horticulture Archive

  • frog

    Save your rivers, eat a New Zealand apple? - by frog



    Most people these days are used to thinking about the “carbon footprint” of consumer goods, and know about the concept of “food miles”. But have you ever thought about the “virtual water content” of your food? I hadn’t, so found this story in New Zealand Farmers Weekly quite fascinating. Apparently, about 6.5 litres of water [...] read more
    March 24, 2010 2:34 pm - 25 Comments
  • Catherine Delahunty

    Endosulfan Tip of the Toxic Iceberg - by Catherine Delahunty



    It is a great day for worms, tomatoes and humans. The toxic pesticide endosulfan has finally been banned. This seriously toxic chemical was banned in 55 countries but 18 Councils around Aotearoa have been using it regularly on sports fields to kill worms that made bumps in the turf. Tomato and citrus growers have been [...] read more
    December 16, 2008 5:46 pm - 16 Comments
  • frog

    Horticulture NZ launches new CoOL campaign - by frog



    Horticulture New Zealand and others have launched a new campaign for CoOL, or Mandatory Country of Origin Labelling of food.  It notes that the campaign is pretty simple really – it’s about consumers’ right to know that they are buying: We believe Kiwi shoppers deserve the right to choose. CoOL is not a ‘buy local’ [...] read more
    November 4, 2008 4:19 pm - 10 Comments
  • frog

    Food chemicals pose cancer risks for growers - by frog



    I thought gardening might be soothing, but according to research released this week by Massey University’s Centre for Public Health Research workers in plant nurseries are four times more likely to develop the cancer Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, with apple and pear growing associated with a five-fold risk. The researchers attribute this risk to exposure to the [...] read more
    February 6, 2008 9:45 am - 12 Comments