Foreword

2017 has kicked off in exciting style for Monsanto, who have not only acquired licenses for two different gene editing technologies, but have also announced encouraging results from their 2016 field trials.
The technologies they have acquired include the CRISPR Cpf1 technology, which has potential to be a much simpler and precise gene-editing technology than previous CRISPR incarnations such as the Cas9, and Monsanto believes that by expanding its already large portfolio of gene technologies it will be best placed to utilise its extensive knowledge of...

Other News this Month Includes:

Policy

• EU Commission launches consultation on Common Agricultural Policy
• Sustainable Fuel Register approved for Renewable Heat Incentive
• Fees introduced for Biomass Suppliers List applicants
• France outlines bioeconomy strategy
• NEPCon OÜ loses SBP & FSC approved status in Russia

Markets

• Concern over US-Mexico relations hits US maize market
• High UK wheat price set to hit exports
• Mixed fortunes for wood pellet market in forecasts
• EU wood pellet demand could double by 2020
• US wheat stocks reach highest point in 30 years

Research & Development

• Toray teams up with Mitsui to produce cellulosic sugar
• Nitrogen and Phosphorous from Waste Water for use as Fertiliser
• Ethanol from Cassava pulp
• New agricultural gene technology licensed by Monsanto
• Monsanto licenses GenoMAGIC
• Napiergrass has reduced net GHG footprint compared to Sugarcane

Wood & Crop

• UK's WRA announces partnership with German BAV
• Billion-Ton Biomass Report - A Sustainability Update
• Enviva hopes to export pellets to DONG
• Forest Fuels opens new depot in Liverpool
• Microbe inoculants dramatically increase crop yield
• Database demonstrates Miscanthus yield more than double that of Switchgrass

Other Feedstocks

• Species diversity improves algal crop survival, but not yield

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