The Generator is founded on the simple premise that we should leave the world in better condition than we found it. The news items in this category outline the attempts people have made to do this. They are mainly concerned with our food supply and settlement patterns. The impact that the human race has on the planet.
The fall in global food prices as a result of the economic downturn may have reached the bottom according to international agency GlobalDairyTrade. The agency reported that an increase in spot prices for whole milk powder in late December is a sign that buyers are re-entering the market. As a result of the global economic Continue Reading →
Ethanol producers in NSW do not create sufficient fuel to satisfy the governments mandated 10% content for all petrol sold in the state. Most new plants have stalled in red tape, and lower oil prices have taken the enthusiasm out of the market. Despite this, the NSW government has announced that it will proceed with the regulation. The only existing ethanol producer, Manildra Group, has undertaken a significant expansion program at Nowra on the south coast, but can only provide a maximum of four percent of the state’s consumption.
Northern Territory property is changing hands at a brisk pace as investment moves from the sharemarket to agriculture and the Packer family sells its vast property holdings to UK investor Terra Firma. The family owns 5 million hectares of land, an area about the size of Tasmania which it will sell for $350 million. The Sultan of Brunei formed a consortium that recently purchased five of the Territories largest cattle stations. Climate change models show increased rainfall across Northern Australia.These sales reflect a global trend as northern hemisphere nations with limited land mass invest heavily South of the Equator. Last month Korean company DaeWoo leases one million acres of Madagascar under a 99 year lease.
Farmers in Western Australia are threatening to sue each other over the market impact of genetically modified canola. Major customers for Australian canola, including Japanese and European food processors require GM free food sources but Australian regulations allow up to 0.9 percent presence of genetically modified seed in a GM free crop. International seed companies have publicly claimed that there is almost no risk of accidental cross-pollination across farm fences but have actively sued farmers in Canada, the United States and South America whose crops have accidentally become cross-pollinated, claiming they have stolen intellectual property.
Australia‘s National Farmers Federation NFF will vote this week to change its constitution and allow international corporations to become full members. Traditionally a farmers’ body, the NFF has recently lobbied government on behalf of seed, fertiliser and pesticide companies. A combination of the drought, international financial instability and scandals involving quasi-government organisations such as the Continue Reading →
NFF president, David Crombie, will put a new membership model to its farmer stakeholders next Thursday, attempting to bring about the first major structural change in the organisation’s 30 year history.
Mr Crombie acknowledges the task won’t be an easy one, with five previous attempts at structural and constitutional change over the years all unsuccessful.
But he adds this time round it has been an 18 month process of continual consultation with farmers, members and non-members, and broader industry interests, and he isn’t “springing any surprises” when the proposal is put at the pre-Christmas extraordinary general meeting.