GARLIC
Trade in illegal garlic in Europe has become so serious
that inspectors have had to resort to forensic data
analysis, mobile X-ray machines, DNA labs and a
whistleblowing website. Contraband garlic in the EU
has been depriving authorities of tens of millions of
euros in lost taxes. China produced 18,560,000 tons
of garlic in 2010, 82 per cent of the world's output,
according to the United Nations. Growers from other
countries complain they cannot compete against the
cheap, abundant Chinese crop. Garlic smuggling cases
are, after meat and sugar, the most common type of
agricultural investigations probed in Europe.
March 2013 Edition
GARLIC
Trade in illegal garlic in Europe has become so serious
that inspectors have had to resort to forensic data
analysis, mobile X-ray machines, DNA labs and a
whistleblowing website. Contraband garlic in the EU
has been depriving authorities of tens of millions of
euros in lost taxes. China produced 18,560,000 tons
of garlic in 2010, 82 per cent of the world's output,
according to the United Nations. Growers from other
countries complain they cannot compete against the
cheap, abundant Chinese crop. Garlic smuggling cases
are, after meat and sugar, the most common type of
agricultural investigations probed in Europe.
THREATS
According to the World Economic Forum, a major
systemic financial failure, extreme weather patterns, a
water-supply crisis, weapons of mass destruction,
cyber attacks and stark income disparity, are just a few
of the major risks to the global economy this year. The
single most likely risk in the next decade is severe
income disparity, according to a study, based on a
survey of more than 1,000 experts in industry,
government and academia who were asked to assess
50 global risks. This is the second year in a row the
widening gaps between the world's richest and poorest
citizens was flagged as the most likely global risk.
ADVERTISING
Operating revenues for the Canadian advertising and
related services industry rose 2.1 per cent between
2010 and 2011 to C$6.9-billion. The strongest
increase was in Alberta with 11.2 per cent and the
lowest in New Brunswick with a 16.5 per cent
decrease. Among the different industries, the
strongest growth was posted by direct mail
advertising. As in previous years, firms in Ontario
accounted for most of the revenue generated by the
industry with 59.9 per cent, followed by Quebec, 23.4
per cent and British Columbia with 8.4 per cent.
CARS
Canadians ignored the anaemic economic recovery and
warnings about mushrooming household debt to drive
1,676-million cars off dealers' lots in 2012, with
favourable financing conditions propelling the industry
to the second-highest sales year on record. The best
year was in 2002 with sales of 1,707-million vehicles
sold. The strong Canadian dollar helped but over the
past decade, new auto prices have dropped an average
of one per cent each year.
DIET
Researchers in the Netherlands say that the wriggly
beetle larvae known as mealworms could one day
dominate supermarket shelves as a more sustainable
alternative to chicken, beef, pork and milk. Currently,
livestock use about 70 per cent of all farmland. In
addition, the demand for animal protein continues to
rise globally, and is expected to grow by up to 80 per
cent between 2012 and 2050. The researchers found
that growing mealworms released less greenhouse
gases than producing cow milk, chicken, pork and
beef. Growing mealworms takes up only about ten per
cent of land used to produce beef, 30 per cent for pork
and 40 per cent of the land used to produce chicken to
generate similar amounts of protein.
GERMS
According to scientists, brass door knobs, handles and
handrails should be brought back into common use in
public places to help combat superbugs. Researchers
have discovered that copper and alloys made from the
metal, including brass, can prevent the spread of
antibiotic resistance in bacteria. Plastic and stainless
steel surfaces, which are now widely used in hospitals
and public settings, allow bacteria to survive and
spread when people touch them, Even if the bacteria
die, DNA that gives them resistance to antibiotics and
survive can be passed on to other bacteria on these
surfaces. Copper and brass however, can kill the
bacteria and destroy this DNA.
HEMP
Canada's small hemp industry is growing, but still
faces hurdles because of its illegal and potent cousin
marijuana. Production of hemp is forecast to almost
double by 2015, which will translate to about C$100-
million to the Canadian economy. About 200 growers
across the country have been licensed by Health
Canada and can only plant seeds that have been
approved by the federal government. Hemp is filled
with nutritious Omega 3 and 6 and is used to make
breakfast cereals, pretzels, protein powders, salad
dressings and lactose-free milk. Fibres from the hearty
plant is made into building products, paper and
clothes. Hemp oil is used to make cosmetics.
RICE
Thailand is trying to put together a cartel of rice-
producing countries. But unlike oil, rice rots. The
alliance, which could include Vietnam, Cambodia,
Myanmar and Laos may be announced soon with a
view to raising rice prices in global markets. The five
Asian nations are expected to export 15-million tons
of milled rice this year, about 40 per cent of the total
global trade in the staple.
http://www.aacb.com/publications/ed/index.asp
Trade in illegal garlic in Europe has become so serious
that inspectors have had to resort to forensic data
analysis, mobile X-ray machines, DNA labs and a
whistleblowing website. Contraband garlic in the EU
has been depriving authorities of tens of millions of
euros in lost taxes. China produced 18,560,000 tons
of garlic in 2010, 82 per cent of the world's output,
according to the United Nations. Growers from other
countries complain they cannot compete against the
cheap, abundant Chinese crop. Garlic smuggling cases
are, after meat and sugar, the most common type of
agricultural investigations probed in Europe.
March 2013 Edition
GARLIC
Trade in illegal garlic in Europe has become so serious
that inspectors have had to resort to forensic data
analysis, mobile X-ray machines, DNA labs and a
whistleblowing website. Contraband garlic in the EU
has been depriving authorities of tens of millions of
euros in lost taxes. China produced 18,560,000 tons
of garlic in 2010, 82 per cent of the world's output,
according to the United Nations. Growers from other
countries complain they cannot compete against the
cheap, abundant Chinese crop. Garlic smuggling cases
are, after meat and sugar, the most common type of
agricultural investigations probed in Europe.
THREATS
According to the World Economic Forum, a major
systemic financial failure, extreme weather patterns, a
water-supply crisis, weapons of mass destruction,
cyber attacks and stark income disparity, are just a few
of the major risks to the global economy this year. The
single most likely risk in the next decade is severe
income disparity, according to a study, based on a
survey of more than 1,000 experts in industry,
government and academia who were asked to assess
50 global risks. This is the second year in a row the
widening gaps between the world's richest and poorest
citizens was flagged as the most likely global risk.
ADVERTISING
Operating revenues for the Canadian advertising and
related services industry rose 2.1 per cent between
2010 and 2011 to C$6.9-billion. The strongest
increase was in Alberta with 11.2 per cent and the
lowest in New Brunswick with a 16.5 per cent
decrease. Among the different industries, the
strongest growth was posted by direct mail
advertising. As in previous years, firms in Ontario
accounted for most of the revenue generated by the
industry with 59.9 per cent, followed by Quebec, 23.4
per cent and British Columbia with 8.4 per cent.
CARS
Canadians ignored the anaemic economic recovery and
warnings about mushrooming household debt to drive
1,676-million cars off dealers' lots in 2012, with
favourable financing conditions propelling the industry
to the second-highest sales year on record. The best
year was in 2002 with sales of 1,707-million vehicles
sold. The strong Canadian dollar helped but over the
past decade, new auto prices have dropped an average
of one per cent each year.
DIET
Researchers in the Netherlands say that the wriggly
beetle larvae known as mealworms could one day
dominate supermarket shelves as a more sustainable
alternative to chicken, beef, pork and milk. Currently,
livestock use about 70 per cent of all farmland. In
addition, the demand for animal protein continues to
rise globally, and is expected to grow by up to 80 per
cent between 2012 and 2050. The researchers found
that growing mealworms released less greenhouse
gases than producing cow milk, chicken, pork and
beef. Growing mealworms takes up only about ten per
cent of land used to produce beef, 30 per cent for pork
and 40 per cent of the land used to produce chicken to
generate similar amounts of protein.
GERMS
According to scientists, brass door knobs, handles and
handrails should be brought back into common use in
public places to help combat superbugs. Researchers
have discovered that copper and alloys made from the
metal, including brass, can prevent the spread of
antibiotic resistance in bacteria. Plastic and stainless
steel surfaces, which are now widely used in hospitals
and public settings, allow bacteria to survive and
spread when people touch them, Even if the bacteria
die, DNA that gives them resistance to antibiotics and
survive can be passed on to other bacteria on these
surfaces. Copper and brass however, can kill the
bacteria and destroy this DNA.
HEMP
Canada's small hemp industry is growing, but still
faces hurdles because of its illegal and potent cousin
marijuana. Production of hemp is forecast to almost
double by 2015, which will translate to about C$100-
million to the Canadian economy. About 200 growers
across the country have been licensed by Health
Canada and can only plant seeds that have been
approved by the federal government. Hemp is filled
with nutritious Omega 3 and 6 and is used to make
breakfast cereals, pretzels, protein powders, salad
dressings and lactose-free milk. Fibres from the hearty
plant is made into building products, paper and
clothes. Hemp oil is used to make cosmetics.
RICE
Thailand is trying to put together a cartel of rice-
producing countries. But unlike oil, rice rots. The
alliance, which could include Vietnam, Cambodia,
Myanmar and Laos may be announced soon with a
view to raising rice prices in global markets. The five
Asian nations are expected to export 15-million tons
of milled rice this year, about 40 per cent of the total
global trade in the staple.
http://www.aacb.com/publications/ed/index.asp