It's not only the world's bees that are dying off - birds are also now threatened by pesticides. The message of 'Silent Spring' is on the way back.

New research has identified the world’s most widely used insecticides as the key factor in the recent reduction in numbers of farmland birds.
The finding represents a significant escalation of the known dangers of the insecticides and follows an assessment in June that warned that pervasive pollution by these nerve agents was now threatening all food production.

Details:
http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2014/jul/09/neonicotinoids-farmland-birds

Bass Coast Business Awards

Bass Coast Shire is running its Business Awards programme again this year. One of the categories is the People's Choice Award - where customers can  nominate any business operating within the Shire.Nominations for People’s Choice close 5.00pm Friday, 8 August 2014.
Customers can nominate Freeranger Eggs on the voting site http://www.basscoast.vic.gov.au/Business/Bass_Coast_Business_Awards/Vote_Now!_Peoples_Choice_Award
Just by nominating a business, customers can win a $250 shopping voucher.

Sense at last in Australia (maybe)

With a bit of luck, we hope that Australia has avoided the prospect of 'freedom fighters' wreaking havoc throughout the country.

There has been massive community unrest over decisions made by national politicians - but potentially the most damaging problems have been caused by the ultra right-wing Queensland state government which ignored the normal legal processes everyone thought were part of our civilization.

Now after a stinging election result, the Queensland premier is making noises to curb his vicious approach to people. We expect that Australia's embarrassing Prime Minister will also tone down his attack on the Australian population (as well as his allegations against the Russians and his Foreign Minister's allegations against the Chinese Government.

UK free range producers back our stand on stocking densities

An article in the  British Free Range Egg Producers Association magazine backs our view that the Australian egg industry needs to encourage more small-scale free range farms rather than the mega farms which are add-ons to existing cage or barn facilities.
Here's a story they ran following comments by Aussie poultry vet Dr Peter Scott confirming that intensive 'free range' is not the way to go.
http://theranger.co.uk/News/Leading-vet-warns-that-Australian-free-range-and-intensive-units-should-be-kept-apart_24058.html

This article should help to reinforce the push for a realistic definition of the term'free range' which hopefully will be established by the Ministers for Consumer Affairs when they next meet.

Once there is a clear definition, there is expected to be a massive increase in interest in establishing free range farms. This sector of the industry has been  depressed by  corporate producers who dominate the market with their deceptive practices in labelling intensively produced eggs as 'free range'.

There is strong demand for our  eBook and our workshops on setting up a free range farm - and once legislation is in place, that demand is likely to become an avalanche.