Whether it’s for the government, the client, or for the consumer, you will be required to report on the environmental impacts of your organization and its products sooner or later. In France, there was a mandate in place for all consumer goods. Then there wasn’t. And then Europe decided not to wait for France so they started their own work. There are pilots underway in France and at the European level at this very moment. And then there’s Canada, the EPA in the USA, the CRC in the UK, the upcoming carbon tax in Australia, as well as Walmart’s supplier requirements, and Tesco’s and Casino’s work with labelling. You get the picture.

A new £20 million fund to help rural businesses increase profits and reduce their impact on the environment has been launched today by Agriculture Minister Jim Paice.

Farmers, foresters and horticulturalists can apply for grants of up to £25,000 to invest in green projects and new machinery so their businesses can grow in an environmentally friendly way.

· Philip Lymbery, CEO of Compassion in World Farming launches www.factory-farming-facts.tv

· Five short films written and presented by the CEO himself

· Films highlight not only the horrors of factory farming but highlight evidence of human health threat and environmental damage

· “Average consumer is intelligent but uninformed” says CEO

Farmers and landowners with land close to major road infrastructures could soon benefit from recently announced changes in policy for the development of truck stops.

A Government consultation identified strong support for the development of secure truck stops from a number of organizations including the Transport Police, the Highways Agency, insurers and the haulage industry as current demand for lorry parking far outstrips supply. This could provide farmers with a diversification opportunity to earn additional income.