1.4 billion farmers in the world depend on farmed saved seeds to feed themselves and their families. If terminator gets the go-ahead, it would spell the end of this practice of saving and replanting seeds - and so take control of meeting their own food needs out of farmers' hands.

Terminator spells trouble for peasant farmers throughout the world because they will no longer be able to save seeds to re-use from one harvest to the next. Many poor farmers cannot afford to buy seeds each year. Instead, they save, swap and share seeds that have been developed over generations. If terminator seeds are spread into the environment farmers will be forced to buy new seeds every time, making them poorer - and the big seed companies richer. Far from helping to tackle poverty, it will increase economic injustice and add to the burdens of those already living in hardship.

In May 2008 European governments will meet at the Convention on Biodiversity in Bonn to discuss Terminator Seeds. We want them to uphold and strengthen the ban they made in 2000. Poor farmers in the developing world need your help to make this happen. Here are some ways you can help persuade the British Government to do the right thing:

Progressio , an international development charity working for justice and the eradication of poverty, would like you to write to your MP, asking them to lobby the UK government to support and strengthen the ban.

They have produced a seed packet  and seed saver website to raise awareness about the threat that Terminator technology poses to poor farmers in the developing world and to the environment. The seed packet contains the letter to send to your MP.

Order seed packets by sending the seedsaver campaign team an email now or by calling 0207 354 0883.

Alternatively: Send them an email or letter, using the contents of the word document below or express your concerns in your own words. You can use the writetothem website to contact your MP by email

Independent local shops and street markets have the potential to be the UK's greenest grocers, despite intensive PR from supermarkets highlighting their environmental credentials says Friends of the Earth's `Shop Local First ' campaign, which encourages shoppers to switch their shopping away from big supermarkets to local outlets.

Research by Sheffield Hallam University has shown that big supermarkets emit on average three times as much carbon dioxide per square foot than an average greengrocer. A separate study by the Local Government Association found that a higher proportion of packaging at street markets was recyclable than in the big supermarkets.

The recent Competition Commission report on supermarkets which, says Friends of the Earth, failed to grasp the value of local shops. The environmental campaign group is concerned that if the Government follows the Commission's recommendations planning rules will be altered to allow even more big supermarkets at the expense of smaller independent shops and markets.

Friends of the Earth's food campaigner, Sandra Bell said:

"The big supermarkets may have grabbed the headlines with their promises to be green grocers, but local shops and market stalls are already ahead of them on issues like packaging and reducing car-use. Local shops have huge potential to offer genuinely local food, but they need more support from the Competition Commission, and from local and national government".

A newly published scientific study shows that the incidence of eczema in infants fed on organic dairy products, and whose mothers also consumed organic dairy products, is 36% lower than in children who consume conventional dairy products.

Whilst there is a significant body of evidence showing that organic food contains higher levels of beneficial nutrients than non-organic foods, this is the first example of a definite health impact.

Peter Melchett, Soil Association policy director said:
"Significant health benefit from eating organic food is a major landmark. But the scientists' findings of over a third fewer cases of eczema among children fits in with the experience of many people who eat organic food. Given the strong evidence that organic has more beneficial nutrients, and the absence of harmful additives, common sense suggests that organic food is better for your health. It's good to see this starting to be confirmed by scientific research."

The retailer has committed that by 2010 all conventional fresh, prepared and frozen fruit, vegetables and flowers on sale in its supermarkets will be farmed to high environmental standards using sustainable farming methods.

This will be achieved by introducing the LEAF Marque Scheme - which demands environmentally responsible standards of farming on all conventional produce in its supermarkets.

Waitrose has been using the LEAF Marque on all UK produce for the last two years and is now working with LEAF in helping growers across the globe to deliver and demonstrate their environmental credentials.  In order to achieve LEAF Marque status, farms have to demonstrate high standards of environmental stewardship. These include minimising use of pesticides, encouraging natural predators, retaining 'green corridors' to protect wildlife, conserving water and energy, as well as maintaining soil vitality through crop rotation and prevention of soil erosion. They must also demonstrate continuous improvements year on year.

While Waitrose will always aim to source within the UK, when in season, the retailer is committed to taking a holistic approach in working to reduce its environmental impact.

Mary Vizoso, Head of Fruit and Vegetable Buying at Waitrose, said: 'This scheme will make an enormous difference to the long term future of farming communities, particularly in the developing world. In Britain many of these methods are becoming more widespread but for farmers in developing countries, they are often groundbreaking.'

Benefits of the LEAF scheme can range from reduced pesticide use, saving energy and water, supporting the preservation of threatened species and helping communities manage the land in a sustainable way so it can be farmed successfully by future generations.

Case Study: Ghana

Ahuntem Farm in Ghana is one of the farms working towards LEAF Marque status and it grows pineapples for Waitrose. Farmers have been educated about the benefits of allowing uncultivated strips within borders to grow wild. Initially, the reaction among farmers was sceptical but attitudes changed when they realised that providing habitats for predator insects could reduce the requirement for expensive pesticides. Instead of using single crop cycles, the farm is looking at how different crops can be rotated to prevent soil erosion and maintain nutrient levels in the soil.

Case Study: Kenya

The Tambuzi Farm in Kenya, a pilot LEAF farm grows roses and lilies for Waitrose. It has preserved uncultivated areas around their field margins and introduced a tree conservation project on the farm. In addition, they have developed a programme to compost all green waste.