Wagon jump Eastern on organic

Last year, 96 percent of the world accounted for sales of organic products of the United States and the EU Western countries. Eastern European countries are however increasingly discover the benefits of organic.

The booming global organic market was worth an estimated EUR 33 billion ($ 43 billion) year 2006.Obwohl Eastern European countries only a tiny part of this market represented was the production of organic farming and were once known for its industrial assemblies and grey apartment buildings on a steady rise in the region.

Thanks to the increasing income and environmental awareness, start domestic markets emerge in the region. Experts say that Poland and Czech Republic the largest markets for organic products, followed by Hungary. According to Tom Vã¡clavã­k, who runs a Czech organic consulting company called green marketing bought Czech consumers were estimated at 18 million worth of organic in 2006. This can be a drop in the bucket compared to Germany-Europe's largest organic market which is but a amounting to €3.9 billion triple growth period of five years expected could. "Rising demand is incredible", said Vã¡clavã­k. "The market combined 80 percent grew in the last two years." The demand is really mainly in large cities.The media are also increasingly concerned about the quality of food production. "RIPE for investment home organic production was due to an interest in organic products unable to keep up with demand." Organic products mainly from Germany, the Netherlands, Italy France and even the United Kingdom come, "said Vã¡clavã­k." "In the field" processed food ", I'd say it could be 60 or even 70% are imported. This is a common history across Eastern Europe where organic products mainly raw such as e.g. grain-wheat, rye and barley- and berries, some fruits and vegetables. There is currently little investment in processing and production of organic were in the region. "I think the market is ripe for new investment and new products," said Vã¡clavã­k. "The market is still in the early stages of development, but it is pretty cheap to invest." "It will be more expensive in five years." Expansion of farmland The expansion of organic farmland in Eastern Europe are fueling the growing Eastern European domestic markets and the booming Western markets. In 2006, approximately 280,000 acres (ha 692,000) under production, Poland had the Czech Republic 220,000 hectares and Hungary 130,000 Hektar--make these three countries the market leaders. But there is reason to believe that organic production in other Eastern European countries and will pick up. "Looking the Western markets demand outstripping supply in many areas,", said Vã¡clavã­k. "There is the lack of milk, meat and organic feed, which has produced his somewhere." "I think some of the new EU countries like the Czech Republic, Romania and Bulgaria, but the Slovakia could produce organic products." Europe organic grain basket Other important newcomer to the organic scene is the Ukraine. 240,000 Hectares in production, it is the second major producer in Central and Eastern Europe. The vast majority Ukraine's organic farms more than 3,000 hectares are großen--. By Eugene Milovanov of the organic Federation of Ukraine production still mainly on wheat for export is limited. "Ukraine already developed agricultural and environmental agricultural country," said Milovanov."It was the grain basket of Europe in ancient times and it becomes organic grain basket of Europe now always.""If you look closely what happens to the demand in the Netherlands, Germany and United Königreich--these countries have a great demand for cereals, and was a great lack of Ukrainian provides already covered this year."Milovanov says Ukraine of organic sector back by the lack of legislation setting kept formed the Government wird.Im in 2004 but a working group on the draft legislation and it is hoped that the Parliament passed the law this year.

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Viet Nam's war against Agent Orange

Viet Nam war not ended in 1975, but the scourge of dioxin contamination of a herbicide known as Agent Orange.

"Agent Orange is much worse than someone the damage inflicted by, at the end of the war thought," said Professor Nguyen trong Nhan, Vice President of the Viet Nam victims of Agent Orange Association (VAVA).

Millions of gallons of Agent Orange parts of Viet Nam were sprayed between 1962 and 1970.

Professor Nhan, former President of the Red Cross, Vietnamese condemned the action as "Massive violation of human rights of the civilian population and a weapon of mass destruction".

But since the Viet Nam war, Washington has refused, no moral or legal responsibility for the toxic legacy said be caused by Agent Orange in Viet Nam.

The legacy of unresolved and U.S. denials of responsibility raised three Vietnamese, unprecedented legal action in January 2004.

The applicants alleged war crimes against Monsanto Corporation, Dow Chemical and eight other companies used Agent Orange and other powerful resources produced in Viet Nam.

The case was by VAVA, was launched, set up an international campaign, justice and compensation for Agent Orange victims win to promote.

Weinstein began preliminary hearings in January in the United States Federal Court in New York, chaired by senior judge Jack.

Birth defects

Agent Orange was developed to defoliate jungle and therefore guerrillas deny Vietcong cover.

There one contained the most virulent poisons known to man, a tribe of dioxin TCCD called.

First it killed the rainforest, stripping bare jungle.

To reach the dioxin spread its toxic to food which some say chain - time then led to a proliferation of birth deformities.

In a small community in the heavily sprayed Cu Chi district battles the family of 21-year-old Tran Anh Kiet with the problems of everyday life.

His feet, hands and limbs are twisted and verformt.Er writhes obviously frustrated, and his attempts to speech are limited to applicant and pathetic grunt.

Kiet has less sein.Er stunted body of a 15-year-old, is an adult with a mental age of approximately six plug.

It is what the local villagers called an agent orange baby.

Viet Nam has 150,000 other kids as he whose Geburtsfehler - according to the Vietnamese Red Cross records - easily can be traced back Agent Orange exposure their parents during the war, or the use of dioxin contaminated food and water since 1975.

VAVA estimates that 3 million were Vietnamese during the war, exposed to the chemical, and suffer at least one million serious health problems today.

War veterans exposed to the chemical clouds waren.Viele are some farmers that the besprüht.Andere are lived from country a second and third generation of their parents exposure affected.

Some of these victims living in the vicinity of the former U.S. military bases, such as bien Hoa stored Agent Orange in large quantities.

Dr. Arnold Schecter, a leading expert in dioxin contamination in the United States, sample the ground it in 2003, and it found containing TCCD levels 180 million copies over the secure level were set by the U.S. environmental protection agency.

Calls for US help

Professor Nhan is sadly disappointed about the response of the United States into calls to the Vietnamese suffering to help.

"Viet Nam the problem cannot alone solve. Hanoi the U.S. military helped remains of MIAs (missing U.S. soldiers in action) track, and we asked you, respond with humanitarian aid for victims of Agent Orange", he said.

Approximately 10,000 U.S. veterans who exposed to Agent Orange receive disability benefits for different types of cancer and other serious health problems associated with dioxin.

"American victims get from Agent Orange up to $1500 per Monat.jedoch most get Vietnamese families affected around 80,000 Dong per month (just over $5 dollars) in government support for each disabled child", said Professor Nhan.

When former President Bill Clinton Hanoi four years ago visited, Vietnamese President has Tran Duc long a call to the United States "to recognize their responsibility and de mine, former military bases and assistance for victims of Agent Orange to detoxify".

But Washington offered nothing on the financing of scientific conferences and further research.

Chuck Searcy, Vice President of Viet Nam Veterans Memorial Fund based in Hanoi, said: "I am amazed that the United States is not even a small gesture of cooperation and support of the Vietnamese beyond the endless talk about scientific research via.Metro offered such a move would eliminate the talk of war crimes liability or victim complaints."

The Vietnamese legal battle against formidable U.S. corporate opponents is heard in the same court as the previous action of American war veterans.

It throws US companies knowingly permitting Agent Orange for military purposes in violation of the 1925 Geneva Protocol prohibiting of the use of chemical and biological agents are sprayed.

But the legal team representing hope Monsanto and other U.S. companies go the case to court to stop.

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Wriggly wonder - culture of the good worm

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Most people will squirm at the sight of worms, but one scientist thinks nothing about grabbing a handful of the wriggling creatures. She is on a crusade to clear the bad reputation of worms.

It is easy to locate Dr Hasnah Md Jais’ office in the vast campus of Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) in Penang. Just ask for the cacing (worm) lady and most USM staffers will point you in the right direction.

Since 2000, the associate professor has researched into vermiculture, which is the process of using earthworms to convert organic waste into fertiliser.

Most of us will squirm and cringe at the sight of earthworms but not Hasnah. When checking on her worm bins, she gleefully lifts up a wriggling handful with her bare hands and points them out with childlike delight. She displays a loving affection towards the worms, which she describes as “misunderstood creatures.”

“Most people think they are inferior and dirty. This mindset has to be changed. Worms are actually helpful animals that promote a healthier environment. A common misconception is that they are diseased but only certain worms are harmful to us. A majority of them are beneficial to mankind.”

Hasnah got interested in worms when studying the use of mycorrhiza fungi (fungi which grow on plant roots and share a beneficial association with their hosts) as a method of producing bio-fertiliser (fertiliser generated through biological means). In the course of her research, she discovered that plants grew better in soil rich in organic debris and worms. This led her to believe that earthworms work hand-in-hand with bio-fertiliser. She then began studying earthworms, combining her bio-fertiliser research with vermiculture to come up with what she calls “bio-organic fertiliser.”

Natural disposal method

Malaysians are projected to discard nine million tonnes of waste annually by 2010. Waste disposal and clean-ups will cost more too, in future. Some common disposal methods are landfills, incinerators and composting.

Since almost 65% of our waste is organic stuff, Hasnah believes vermiculture (which is a type of composting method) can be an option - one which produces a valuable product, organic fertiliser. She says vermiculture allows consumers to treat their organic waste at source, thus reducing their reliance on other waste disposal methods.

“Some 80% of landfills are saturated, meaning only 20% is operating. Organic waste in landfills causes pollution and diseases, as well as emits odour. The sludge they produce is also toxic to animals,” says Hasnah.

She says incinerators have their fair share of problems and public objection, too. “They are expensive to run and there are concerns over disposal of the ash. At the same time, burning waste is bad because of pollution, fires and health hazards. And when we burn, all the nutrients in the waste are lost.”

So, for Hasnah, the best way to handle organic waste is through composting. “It can alleviate landfill problems and is more likely to be accepted by communities than the other methods because it is environment-friendly,” she says. She adds however, that composting is good only for organic material.

There are three types of composting: active and passive composting, and vermiculture. Passive composting involves piling organic waste on one spot to decompose. It is a simple but slow process that takes between six months to two years, and faces problems such as pathogen, weeds, and un-decomposed carbon. Organic material also needs to be added continuously.

Active composting takes a shorter time, between two and eight weeks, but requires more labour as the waste heap needs to be turned regularly to ensure it is oxygenated. The problem with this method is that the final product may not be fully degraded. Plants using it will not grow well as it lacks certain nutrients.

Treatment

That brings us to vermiculture (or worm composting) which, according to Hasnah, is a relatively simple process as long as one has the right materials - a bin to keep the worms, a regular supply of organic waste and obviously, lots of worms.

“It is simple, quick and convenient as you can do it anywhere in the house. You can hang up the bin or place it on the ground. It doesn’t take up a lot of space,” she says.

The worm composting bins do not emit odours. Usually in compost heaps, it is the rotting organic material that smells but in vermiculture, these are eaten by the worms. So, there should not be any odours from the bin - unless there is too much food for the worms to handle. A special group of earthworms is needed for the job - epigeic worms, which are earthworms that do not burrow but live on ground surfaces. Their excreta is a valuable organic fertiliser, being rich in humus and microorganisms.

There are some 3,000 worm species globally but only five are known to be good for vermiculture. They include the brandling or tiger worm (Eisenia fetida), red worm (Lumbricus rubellus) and the blue worm (Perionyx excavatus), which is common in Malaysia.

Worm composting leaves behind worm casting and worm wash (or worm tea, the liquid left in the bin). The casting obtained from vermiculture is superior to other composting products as it is rich in humus, contains a balance of nutrients and has neutral pH (neither acidic nor alkaline). Therefore, it can be used as organic fertiliser or soil conditioner.

The worm tea collected from the bottom of the bin is useful as a natural pesticide. “If you spray the liquid on the leaves of plants, fungus will not attack them,” assures Hasnah.

Besides the benefits to plants, vermiculture products reduce use of chemicals. “Using worms will produce the organic matter which the soil lacks and so there is less need for chemicals. A farmer can halve his chemical use by using organic fertiliser from vermiculture. So he can also save money.”

Vermiculture can also be a potential commercial enterprise. The worms can double their population within two and a half months and the more worms you have, the more waste is treated. Worm populations increase in geometric progression, meaning that the more you have, the more the worms will breed. If one starts off with 2,000 worms (about 1kg), that number will grow to one million within a year.

If each worm costs five sen (based on Australian prices, which are among the lowest in the world), Hasnah projects that one will have RM50,000 worth of worms in a year. In two years, one will have RM50mil worth of worms.

On top of that, the casting can be sold for a good price. In the United States, worm casting sells for almost three times the price of other compost and six to 12 times the price of raw manure.”

What’s in store

At the USM campus, a “worm house” has been built for vermiculture research. Completed in early July, the building is now full with heaps of newspapers, shredded oil palm waste and garden cuttings; all waiting to be devoured by the worms. Hasnah and her assistants study the efficiency of the worms and the quality of casting that results from the different wastes.

Only 2% of Malaysians compost their waste. So Hasnah’s goal is to expand the use of vermiculture. ”I hope Malaysians will be more aware of their own waste and treat it at source, because all the materials they need can be obtained from the soil.” For the public’s convenience, she plans to sell a worm-composting bin, together with a supply of worms. With these, people will have the means to manage their own organic waste at home.

There is already public demand for the technology but the setback is in getting someone to breed the worms. To overcome this obstacle, Hasnah has a pilot project in Kedah where she teaches rural folks to breed worms. She hopes to get enough supply for commercial use at the end of the year.

She says the Agricultural Department in Perlis is composting padi stalks with worms, so the waste need no longer be burnt. She hopes vermiculture technology will catch on in the agricultural sector here, just like how it has in the sugar cane industry in Cuba.

In Vancouver (Canada) where I studied, there is a law that encourages people to treat their organic waste with worms. The authorities gave away worms for free but the residents have to buy the bins,” she says. “The people then have to dispose of their own organic waste. They are not allowed to throw it away or they will be fined. I hope that one day, Malaysia will have something similar.”

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Wal-Mart goals the organic market

It hit supermarket chains in by selling food cheaper than anyone else, now the discount guide who wants ecological niche.

NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) - Wal-Mart, the world's largest retailer, pushes organics with a vengeance.

Who stands to benefit?Organically inclined consumers because Wal-Mart price busting mentality.

Who should be very afraid? competitors such as whole foods (research), wild oats (research) and other chains, are aggressive expansion in this area or have either built your business on the sale of "natural foods".

Wal-Mart (research)'s already the No. 1 seller of food, a category, it entered its first Supercenter opened save it in 1988.Today the company sells fruit and vegetables, milk, bread and other packaged foods in almost 2,000 Supercenter stores and about 100 smaller neighborhood market locations.

Organic foods like milk, and the retailer introduced only five years ago in the mix to.

Industry observers believe Wal-Mart hesitated, wholeheartedly in the lucrative 15 billion dollars-Organics market to diving, because it don't think more expensive natural foods were a good fit with the core low-income consumers.

Not mehr.Heute it's all about Organics and "going green" at Wal-Mart, not just in food but in clothing and even in electronics and other products for the budget, in particular, as the company strives, their profit margins, expand find new growth opportunities and appeal to less price-sensitive customers.

Wal-Mart spokeswoman Karen Burke said the retailer's already his organic selection in fresh produce, dairy and dry foods this year has doubled although it refused you to say, exactly how many bio-food units currently on the discounter's shelves are stored.

"Many customers told us, that some sort of bio product or others interested in sind.So we wanted to make it easy for you to buy it at a Wal-Mart", said Burke, added that Wal-Mart hopes the low price leader in organics.

Among other initiatives, the retailer launches a line of organic cotton baby clothing in may under its private label "George" and organic infant formula will also organic cotton t shirts einzuführen.Es than to sell part of this year's back-to-school offers.

Also eat Wal-Mart wants that "healthy" concept into the environment, to take home and electronics.

To this end Wal-Mart has promised to buy more fish from sustainable fisheries, it is selling more energy-saving light bulbs and asks all its laptop manufacturers to develop more eco machines, to limit the use of hazardous components in you.

From niche to mass market

Holly givens, spokeswoman for the Organic Trade Association (OTS), Wal-Mart sees increased interest in the organics market as a positive development for the industry and consumers.

"At any time a retailer looks to expand in Organics, it's good news for shoppers, because to get more access to these products", she said.

On the provider side thinks could Wal-Mart stamp of approval superior a tremendous incentive for non-organic farmers, promoting their sales to Wal-Mart offer expansion in organic food production as a way.

"Organics is only about 2 percent of all food and beverage sales in the U.S., but the market is growing 20 percent per Jahr.Das is much faster than the 2 to 4 percent growth for organic food sales," said given.

Wal-Mart foray into organics to the reduction in prices for consumers, said Craig Johnson, President of the retail consulting group customer growth partners.

"" Wal-Mart Gets a bad rap for many Dinge.Leute say Wal-Mart pushes its suppliers too much and doesn't hurt your business, because it will pass these savings on to consumers through lower prices, ", said Johnson."But as these intermediaries, Wal-Mart has also helped its suppliers to achieve more efficient and cost savings in their businesses."

Givens rejected an opinion about whether Wal-Mart policy pricing of is organic food farmers differently as to say that she believed it was important that organic farmers "are able to earn a living doing what you do."

Can the whole foods to Wal-Mart get?

Natural food sellers of whole foods, wild oats, Trader Joe's and even conventional supermarkets that have a small mixture of organic products have to be very careful with the Wal-Mart due to the size and volume of business generated it, said Andrew Wolf, analyst at BB & T capital markets.

"If Wal-Mart decides on pursuing ever even if its is tangent relating to which involved whole foods or wild oats, it has with caution to be mentioned" Wolf said.

In fact, whole foods investors have taken note with the stock after below around 21 percent year to-Date.jedoch share the rival wild oats better, was 43 percent wins this year so far.

If Wal-Mart threat spooking investors was would then both companies stock headed south, have sagte.Laut wolf wolf who has a "hold" rating on the stock exchange, whole foods still logging double-digit annual sales but the retailer has ratcheted up its new store growth and is affecting the baseline and pressure on the stock.

"" No doubt Wal-Mart is a Anliegen.Dies a franchise is that has a reputation for providing great value middle and low-income customers, said Wolf."Right now I see also not much of a customer overlap between whole foods and Wal-Mart."Whole foods in the same markets like Wal-Mart to operate with a higher income shopper."

Johnson agreed with Wolf.

"" I dont Wal-Mart as a major threat to whole foods now sehen.Es is gaining a lot of market share in organic,"said Johnson.""The diversity of its customer base is to steal away immediately to Groß.So instead of customers of whole foods, I think Wal-Mart the natural food market successfully to low and moderate income buyer extend it could. the strategy to the upscale certainly fits with Wal-Mart move but in a limited way."

Sonja Tuitele, spokeswoman for wild oats, the company said Wal-Mart Organics initiatives definitely aware was not too worried.

"We can do this from two nähern.Es is very little overlap between our buyer different angles and whale MartWir are a specialty retailer and our customers about the price first focus", said Tuitele.

"" The other way, is that it is a good thing because Wal-Mart could help make more people food available better quality, which is also better for the environment, to look at it,"she said.""Maybe these people come to wild oats today because of the high prices but at least you'll start thinking, you decide what you put into your body sind.sobald, lead an organic lifestyle, then we come over to us for greater variety of products and training, that for the consumer to provide a healthier lifestyle."

Whole foods could be reached immediately for comment.

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Work begins on the national Australian national organic standard

Standards Australia is Australia's first national domestic organic standard to develop supporting has widespread industry, consumers and Government.

Work has started on a new Australian standard for organic products including fruit and vegetables, meat and processed foods.The new Australian standard can also organic products, cosmetics and skin care products betreffen.Es will support consumer confidence in organic products from retailers and restaurants sold through that.

Deputy Managing Director of standards Australia, said Mr Colin Blair, Australian standard will provide a framework for the organic industry and will deal with production, processing, marketing and transportation."" It also provides clear definitions of is what organic and what is not "Mr Blair said.""He said"this new Australian standard will free up until the confusion once and for all,"."He said "this will be the first Australian standard for domestic organic market and after it will have widespread industry, consumers and Government support".

The development of the new Australian standard agreed to at the first meeting on Monday 7 of the Committee:

Use the Australian Quarantine and inspection service organic standard currently export as a basis for the new Australian standard for the domestic industry used; and to ensure that all important represented stakeholders are the balance of the Committee on development of the standard to reconsider.

The new Australian standard is:

Specifically dealing with unprocessed plants, animals and other organisms to human or animal use cultivated either directly or after processing;type requirements for primary production, transport and storage, preparation and packaging and marketing of organic produce; and establishing definitions for the terminology used in the industry, to remove ambiguity.

According to the organic Federation of Australia, Australian of organic sector was estimated at $ 500 million.Australia has between 6-15 per cent increase for a year while growing consumption by 25-40 percent per year.

The organic industry in Australia is currently self regulated with eight bio certification groups plus several overseas groups.A variant of ecological standards of the Australian Quarantine and inspection service (AQIS) use each of these groups developed for export.It is expected that the new Australian standard will replace that several variations of the AQIS standard currently used by farmers.

While standards Australia of the new Australian standard will develop it in the certification of producers or retailers who claim the standard to meet his must participates not standards Australia's role.

The decision to develop the new Australian standard by the organic Federation of Australia and a survey of more than 30 organic grower groups, industry bodies, certifiers, associations, consumer groups, retailers and government organisations asked few Australian standard with a number of organizations showed majority in favour of a new survey, the concern about the way the industry operates currently to bring.

The new Australian standard will be first voluntary, but the Council Australian primary industry, represents the State, territory and federal Governments, would you regulate the industry, specified using the new Australian standard after.

Industry during the development process standards concerns be published a draft of the Australian standard for public comment during the development process be scanned.the new Australian standard will be expected to 2008 completed.

Organisations invited, part of the Committee on development of the new standard will include:

• Australian food and food of Council.
• Australian dealer company.
• Biological farmers Australia / Australian certified organic.
• Bio-dynamic agriculture Australia.
• Bio dynamic Research Institute.
• Consumer Federation of Australia.
• Department of agriculture, fisheries and forestry.
• Department of primary industries and water, Tasmania.
• National Association for sustainable agriculture (NASAA).
• Organic Federation of Australia (owner).
• Organic Federation of Australia (processors).
• Organic industry export of Advisory Committee (OIECC).
• Organic dairy farmers cooperative Ltd.
• Organic grower's Association of Western Australia.
• Organic traders & consumer network.
• Secure food Queensland.

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Woolworths accepts macro of wholefoods

Woolworths continue to roll out their Thomas DUX grocer stores in New South Wales and Victoria, with its agreement to acquire up to nine store leases macro wholefoods.

Woolworths Ltd will extend your Thomas DUX grocer stores in New South Wales and Victoria with the acquisition of store of leases of macro of wholefoods.

Woolworths has currently two Thomas DUX stores in Paddington and Lane Cove in Sydney.

The deal will see up to eight existing macro memory as Thomas DUX bit formats.

Thomas DUX general manager Pat McEntee said macro of wholefoods acquisition would provide the ideal platform for the development of Thomas DUX network.

Mr McEntee said "Macro of wholefoods sites in Sydney and Melbourne in popular locations are positioned, are desirable and accessible to our target market, said Mr McEntee,".

This includes the acquisition of a development site and the macro organic private label brand.

Existing macro staff these transactions are offered roles in Thomas dux or other Woolworths trademarks.

Specific details of the acquisition were commercial in confidence and not published.

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WHO are indoor use of DDT a clean bill of health for the control of malaria

Almost thirty years after expiry control spraying with DDT and other insecticides, malaria, the widespread use of within the World Health Organization (WHO) today announced that this intervention will again play an important role in efforts to combat the disease. WHO now recommends the use of indoor residual spraying (IRS), not only in epidemic areas, but also in areas with constants and high malaria transmission, including throughout Africa.

"The scientific and programmatic evidence clearly this re-evaluation supports", said Dr. Anarfi Asamoa Baah, WHO Assistant Director-General for HIV/AIDS, TB and malaria."Indoor residual spraying is useful to quickly the number of infections by malaria-carrying mosquitoes to reduzieren.IRS proved just as inexpensive preventive measures such as other malaria and DDT is no risk to health when properly."

WHO promoted actively indoor residual spraying for malaria control until the early 1980s, if increased health and environmental concerns around the Organization to promote its use to stop DDT and caused to other means of prevention focus instead.Extensive research and testing has shown since that well-managed indoor residual spraying programs by using DDT be harm to animals or people.

"We need based take a position on the science and the data", Dr Arata Kochi, Director of the WHO's said"malaria programs global."One of the best tools we have against malaria is in residual house spray. "The dozen insecticides WHO as approved safe for house spraying is the most effective DDT."

Indoor spray residual, is to kill the application of long-acting insecticides on the walls and roofs of the houses and pet shelters to malaria-carrying mosquitoes landing on these areas.

Indoor spraying is like a giant mosquito net on an entire budget around the clock protection, grant, said U.S. Senator Tom Coburn, a leading advocate for global malaria control efforts. "Finally lead to the question is unique with WHO we can junk e science myths that have provided aid and comfort to the real enemy - mosquitoes - to rest the lives of more than 300 million children each year to compromise."

Views on the use of insecticides for indoor protection from malaria have changed in recent years. Environmental defense, the DDT campaign in the 1960s started, the interiors of DDT for malaria control, such as the Sierra now supports Club and endangered wildlife trust.The before recently launched President's Malaria initiative (PMI) last year announced that it would fund spraying on the inside also DDT walls of households, to prevent the disease.

"I expect that all 15 country programs of President of Bush's $1.2 billion commitment to malaria deaths in half will cut contain significant indoor residual spraying activities including many who use the DDT", said Admiral R. Timothy Ziemer, President's Malaria initiative Coordinator."Because it is relatively inexpensive and very effective, USAID supports the spraying of houses with insecticides as part of a balanced and comprehensive malaria prevention and treatment program."

Programmatic evidence shows that the correct and timely use of indoor residual spraying can reduce malaria transmission by up to 90 percent. In the past could India DDT effectively indoor residual spray to use to drastically cut the number of malaria cases and deaths.South Africa has again reintroduced DDT for indoor residual malaria case fatality low keeping numbers on an all-time and malaria are elimination towards sprühen.Heute, 14 countries in sub-Saharan Africa use IRS and 10 use of DDT.

At today's Press Conference of WHO calls all programmes of malaria control throughout the world to develop and insecticides outline a clear statement your position on indoor spraying with long lasting as DDT, specify where and how syringes carried out guidelines and how they will offer all possible will support in accordance with the WHO to speed up and manage this intervention effectively.

"" All development agencies and endemic countries must in accordance with Act WHO position on the use of DDT for indoor residual spraying, ", said Richard TREN, Director of Africa fight against malaria.""Donors must help in particular, WHO provide technical and programmatic support so that these interventions are used properly.

Indoor spray residual, is one of the most important interventions WHO now is promoting, to control and eliminate malaria worldwide.A second is the widespread use of insecticide-treated mosquito nets.While the use of mosquito nets long was by WHO, the recent development of "Long lasting insecticides networks has encouraged" (LLINs) has dramatically improved their usefulness.Unlike its predecessors the long lasting networks in buckets of insecticide every six months re-dipped must be how you remain in effect for five years without reprocessing.

Finally are for those who become ill, more effective drugs ultimately with malaria zunehmend.Im unlike previous antimalarials that rendered useless in many regions due to drug resistance to artemisinin are now combination therapies Act () empfohlen.Diese life-saving drugs increasingly more widespread in the whole Welt.Im January of this year, WHO taken strict measures to future resistance to avoid medication against malaria by banning the use of malaria monotherapy haben.Ein example of the negative consequences of drug resistance is evident in the threat that represents it for intermittent preventive treatment in pregnancy (IPTp), a crucial strategic intervention to protect pregnant women from the effects of malaria.

Possible financing scale up the availability of all three of these strategic interventions has in recent years through the establishment of the Global Fund to fight AIDS, TB and malaria, to increase World Bank plans significantly increased funding for malaria and the introduction of President's Malaria initiative.

"With serious money finally getting available to combat malaria, it urgent as ever, WHO offers sound technical advice, program help ensure timely and effective use of those resources", said Dr. Kochi.

Every year more than 500 million people suffer acute malaria, what more than 1 million Todesfälle.Sind at least 86 per cent of these deaths in sub-Saharan Afrika.weltweit an estimated 3,000 children and infants of malaria every day and 10,000 pregnant women from malaria in Africa every year die sterben.Malaria is disproportionately poor man almost 60 percent of malaria cases that occur among the poorest 20 percent of the world population.

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X games skaters turns on organic foods

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Three-time X Games gold medalist Bob Burnquist has won every award skateboarders covet. But while the super huge mega ramp creates death-defying drops what really excites Burnquist is a lot safer organic food.

"In Brazil we don't go out much to eat so mostly its home-cooked food not fast food," says Burnquist, who placed fourth in last nights X Games Vert competition. "I grew up on juices and fruits and vegetables lots of fresh." So when I moved out here in 1995 for skateboarding, my body went into shock - it was totally weird because the food what so different."Even the smoothies here are different than in Brazil where everything is fresh and local."

Burnquist, who will compete in the Vert Best trick competition on Saturday at 6 PM PT and the new mega ramp big air competition on Sunday at 1 PM PT, says the American fast food diet actually hurts his performance.

"When I am the on tour its alot elements to eat healthy because were rushing from skate park to skate park so you cant prepare your own food very easily," Burnquist states. "The guys all eat Burger King and all that, but I make them take me to the market so I can buy fresh food.""I just cant skate and eat fast food."

In fact, Burnquist what having so much trouble finding a healthy place to eat in San Diego County where he now resides that he started his own restaurant, melody.The restaurant featured vegetarian food and some seafood and what primarily organic.

"My preference is for organic food but you cant always get it," says Burnquist, who has a four-year-old daughter with professional skateboarder Jen Larson."I don't mind spending a little more for organic because it really is investing in your health and your own body." "Body preservation in my profession equals a longer career."

Fan appreciation

Despite experiencing "around 25 fractures," Burnquist says he heals extremely quickly because of his healthy diet.But what pains the Brazilian skate champ more is seeing high-profile athletes pitching junk food.

"I skateboard for a living so most of the fans are kids and it bums me out to see guys like Shaq doing Burger King," says the 27-year-old skate legend. "And I love Tony Hawk but I dont get the whole fast food thing?" "When you have that much money, why?"

Because of his daughter, Lotus, and the increasing number of endorsement offers that come his way, Burnquist has been extremely selective about what he pitches.

"I remember being a kid and mimicking whatever the pros did or said or wore" Burnquist explains."I am a dad now so I try to make sure I give the kids a healthy message without being preachy."

Nutrition and health expert John McDougall applauds Burnquists rejection of fast food and eating "high on the food chain."The expert says that Burnquists primarily vegetarian lifestyle and organic eating are big health advantages.

"Organic foods biggest advantage is the removal of toxic chemicals, like synthetic pesticides or herbicides, from the foods themselves," states McDougall, a board certified internist and director of the McDougall program at Santa Rosa, California."The science is quite extensive from major research groups and major publications and demonstrates two broad categories of disease that are strongly linked to these toxic chemicals."One is Parkinson's and other neurological diseases."The other category is cancer, particularly breast cancer."

McDougall says that the damage is likely caused by organophosphates, which are pesticides commonly used in food production.

"Organophosphates are metabolized by most of us fairly efficiently," McDougall says."But some people cannot process them very well so they accumulate and these people develop Parkinson's and other health problems."

While there are other theories about the safety of pesticides, McDougall wonders why people wouldnt avoid these pesticides if you could."They certainly arent a nutritionally necessary part of your diet," notes McDougall, who has written ten best-selling books on health. "These chemicals in our food certainly cause me to go shopping for food break when I."

Burnquist got so frustrated finding good organic food that he actually started his own organic farm Burnquist Organics and invites schools and kids out to see and taste organically grown food for themselves.

"The skate ramp in my backyard usually interests them first and then when they learn who I am the they seem to really get into learning about organic food," Burnquist says."Now organic farming is cool to them."

Going low

But both Burnquist and McDougall note that not everyone can have their own organic farm or even afford to eat organic food which is typically more expensive than factory-farmed foods.

"There are two ways to eat more organic - eating low on the food chain is the most important way," McDougall states. "The lower on the food chain you eat the more likely you are to get chemical and pesticide-free food.""Plants, unless they are high fat like avocados, do not accumulate the pesticides which are fat soluble chemicals."

This concept is called bio-magnification and illustrates that as you move up the food chain more pollutants and chemicals are accumulated. Eating low on the food chain means consuming fruits, grains and vegetables as opposed to meats, poultry, fish and dairy items.

McDougall says the last consumer in the food chain is the infant who is breastfed. Several studies have shown that potentially hazardous amounts of pesticides are detectable in breast milk.Even so, McDougall still stresses that breast feeding is far better for mother and infant than formula.

"Where you pick your foods on the food chain is how you get the majority of your pesticides," McDougall notes."About 90% of the environmental chemicals that get into peoples to bodies are from meat, poultry, eggs, dairy and fish.""These are the major sources of these chemicals."

McDougall therefore recommends that people peel and wash their fruits and vegetables because this is where the chemical residues will accumulate."Peeling and washing your food and eating low on the food chain will reduce your pesticide exposure dramatically," McDougall says.

But even Burnquist recognizes that not everyone should be vegetarian and not everyone can afford to eat organic food.

"Everyone is individual and some people want to eat meat," Burnquist says."My choice is to not eat meat."I just think people should know what is in their food."Meat isnt grown the way it used to be - free range - most cows live in long metal sheds."

Getting some big air is what Burnquist lives for and this weekend is no exception.But despite his love of skateboarding, being a dad is his favorite job.

"Being a dad is the best thing so I want my daughter to believe in what I say," says Burnquist."You have to walk the walk with kids especially."

And Burnquist walks a lot - mostly around his farm.

"Lotus and I cruise around the garden and eat everything were growing," he says."When you touch the soil, it touches your soul."Food doesnt come from a can it comes from the earth.You have to be vigilant about staying healthy.Think about what youre eating."If you eat well, you'll feel better."

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Whole foods market and wild oats marketplace announces merger

Whole foods market, Inc. (WFMI) and wild oats markets (OATS) today announced they a definitive merger agreement signed, under the whole foods market wild oats markets outstanding shares in a cash tender offer of $18.50 per share or about $565 million based on fully diluted shares will purchase.

Transaction highlights:

o whole foods market acquires wild oats markets existing net debt amounting to approximately $106 million as at 30 September 2006 reported.
o whole foods market offers $18.50 per share in bar, a 23% premium to the average closing price of a month.
o transaction value, including debt, will be expected to $700 million.
o transaction at the closing rate with $700 million of senior term loan; financedintends to whole foods market to upsize of your revolving long-term senior credit facility to $ 250 million in connection with the transaction.
o all of whole foods market's stores, with three of its smallest regions, critical mass, 11 operational regions to win and whole foods market a significant number of new markets immediate entry into force
o expected whole foods market significant synergies through savings in G & A greater purchasing power, increased utilization of support facilities and new team member recognize talent.

With annual sales of around 1.2 billion $ wild oats markets is one of the leading retailer of natural and organic food in Nordamerika.Wild Oats was founded in 1987 in Boulder, Colorado and listed on the NASDAQ national market in 1996. The company operates currently 110 shops in 24 States and British Columbia under four banner: wild oats marketplace (nationwide), Henry's farmers market (Southern California), Sun harvest (Texas) and capers Community market (British Columbia).

"Wild oats markets and whole foods market both large and positive impact on the natural and organic food movement in the United States, helping lead the industry had to nationwide acceptance and one of the fastest growing retail today segments in the food", said John Mackey, Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and co-founder of whole foods market. "Have a similar mission and core values our company and we believe create synergies, the long-term value from this combination for our customers, suppliers and shareholders and exciting opportunities for our new and existing team members."

"" The growth opportunity in this category led to increased competition from many players, most of which are dedicated to not natural and organic food supermarkets, but are much greater than we are, "said Mr. Mackey."We have 18 retail acquisitions in our history, acquisitions were made by the many platform from which we have been geographically able to accelerate our growth. Wild oats markets are our largest acquisition and is a large geographic fit, and three of our smallest regions - our Pacific Northwest as all our 11 operational regions receive stores Rocky Mountain and Florida will win critical mass regions-."We are also immediately access in a significant number of new markets."

"We consider integrating acquisitions a core competency and we found, it takes typically up to two years for the transition to our decentralized operations and our incentive programs to implement."We expect that this acquisition be similar and recognize significant synergies through G & A in the course of time cost reduction, greater purchasing power and improved utilization of equipment.We look forward to win many talented team members that our growth target of $12 billion in 2010 sales will offer valuable support.Continue at a rapid pace to develop our business, "continued Mr. Mackey.""We have always through learning from past acquisitions benefits and believe, cause this merger in a company that is much stronger and better for the future."

"As the natural and organic food industry continue to receive attention from more conventional players, the timing for our two companies join forces could not be better", said Gregory Mays, Chairman and CEO of wild oats markets."We believe this strategy is in the best interests of our stakeholders and our Board of Directors has unanimously recommended that wild oats markets shareholders their shares in this offer call."

Whole foods market will evaluate each banner, as well as any business to see as it in the entire brand and real estate strategy passt.Wild Oats markets its basic store were rationalization in recent years, shedding underperforming stores, but some additional store closures are as well as the shift expected some shops where overlap with shops that whole foods market currently in development.Whole foods market expected significant investments into the shops before finally final stage transformation you stores like whole foods market.

Whole foods market has to begin a public offer of the merger agreement February 27, 2007 vereinbart.Das is tender offer for all outstanding shares of wild oats markets at least a majority outstanding wild oats markets shares tendered is, as well as regulatory and other customary closing conditions bedingt.Wild Oats markets' Board of Directors has unanimously recommended that wild oats markets shareholders their shares in the offer Ausschreibung.Die Yucaipa Companies, wild oats markets largest shareholder with about 18% ownership is committed tendering shareholders not is his Aktien.Genehmigung of transaction of whole foods market erforderlich.Das runs takeover bid for 30 days, subject to extension and foods market expected to receipt of the usual regulatory Genehmigungen.Whole currently to close the transaction in April.

RBC capital markets has a fairness opinion to its Board of Directors and serves as financial advisor to whole foods market in connection with the acquisition gerendert.RBC serves also as dealer manager for the proposed Übernahmeangebot.RBC capital markets and JPMorgan co will lead help of debt financing and JPMorgan, as administrative agent for the senior credit facility, whole foods market finding an amendment to upsize of Kreditfazilität.Citigroup corporate capital markets and investment banking serves as financial advisor to wild oats markets.

Whole foods market, today announced, in a separate release of its financial results for the first Quartals.Das company will host a conference call today to discuss these announcements at 4: 00 pm CT.Das dial in number is 1-800-896-8445 and the Conference ID "Whole Foods."A simultaneous audio webcast will be available at the www.wholefoodsmarket.com.

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