Death at sea

large numbers of whale deaths off Mexico's coasts were most likely caused by humans polluting the seas, but the real answer may never be known due to government foot-dragging, environmentalists said. Mexico has recorded at least four massive die-offs of whales and other marine mammals since 1993, the latest occurring in recent weeks in the Gulf of California between the Baja California peninsula and the mainland coast.

Looks like Basmati but

patenting of basmati rice by Ricetec Inc of the us has been in and out of the news since February 1998. In response to a public interest petition filed in the Supreme Court, the Attorney General of India says Indian scientists and the best legal brains in the us are wracking their brains on the issue.

Nitrogen overdose

researchers have known since the 1960s that nitrogenous fertilisers run-off severely affects lakes and rivers. Recently published studies show a bleaker picture. Polluting waterways of the world and displacing mineral nutrients from forest soils will result in wide-scale destruction of both forest and marine ecosystems.

Metallic lustre in food

The California-based Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced the formation of a study group to examine the need for national action following a series of reports in a Seattle newspaper about crop loss and health problems arising from the use of fertilisers containing recycled industrial wastes and radionuclides. The Washington state department of ecology, agriculture and health was flooded by the letters from angry citizens concerned about food safety. The fertiliser industry is known for using recycled industrial wastes containing metals such as copper, zinc and sodium.

A revolution redefined

the agricultural revolution in France is over 50 years old. And now, the French are headed in a different direction. A new paradigm of agricultural development is striking roots, seeking to undo the ill-effects of the previous one. It aims at arresting soil erosion, conserving water and biological diversity and reducing the consumption of fertilisers and other chemicals.

Nitrogen turns sour

increase in the use of fertilisers and cultivation of crops that 'fix' atmospheric nitrogen is leading to loss of soil nutrients, rising atmospheric concentrations of the greenhouse gas nitrous oxide, and increasing acidification of lakes and rivers.

Juice no more

apple production in the state of Himachal Pradesh ( hp ) has dropped by 50 per cent in the last five years despite an increase of about 27 per cent in the cultivated area. The Himachal Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association ( hfvga ) says the rampant and unplanned use of fertilisers and insecticides is responsible.

Business as usual

IN SPITE of stringent laws and regulations, illegal timber trade is flourishing in South American Countries. Investigations carried out by the Amsterdam-based Friends of the Earth International (FOEI) in Brazil, Cameroon and Paraguay have revealed that rampant illegal logging not only continues to threaten sustainable forest management, but also creates unfair competitive disadvantages for timber companies willing to respect laws and pay taxes.

Arsenic down under

FARMERS' REVOLT

The shortage of fertilisers is proving to be a major cause for the current peasant unrest in Bangladesh. Farmers, unable to grow the region's main rice crop this season, demonstrated before the district collector's office in North Bengal to voice their protest. They are also demanding a fair price for urea fertiliser. It is widely believed that a racket in illegal trade of fertilisers is behind the shortage. Meanwhile, the Bangladesh Fertiliser Association has urged all its dealers and companies involved in fertiliser production, to ensure sale of the chemicals at a fair price.