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Health experts call for regular testing of staff and animals after coronavirus found at 400 breeding units across Europe

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All mink farms are at risk of becoming infected with Covid-19 and spreading the virus, and staff and animals should be regularly tested, EU disease and food safety experts said on Thursday.

Mink are highly susceptible to coronavirus, which spreads rapidly in intensive farms that often breed thousands of animals in open housing caged systems (outdoor wire cages covered with a roof). Humans are the most likely initial source of infection.

Denmark, the world’s largest exporter of mink fur, announced that it would cull up to 15 million mink in November, after discovering a mutated variant of the virus that scientists feared might have jeopardised the effectiveness of future vaccines.

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New group has written to Noble Foods near River Wye, where chemical runoffs are said to be causing serious damage

The heads of some of the biggest agricultural suppliers are being targeted in a campaign to stop their activities polluting rivers.

River Action, a new group focusing on the state of UK rivers, is launching its first campaign by writing to the chief executive of Noble Foods, one of the biggest egg producers operating around the River Wye, where pollution from increasing numbers of free range poultry farms is said to be seriously damaging the river.

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Bushy variety of cotoneaster works best in areas of heavy traffic, say researchers, while other plants can cool buildings or reduce flooding

Bushy, hairy-leafed cotoneaster is a “super plant” that can help soak up pollution on busy roads, horticultural experts have said.

Scientists at the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) looked at the effectiveness of hedges for soaking up air pollution, comparing different types of shrubs including cotoneaster, hawthorn and western red cedar.

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Plus, researchers recommend four environmental citizen programs to join. It's never been easier. Claudia Santori, PhD candidate, University of Sydney Ricky Spencer, Associate Professor of Ecology, Western Sydney University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

RenewEconomy and sister sites The Driven and One Step off the Grid kicked off Facebook as small publications set to lose out in broader media battle.

The post RenewEconomy and sister sites blocked on Facebook, along with other media appeared first on RenewEconomy.

Nationals senators set to derail Morrison government legislation with a plan to open up Australia's green bank to nuclear power investments.

The post Nationals push nuclear power in new attempt to highjack CEFC changes appeared first on RenewEconomy.

Australian gas giant flags major write-down in the value of troubled processing plant on Victoria’s east Gippsland coast.

The post Gas giant writes down gas processing plant as it weighs rapid decarbonisaton appeared first on RenewEconomy.

Australia's largest wind project remains idle, and ongoing delays means Origin Energy has to pay a large penalty for not producing enough renewable energy certificates.

The post Australia’s biggest wind farm faces yet more delays, Origin to pay penalty appeared first on RenewEconomy.

Oil and gas giant announces planting of 3.6m native trees in Western Australia, a headline action in a cluster of seemingly climate friendly initiatives.

The post Don’t be fooled by Woodside’s tree planting, hydrogen and CCS plans appeared first on RenewEconomy.

Fortescue to channel 10 per cent of future profits into renewable energy to help meet its green hydrogen ambitions.

The post Fortescue puts aside $400m for new hydrogen, wind and solar projects appeared first on RenewEconomy.

IPART flags another “likely” reduction to NSW rooftop solar feed-in tariff, as it prepares to set new benchmarks for the next three financial years.

The post Regulator flags another cut in solar feed-in tariffs in NSW appeared first on RenewEconomy.

Origin Energy says things could get messy with coal plants heading towards early closures, as it reports first half profits slashed by 98 per cent.

The post Origin profits collapse as it prepares for ‘messy’ coal exit and big battery plans appeared first on RenewEconomy.

The Comcar fleet has chosen a Tesla Model 3 and a Hyundai Ioniq in a two-year trial to "assess viability".

The post Federal MPs to ride in Tesla Model 3 and Hyundai electric cars in Comcar trial appeared first on RenewEconomy.

Frozen wind turbines are being blamed for power failures - but problems with fossils fuels are a bigger issue.

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Nasa's Perseverance rover is aiming for Jezero Crater, considered “too dangerous” for previous spacecraft.

EU carbon allowances likely face more downside risk after retreating from an all-time high above €40 this week, analysts said Wednesday, with warmer European temperatures set to weigh.

A clearer picture is emerging as Texas continues to suffer through a major blackout - massive coal and gas issues have caused the problems.

The post How sudden trips of gas and coal plants triggered Texas energy catastrophe appeared first on RenewEconomy.

Canada will explore increasing the annual stringency of performance standards under the ‘backstop’ output-based pricing system (OBPS) after next year in order to meet the country’s long-term GHG reduction goals, the federal environment ministry announced in kicking off a review of the large emitter programme.

Victoria to establish a separate body to manage and prioritise billions of dollars of network upgrades required to support the state's transition to 50% renewables.

The post Victoria creates new body to modernise grid for wind and solar transition appeared first on RenewEconomy.