7th October 2009

Biodynamic Soil Conference

Vital Soil – Vital Food – Laverstoke Park, Hampshire 2 – 3 October 2009

A recent newspaper article had the headline: Is biodynamic the new organic? (Daily Telegraph – 28^th September 2009). This previewed the Biodynamic Food Fortnight, which is now taking place throughout the UK.

As an introduction to the Fortnight, a biodynamic soil conference took place last weekend at Laverstoke Park – the biodynamic farm owned by former Formula One World Champion Jody Scheckter. It attracted a wide range of growers from both the organic and the biodynamic fields, some with substantial area under cultivation.

Excellent and informative presentations were given by Joel Williams and Dr. Vinodh Krishnamurthy of the Soil Food Web laboratory at Laverstoke Park, and Dr. Richard Thornton-Smith of the Biodynamic Association.

‘The conference was informative, enjoyable and exciting. It was great to be part of’,  ‘I am totally inspired to get into action‘, ‘Informative lectures’, and ‘Rich mix of science and spirit’ were some of the comments from participants from the fully booked conference.

The conference gave an excellent opportunity for all to appreciate the value and the beauty of the micro-organisms living in the soil.  Critically, it gave a platform for proponents of the biodynamic method to express themselves in a more understood language.

Sebastian Parsons, the Chairman of the BDAA, said: “The Biodynamic Agricultural Association will build on the success of this conference and will continue to focus attention on how soil vitality can make economic and quality gains for farmers and growers.  Future conferences will further investigate how biodynamics can help farmers and growers to make the best of their land.”

-------------------------- ends --------------------------

Press Release

23^th September 2009

Biodynamic Preparations Incorporated into the EEC Regulations

Brussels. On the 7^th September the Council of Ministers adopted a revision of the regulation governing animal by-products EEC 1774/2002. It becomes ruling 15 months after publication in the EEC official gazette. During this time the implementation rules will be worked out.

With this decision the Biodynamic preparations are again authorised for use. Only the intestines, and the mesentery and skull from cattle older than 12 months, may not yet be used for security reasons related to the BSE disease. For the latter there is an alternative (the mesentery and skull can be taken from animals younger than 12 months or from other farmed animals). Intestines from cattle may only be used if imported.

“This decision means that the majority of the preparations will once again be made on farm” explained Dr. Andreas Biesantz with pleasure. Dr. Biesantz has been pursuing the regulation review in Brussels on behalf of Demeter-International since 2002.  He along with Dr. Uli Johannes König from the Forschungsring für Biologisch-Dynamische Wirtschaftsweise in Darmstadt, Jean Marie Defrance from Demeter France, Susanna Küffer Heer from Demeter International und Nikolai Fuchs from the Agricultural Section at the Goetheanum actively lobbied for an amendment to the regulations. EEC 1774/2002 was introduced seven years ago at the time of the BSE crisis in an attempt to prevent so called risk material – animal tissue which could possibly be contaminated with prions – from being traded.  “The next step is for the regulation to be implemented in each member country, in as practicable a fashion as possible at the farm level” said Uli Johannes König.

“This is a very important decision for Biodynamic farmers. At last the preconditions have been defined which permit the Biodynamic preparations to be made legally. I would like to thank sincerely all those who helped and supported throughout the long process” said Nikolai Fuchs, the Dornach coordinator of the Brussels Office, plainly greatly relieved”.

Further information from:

Demeter–International EEC Office Brussels - 194, Rue du Trône - 1050 Brussels - Belgium

phone +32-2–646 21 17– fax +32-2-647 70 47

demeter.eu@gmail.com - www.demeter.net

Executive Director Steps Down

11th September 2009

The Trustees of the BDAA have agreed to accept the resignation of Bernard Jarman who stepped down as Executive Director on September 9th 2009.  In the interim executive leadership will be provided from the Trustee group by the Chair, Sebastian Parsons and the Treasurer, Ian Bailey.  The non-Trustee executive team remains Jessica Standing, Timothy Brink, Bernard Jarman, and Richard Swann.

The Trustees would like to thank Bernard for the work he has done as Executive Director since 1999.  Bernard has played an important role in the organisation for many years and will continue to do so. 

-------------------------- ends --------------------------

The BDAA Office

office (at) biodynamic.orguk

tel: 01453 759501