Green fare in Nuremburg: The World Organic Trade Fair, Biofach, runs from February 16th to 19th in the Exhibition Centre, Nuremberg, Germany.
With over 2,000 exhibitors from 70 countries, the fair attracts up to 33,000 visitors annually. This year, Poland has been designated as the Country of the Year, due to the exponential growth in organic farming there. The number of organic farms in Poland increased by 65 per cent from around 2,300 in 2003 to 3,800 at the end of 2004. Admission to the EU doubled the support for organic farmers, so there is considerable financial incentive for Poles to convert to organic production. At Biofach, the number of exhibitors from Poland selling produce such as organic sausages, waffles, herbs and fruit juices this year will be more than twice last year's number. Poland, the Czech Republic and Hungary are the new EU member states where organic agriculture is expected to develop most rapidly. Austria remains the country with the highest percentage of land farmed organically. An organic wine section with some 250 suppliers of wine, sparkling wine and champagne and a separate exhibition of personal care products runs alongside Biofach. See www.biofach.de for more details.
Ireland attracting more birds
Goldfinches and warblers (Chiffchaff and Blackcap) are spending more time in Ireland over the winter months due to milder weather, according to Birdwatch Ireland. Commenting on results of their 12th garden bird survey, Birdwatch Ireland's general manager Oran O'Sullivan said that within 10 years, from 1994 to 2004, the percentage of gardens in which goldfinches were spotted rose from 4 per cent to 78 per cent. Mild winters has also encouraged Chiffchaffs and Blackcaps to over-winter here rather than migrate further south to Iberia and Africa. House sparrow remains the most numerous garden visitor and robins, blackbirds and blue tits are also spotted in 99 per cent of gardens. For more information on feeding wild birds in your garden, the best plants to grow or on the Garden Bird Survey, contact Birdwatch Ireland, PO Box 12, Greystones, Co Wicklow, tel: 01 2819878. See also www.birdwatchireland.ie
And birdwatchers prepared to make a last-minute dash to the beautiful Carlingford Bay on the Cooley Peninsula will enjoy a talk by birder Eric Dempsey tonight at 8pm in the Holy Trinity Heritage Centre, Carlingford, Co Louth. Admission €5.
Dempsey will then lead a walk of the area which is a special protection area for birds tomorrow morning, leaving from the tourist office in Carlingford at 10am. Admission free. Carlingford Bay attracts a wide variety of birds such as herons, pale-bellied Brent Geese, ringed plovers, oystercatchers, cormorants and gulls. Contact the Carlingford tourist office, tel: 042-9373033 and see www.carlingford.ie
Rockfield workshops
Rockfield Ecological Estate at Rathaspic, Rathowen, Co Westmeath, begin its programme of eco-events later this month. Among the wide ranging themes covered in workshops are stone carving, wood carving, weaving, spinning and eco-art. The classes are held in restored 18th century courtyard buildings. Contact 043-76024.