17 December 2012 - Fera’s FAPAS informs EU Accreditation

Fera’s Mark Sykes has just returned from Warsaw where he attended a meeting for the European co-operation for Accreditation (EA), on behalf of the laboratory’s Food Analysis Performance Assessment Scheme (FAPAS). 

10 December 2012 - Fera at International Mass Spectrometry Conference (IMSC) 2012

Fera’s Simon Hird recently gave talks at the IMSC in Kyoto, Japan, attended by two thousand delegates from across the world. 

03 December 2012 - Fera’s PHSI & Phytophthora experts host field trip for Exeter University Msc Students

Fera held its autumn field trip for Exeter Msc students on 25th October.

30 November 2012 - PRESS RELEASE: Training the trainers - leading best practice on tree and plant health

Issued jointly with Fera

29 November 2012 - PRESS RELEASE: Breaking new ground at Chelsea to help "Stop the Spread"

A groundbreaking Show Garden at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2013 from The Food and Environment Research Agency (Fera) will highlight the threat to British plants and trees from pest, diseases and invasive non-native species.

26 November 2012 - First interception of Bemisia tabaci Q biotype entering the UK

Fera scientists are urging growers and importers to continue to be vigilant for the sweetpotato whitefly Bemisia tabaci.

19 November 2012 - Fera and ARU win SNH-SEPA studentship to investigate the ecology of island rat population

Starting in autumn 2012, Fera will be working in partnership with Anglia Ruskin University to look in more detail at the ecology of Norway rats on the Scottish island of Rum.

12 November 2012 - Fera at the 126th AOAC annual meeting and exposition

The AOAC (Association of Official Analytical Chemists) is a non-profit scientific association dedicated to the development and validation of analytical methods, the improvement of quality assurance procedures in laboratories, and the professional development of scientists.

09 November 2012 - PRESS RELEASE: Action on Chalara dieback of ash trees

The effort to address the ash tree disease Chalara dieback will mobilise the general public and focus attention on trees which show resistance to the disease as part of an action plan announced today by Owen Paterson, Environment Secretary in the UK Government.

07 November 2012 - Survey reveals ash disease in six more counties

Further cases of the tree disease Chalara dieback of ash have been confirmed in woodland in Sussex, Berkshire, Bedfordshire, Lincolnshire, Yorkshire and Northumberland after an unprecedented survey of Britain's established woodlands.

07 November 2012 - PRESS RELEASE: York scientists’ hi-tech approach to finding ash dieback

York-based scientists are using the very latest new technology to establish the extent of ash dieback around the country.

05 November 2012 - Fera facilitates and students shine

The Food and Environment Research Agency was presented with an individual employer award at the Student Internship Bureau Summer Vacation Celebration at the University of York. 

02 November 2012 - Ash dieback: BBC goes behind the scenes at Fera

The BBC’s Jeremy Cooke visited Fera on Thursday to hear about the hi-tech laboratory work going on at the Agency to help tackle the disease.

29 October 2012 - Olympic outcome at Fera!

Fera staff have contributed over £200 to the British Heart Foundation following the completion of their very own ‘Walk to Olympus’ challenge.     

29 October 2012 - Fera’s emergency response helps re-open the Wash

When fisheries in the Wash were closed following a major chemical release into the river Nene from an industrial site, Fera’s emergency response process was formally activated. 

25 October 2012 - Efforts stepped up to tackle disease of ash trees

Plant health authorities across the United Kingdom have stepped up their efforts to tackle a new disease of ash trees.

23 October 2012 - Beyond the genome

Fera scientist Richard Thwaites has recently returned from a visit to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in Washington, with whom Fera is building a collaboration to use state-of-the-art genome sequencing for tracing the source of microbial contaminants that are spread through the food supply chain.

22 October 2012 - Fera presentations at the Food Safety and Authenticity 2012 Conference

Three presentations were given by Fera staff at the Food Safety and Authenticity 2012 Conference in Brussels on 19-20th September.

18 October 2012 - Fera presentation at Dioxin 2012

Fera scientist Martin Rose recently gave a presentation and chaired a session titled ‘persistant organic pollutants in food and feed’ at this year’s Dioxin 2012 Conference in Cairns, Australia. 

15 October 2012 - China/UK workshop "Novel Technologies for Food Industry – Route to the Market" 2012

Fera’s Simon Kelly was recently invited to speak as an expert at the UK/China Conference and Workshop, which brought together scientists, industry, policymakers and other stakeholders to address complex issues of food industry challenges in China.

08 October 2012 - Striking stowaway!

A striking grasshopper arrived at Fera recently via London Manston Airport. 

04 October 2012 - PRESS RELEASE: Government considers ban on ash tree movements

Issued jointly with Forestry Commission

01 October 2012 - Fera proves Red kite found dead was poisoned

Tests performed by Fera’s Wildlife Incident Unit (WIU), part of the Wildlife Incident Investigation Scheme (WIIS) have established that a kite found dead on moors in North Yorkshire was killed by several banned pesticides. 

27 September 2012 - PRESS RELEASE: Launch of consultation on revision of fees for plant health exports

Proposals to review the fees charged for its statutory plant health export certification service are being discussed with stakeholders in an 8-week consultation launched today by Fera and the Welsh Government.

24 September 2012 - Fera expert contributes to Ramsar Wetland Disease Manual

When The Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust (WWT) was given the task of developing a practical manual on the assessment, monitoring and management of animal diseases in wetlands, they contacted Fera’s Richard Delahay.

17 September 2012 - Moldovan Twinning project official launch - helping countries make EU plant health grade

A Fera led ‘Twinning’ Project addressing Moldova’s problems in consumer safety and exporting produce to the EU and Russian Federation, due to inadequate pesticide and plant health controls, was officially launched last month.

10 September 2012 - Plant Health and Seeds Inspectors trial IT tablet to speed up service

The UK has the highest interception rate for pests and diseases on plant material of any EU Member State.

03 September 2012 - School sports day saved by Fera’s mushroom expertise!

When Matt Prince, head-teacher of Newtown C of E Primary School in Gosport, contacted Fera recently, his school’s sports day hung in the balance. 

28 August 2012 - PRESS RELEASE: Insects address the protein deficit
  More...

27 August 2012 - Fera supports biosecurity enhancement in the Falkland Islands

Biodiversity in the UK Overseas Territories (UKOTs) is recognised as being under threat from non-native invasive plant pests.

21 August 2012 - PRESS RELEASE: 1st International Conference on Dog Population Management, 4-8 September 2012

The inaugural Conference on Dog Population Management, hosted by The Food and Environment Research Agency (Fera) from 4th-8th September 2012, will address global issues surrounding stray dogs.

20 August 2012 - Fera is a finalist in The Press Business Awards 2012

Fera’s Food Analysis Performance Assessment Scheme (FAPAS) has been shortlisted as a finalist in The Press Business Awards 2012.

13 August 2012 - Endangered species identified in UK - first time in over 20 years

Fera Plant Health and Seeds Inspector (PHSI) Alistair Whybrow was taking soil samples to check for the absence of potato cyst nematode in Plymouth, when his mobile phone rang. 

02 August 2012 - CropMonitor highlighted in Bloomberg Businessweek

Fera’s online information system for arable crops 'CropMonitor' has been highlighted in the current edition of Bloomberg Businessweek for its report on the higher risk of mycotoxins affecting UK wheat crops in the 2012 harvest

30 July 2012 - Wet weather, and fusarium flourishes

Growers wanting to protect their crops could take heed of a recent warning from the HGCA and be alert to an increased risk of fusarium mycotoxins in winter wheat. 

30 July 2012 - Olympic spirit at Fera!

The Olympic spirit is going strong at Fera! 

23 July 2012 - PRESS RELEASE: Weevil woes – Fera scientists protecting vital palm trees

Scientists from Fera are leading a battle against two major pests of palm trees in a bid to save these iconic plants.

23 July 2012 - New regulations for allergens in wine – Fera provides analytical support

Producers need to be aware that the most recent Directive on allergens issued by the European Commission 2007/68/EC requires that milk and egg products intentionally used for food or drink manufacturing have to be declared on the respective label. 

18 July 2012 - PRESS RELEASE: Public urged to look out for exotic beetle pest of trees

This is the time of year when the exotic Asian longhorn beetle is most likely to emerge from trees and shrubs and people are being urged to look out for it. 

16 July 2012 - Entomologist helping UK overseas territories

One of Fera’s senior entomologists,  Dr. Chris Malumphy, recently returned from a two week expedition to the Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI), a UK Overseas Territory.

09 July 2012 - Fera scientist celebrates 100th paper published

Fera quantitative ecologist Dr. Graham Smith has achieved his 100^th publication of a scientific paper. 

04 July 2012 - Fera supports diagnosis of a disorder affecting maize in Kenya

Working with Kenyan plant health institutions and international partners*, Fera has helped to unravel the identity of a new and highly damaging maize disease in Kenya that has spread rapidly during the current growing season across many of the main maize growing regions.

02 July 2012 - Prof. Chaudhry appointed to prestigious Scientific Committee of the EU Food Safety Authority

The expertise at Fera includes some of the most prominent scientists in their fields, whose calibre is demonstrated by memberships of various national and international scientific advisory bodies. 

27 June 2012 - PRESS RELEASE: New investment secures future for Sand Hutton based science technology company

Forsite Diagnostics Ltd, originally launched in 2007 as a spin-out by The Food and Environment Research Agency’s predecessor, the Central Science Laboratory, has a new private investor it was announced today.

25 June 2012 - Playing field or field trials - Fera rugby ace is pitch perfect!

When England kicked off the 2012 FIRA-AER European Cup with a 61-0 win over Spain in Rovereto in May, Fera agricultural ecologist and England Rugby International Ruth Laybourn scored a hat trick. 

21 June 2012 - PRESS RELEASE: Micro-business set to expand on Sand Hutton site

The Food and Environment Research Agency (Fera) welcomed a new organisation locating to the Sand Hutton Applied Innovation Campus today.

19 June 2012 - PRESS RELEASE: Region attracts new forensic investment

The region is set to benefit from new investment in forensic science Fera announced today.

18 June 2012 - Crop Monitor helping Fera support sustainable farming at Cereals 2012

Cereals is the leading technical event and agricultural show for the UK arable industry.

14 June 2012 - Fera and Waters Corp. announce International Food Safety Training Laboratory

Will Improve Detection of Contaminated Food, Make Global Food Supplies Safer

13 June 2012 - PRESS RELEASE: Extension of infestation zone for exotic beetle pest found in Kent

As a result of the felling programme being carried out in response to the UK’s first outbreak of Asian longhorn beetle, an infested tree has been confirmed towards the northern limit of the current infestation zone. 

11 June 2012 - An inspector calls – Fera strengthens import inspections

The UK has the highest interception rate for pests and diseases on plant material of any EU Member State.  This impressive and reassuring statistic is largely thanks to Fera’s Plant Health and Seeds Inspectorate.

07 June 2012 - Darwin Expert Committee - 8 new members required

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) is currently looking for 8 new members for its Darwin Expert Committee. This is a Committee made up of independent experts which advises Ministers on funding proposals received under its Darwin Initiative

04 June 2012 - EU plant inspectors get appy – new tool for Android and Apple

Fera has launched its latest app.  Produced completely in-house and aimed at EU-wide plant health inspectors, QPaD is a quarantine plant pest and disease guide available on the Android marketplace and also through Apple i-store. 

31 May 2012 - Fera collaborates on UK Recovery Handbook for Chemical Incidents

The Health Protection Agency has today published a handbook which provides guidance in managing the recovery phase of chemical incidents where contamination has affected food production systems, inhabited areas or water environments.

28 May 2012 - Space to grow

Perhaps your business could benefit from the unique assets, collaborative opportunities and world class science being undertaken at Fera’s York site: the Sand Hutton Applied Innovation Campus.

23 May 2012 - PRESS RELEASE: Award winning message about plant pests and disease

A silver medal has been awarded to Fera’s display at the Chelsea Flower Show on Monday. The educational exhibit, aimed at telling the public about how they can help prevent the spread of potentially devastating plant pests and disease, was put together by Fera, helped by the National Trust.   

23 May 2012 - Tracking chemicals in the food we eat – Fera helps provide a solution

The lack of a centralised database dealing with chemicals used in food production is a problem that’s being addressed by the creation of Envira.  The new technology has been developed in collaboration with Fera and start-up company InfoSure. 

21 May 2012 - Fera chair for International Plant Protection Convention

A member of Fera’s Plant Health Policy Team, Steve Ashby, has been elected Chair of the Commission on Phytosanitary Measures (CPM), the governing body for the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC). 

18 May 2012 - PRESS RELEASE: Film launch to tackle disease threat to our countryside

Two new films have just been launched which are aimed at letting people how they can help prevent the spread of devastating plant diseases that have already resulted in the felling of over 3,000 hectares of larch trees.   

18 May 2012 - PRESS RELEASE: Fera’s Chelsea display highlights how to keep our countryside “green and pleasant”

In a break with the traditional luxurious gardens and healthy plant displays usually seen at the Chelsea Flower Show, Fera’s display will outline how the public can help prevent the spread of devastating plant pests and disease in gardens and the countryside.   

14 May 2012 - Port plant safety impresses Lord Taylor

Lord Taylor, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at DEFRA, was pleased to see Fera’s work in action during a recent visit to the Plant Health and Seeds Inspectors (PHSI) based at the Port of Felixstowe.  

07 May 2012 - Snow and Skuas in Antarctica

Resolving goose problems in the Falkland islands gave Andy Baxter, team leader of Fera’s Wildlife Programme, a surprise opportunity to advise on an Antarctic birdstrike issue.

30 April 2012 - Healthy bees plan

Fera is pleased to announce that Defra has approved £1.73 million of funding to continue the Healthy Bees Plan over the next three years, which represents phase two of the plan implementation. 

23 April 2012 - New collaboration brings forensic DNA benefits

A collaboration between Fera and the Home Office’s Centre for Applied Science and Technology (CAST) has established a new DNA research capability.

20 April 2012 - PRESS RELEASE: Exotic beetle pest eradication in Kent

As efforts to eradicate an outbreak of the Asian longhorn beetle (ALB) get underway near Paddock Wood in Kent, a public meeting is to be held locally to inform and update residents and landowners in the area about the outbreak and what is being done about it.

16 April 2012 - Protecting Europe's tomato crops - science into policy

Based on a new European Pest Risk Assessment (PRA) for Pepino mosaic virus (PepMV), the EU Plant Health Stand Committee is recommending that EU wide-measures to help mitigate the impact of this damaging pathogen are made permanent. 

09 April 2012 - Bird Hazard Management Course

Fera was pleased to offer its highly acclaimed two and a half day Bird Hazard Management course at Leeds Bradford Airport recently.

02 April 2012 - Fera National Reference Laboratory website re-launch

As of 30 March 2012, UK Official Control Laboratories (OCLs) will find it easier to find their way around the website of Fera’s National Reference Laboratories (NRLs) for Chemical Safety in Food and Feed, Pesticides Residues and Veterinary Medicines Residues. 

28 March 2012 - PRESS RELEASE: Exotic beetle pest of trees found in Kent

An outbreak of the Asian longhorn beetle (ALB), an exotic beetle pest which could have severe consequences for British trees, has been found in Kent the Food and Environment Research Agency confirmed today.

27 March 2012 - PRESS RELEASE: Drought-beating crops

As parts of the UK have been officially declared to be in a state of drought, the announcement of a new EU-funded project which aims to speed up the development of drought and disease resistant crops is timely.  

26 March 2012 - Fera scientists are participating in the safe development of nanotechnologies

Fera is expanding its research and development and consultancy services to facilitate applications of nanotechnologies that are both beneficial and safe to human health and the environment.

21 March 2012 - PRESS RELEASE: New Plant Health Taskforce aims to drive efficiencies in regulatory services

Efficiency gains will be top of the agenda when Government officials and plant health industry representatives get together for the inaugural Plant Health Taskforce meeting on 18th April.

19 March 2012 - Doubling up - Twinning projects help countries make EU plant health grade

Fera is leading two ‘Twinning’ Projects aimed at helping Moldova and Montenegro to improve standards and implement EU legislation relating to plant health and plant protection products.

12 March 2012 - Plant experts teaching the next generation

Plant health specialists at Fera have written and edited “Fungal Plant Pathogens” – a text book produced by CABI for undergraduate and postgraduate students of mycology and plant pathology. 

05 March 2012 - Save Our Shearwaters!

Fera wildlife experts are pleased to announce they are collaborating on a new project to ensure the sustainable recovery of a vulnerable species of seabird - the Manx Shearwater. 

05 March 2012 - Stem Base Diseases – Fera supporting UK soft-fruit industry

Fera recently hosted an  international, multi-disciplinary workshop to identify research needs in support of the UK soft-fruit industry. 

27 February 2012 - Gardener’s feedback welcomed on new pest assessment

Fera is asking gardeners to be vigilant for a new plant parasite which may turn up in UK gardens.

20 February 2012 - Improving the resistance of legume crops to climate change

January 2012 saw the inaugural meeting of the ABSTRESS project at Fera in York.

13 February 2012 - Protecting the US from exotic plant pests

The most recent US Farm Bill directs Federal authorities to make $50 million available for the early detection and rapid response to threats from exotic plant pests. 

09 February 2012 - PRESS RELEASE: New disease identified in native juniper trees in Upper Teesdale

**Issued jointly by Natural England, Forestry Commission and the Food and Environment Research Agency (Fera)**

06 February 2012 - Fera scientist invited to join RSC journal advisory board

A senior analytical chemist at Fera, Don Clarke, has been invited to join the Advisory Board for the Royal Society of Chemistry journal “Analytical Methods”. 

06 February 2012 - Helping farmers safeguard their livestock from TB

Bovine tuberculosis (TB) is a serious issue for UK farmers.  One vital way of reducing the risk of contamination between cattle and badgers is to successfully manage badger access to farm buildings.

30 January 2012 - Rapid determination of Natamycin in wine

Natamycin is a preservative, allowed in some European food-stuffs, such as meat & dairy products, but illegal in wine sold within the European Union (EU).

25 January 2012 - Fera is a partner in major new bioscience research investment

Fera is one of the partners in the new White Rose University Consortium Doctoral Training Partnership (DTP) in mechanistic biology.

23 January 2012 - State of the art instrument provides unique service for identifying unknown compounds

Why not test the limits of expertise and detection?  Identify biomarkers to improve TB diagnostic tests for badgers? 

16 January 2012 - Workshop showcases novel plant health detection methods

Safeguarding Europe’s agricultural and horticultural industries is part of the ongoing job of phytosanitary inspectors. 

09 January 2012 - Fera assesses levels of European Food Safety Authority ISO compliance

Making a decision on whether to apply for the quality standard ISO 9001 accreditation is an important one. 

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