdings for farming in an attempt to increase food production, boost employment and “improve quality of life for the people.”

The first commercially cultivated truffle in the United Kingdom was recently unearthed in Leicestershire by Dr. Paul Thomas, who planted the fungus at multiple farm sites around Britain nearly a decade ago. While these “black diamonds” once flourished in the wild throughout the region, the loss of forests and modern agricultural practices have nearly wiped them out.