A NEW online calculator is helping growers estimate their impact on the environment and learn about ways to reduce greenhouse-gas emissions.
Queensland Government senior principal horticulturist Peter Deuter said horticulture contributed less than 1 per cent of all greenhouse-gas emissions in Australia, compared with 16 per cent of emissions from all of agriculture, but the calculator would help promote industry awareness.
The calculator can be found at www.horticulture.com.au
Meanwhile, Dr Deuter was last week appointed the new chairman of the Vegetable Industry Advisory Committee, replacing Queensland chilli grower David De Paoli.
Mango ban lifted
A BAN on exports of Australian mangoes to Japan has been lifted after five days.
Insect larvae found by Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service inspectors at a Queensland export facility were identified as a vinegar fly, not Queensland fruit fly as first feared.
Chinese quality boost
THE Chinese Government claims the quality of its agricultural produce, including vegetables, improved last year.
In its annual report, the Ministry of Agriculture said 96.4 per cent of vegetables met safety standards, up 0.1 per cent on 2008. Fruit, mushrooms and tea - which were inspected for the first time - achieved safety standard compliance rates of 98 per cent, 95.2 per cent and 94.8 per cent respectively.
- Send your horticulture news to Sandra Godwin, The Weekly Times, PO Box 1728, Swan Hill 3585, email godwins@theweeklytimes.com.au or fax to (03) 5032 9352.
