Although the large biotech companies - Monsanto in particular - continue to claim that genetically modified foods pose no risk to human health, much of the research on which these claims have been based has been called into question. In this video, Masaharu Kawata, Professor of Microbiology from Japan’s University of Nagoya critically analyses Monsanto’s research. He concludes that the research provided by Monsanto to the Japanese Government, which culminated in the release of genetically modified soy into Japan during the early 1990s, was misleading. Professor Kawata outlines significant discrepancies between Monsanto’s US-based research and that which was provided to Japan’s Health Authorities. Professor Kawata concludes that Monsanto...

Cotton is grown from Brazil to West Africa. Unfortunately, the conditions for cotton growers in many of the world’s poorer regions are not the same as those enjoyed in, for example, the United States. Organophosphate and organochloride pesticides are routinely applied to conventional cotton crops in many developing countries. This is despite the fact that these chemicals have long since been banned in Western countries. It is estimated that 220,000 farmers die from pesticide poisoning each year, while approximately 1 million farmers suffer from adverse health consequences as a result of pesticide exposure. The following documentary, which was produced by the UK’s Pesticide Action Network, looks at the differences between organic...

Worm castings are great for feeding house plants, adding to seedling mixes and potting soils or top-dressing around plants. Worms like to eat food wastes such as vegetables and fruit peelings, pulp from the juicer, tea bags, crushed egg shells and bread. They also like small amounts of soiled paper and cardboard (such as shredded egg cartons). One of the great things about worm composting is that you don’t need a large garden. Worms can be kept outside, inside, on the balcony or in the garage and are especially ideal for units. In this video, Ellen Telander - Executive Director of the Recycling Association of Minnesota, explains the basics of worm composting. This is a nice introduction to worm farming from an organization dedicated to...