Despite most having developed under the umbrella of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), national-level organic farming policy networks in Europe vary. The aim of this paper is to explore the reasons for this variation. Quantitative network analyses were carried out in five ‘old’ and five ‘new’ EU member states and in Switzerland.

http://barfblog.foodsafety.ksu.edu/2009/05/articles/salmonella/calif-pistachio-plant-knowingly-shipped-salmonellatainted-nuts-for-6-months/index.html FRESNO, Calif. -- Food safety inspectors say a California plant at the center of a salmonella scare knew some of its pistachios were tainted but continued shipping nuts for another six months.

The number of confirmed cases of people suffering from the cryptosporidium bug, which is associated with farm visits, has increased to 15. Two days ago it was known that five children in the city had tested positive for the bug, which causes sickness and diarrhoea.

Pool season is upon us, with public swimming pools opening everywhere this Memorial Day weekend. So come on in. The water’s warm. Maybe a little too warm. A new national survey finds that 17 percent of American adults actually admit they pee in the pool.

LA JOLLA, CALIFORNIA, USA AND KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA -- Synthetic Genomics Inc.

AMES, Iowa -- Researchers at Iowa State University have discovered a previously unknown pathway in plant cells that regulates plant growth. Yanhai Yin, an assistant professor in genetics, development and cell biology, examined signaling mechanisms of a plant hormone called brassinosteroids. The hormone controls the growth of cells.

European Union health authorities okayed a Danish application for ‘special status’ earlier this week that will ensure all eggs imported to the country are guaranteed by their distributors as being 100 percent salmonella-free.

Want to know how your favorite restaurant stacks up on health inspections? The Herald is relaunching its online searchable restaurant database, which includes routine and follow-up restaurant inspections provided by the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control. You'll find it at www.heraldonline.com/restaurantinspections.

TK: Posting here the testimony of Steve Hirsch of the Ohio Produce Growers and Marketers Association before the House Agriculture subcommittee on horticulture ealier this month (May 14).  Note Hirsch trumpets the need for state based produce safety solutions and he speaks up for the needs of Amish growers: