Neonicotinoid Insecticide Ban May End Rapeseed Crops in the EU The EU restricted the use of three neonicotinoid insecticides on flowering plants beginning in 2013 because of a belief they were responsible for the decline in bee populations. It then banned the use of all such insecticides on all fields for the same reason despite no scientific consensus that they are causing the problem. The crop most impacted by all this has been rapeseed, a major source of food for bees and other pollinators. Neonicotinoid insecticides were the most effective method to control the cabbage stem flea beetles (CSFBs) that sharply reduce rapeseed yields. Farmers have in the past used pyrethroid insecticides to control them, but the insects have largely evolv...
Accountability and a comprehensive approach to export programming
WPI’s team helped construct a strategic approach to develop, implement, and track promotional activities in 8 key regions across the globe for an agricultural export association. With continued progress measurement and strategic advisory services from WPI, the association has seen its ROI from investments in promotional programming increase by 44 percent over the past 5 years. Not only does this type of holistic approach to organizational strategy provide measurable results to track and analyze, it fosters top-down and bottom-up organizational accountability.
Key Market Insights The broad market is locked in on this week’s Trump-Xi meeting in Beijing, but this is no longer just a trade summit. Increasingly, the meeting is becoming tied directly to Iran, energy security, and the growing global economic fallout from disruptions through the Strai...