Ghana's National Biosafety Authority approved the release of the GE crop BT Cowpea into the environment and market, marking the first GE crop to be approved for use in Ghana. The approval lasts for ten years and is renewable.
On June 10, 2022 a report by the Dutch government on objectives for reduction of nitrogen greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in rural areas was released. It was followed by weeks of farmers protests in the Netherlands. This report gives a chronological...
The Japanese Diet enacted new legislation, the “Act to Promote Environmental Burden Reduction Activities for Establishment of Environmentally Harmonized Food System,” to support adoption of Japan’s Green Food System Strategy by farmers, foresters, and fishermen.
This report highlights the Brazilian biopesticides market and the current developments in the Brazilian legislation for biopesticides. The report focuses on the “on-farm” production of biopesticides, defined as the production of biopesticides at the farm level for non-commercial use. Government agencies and major stakeholders with a deep interest in the topic have listed several pros and cons relative to the matter.
On June 29, 2022, the European Commission (EC) approved one genetically engineered (GE) crop (maize) for food and animal feed. The authorization was published in the European Union’s Official Journal on July 1, 2022 and remains valid for 10 years.
On June 22, 2022, the European Commission adopted its proposal for a new Regulation on the sustainable use of Plant Protection Products (SUR). The rules encourage reducing pesticides through integrated pest management and alternatives to chemical pesticides.
Recently, the New Zealand Primary Sector Climate Action Partnership – He Waka Eke Noa (HWEN) – delivered their recommendations on an alternative agricultural emissions solution to the NZ Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS). In its report, HWEN outlined various recommendations which center around a farm-level split gas levy on emissions.
On August 17, 2021, the European Commission (EC) approved seven genetically engineered (GE) crops (3 corn, 2 soybean, 1 rapeseed, and 1 cotton) and renewed the authorizations for two corn and one rapeseed crop used for food and animal feed.
Attaché Report (GAIN)

European Union: EU Green Deal - July 2021 Update

This quarterly report covers April through June 2021 and provides details on the status of the EU Green Deal objectives and strategies including the Farm to Fork Strategy (F2F), Biodiversity Strategy, the Climate Target Plan, the EU Methane Strategy, and the Circular Economy Action Plan.
The federal government announced details for a $160 million USD program over three years to help farmers adopt beneficial management practices that store carbon and reduce greenhouse gas emissions through cover cropping, nitrogen management, and rotational grazing practices.
Attaché Report (GAIN)

Japan: Japan Publishes Draft 6th Strategic Energy Plan

On July 21, 2021, Japan’s Agency of Natural Resources and Energy (ANRE) published the first public draft of its 6th Strategic Energy Plan.
On July 16, 2021, the European Commission published the EU Forest Strategy for 2030.