The Institute for European Environmental Policy (IEEP) has published a report attempting to identify, for the first time, the full range of environmental and wider societal benefits arising from European farming.

Fertile soil is being lost faster than it can be replenished, making it much harder to grow crops around the world, according to a study by the University of Sydney.

Irish farmers will be forced to dramatically change farming practices to comply with the new Water Framework Directive.

The Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Brendan Smith TD, has reminded farmers that they should start thinking about whether they need a nitrates derogation for the current year.

The Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers Association (ICMSA) has sharply criticised delays in Rural Environment Protection Scheme (REPS) payments to farmers.

Farming in the west depends on properly funded farm schemes, a forum hosted by Connacht Gold was told in Claremorris, Co Mayo.

A national plan for the tillage industry was sought at the Teagasc tillage conference in Carlow recently.

In Northern Ireland, the College of Agriculture, Food and Rural Enterprise (CAFRE) have been awarded the LEAF (Linking Environment and Farming) at a special ceremony at Greenmount Campus by Caroline Drummond, Chief Executive of LEAF.

In July 2010, a new EU logo for organic products will be introduced throughout the European Union.

Energy Crops Technical Information Day will take place on Tuesday, 16 February 2010 at the Talbot Hotel Carlow and Teagasc, Oak Park.