In an attempt to reduce plastic waste, Spain will ban the sale of fruit and vegetables wrapped in plastic from 2023, El Pais reported citing sources familiar with the initiative.&nbsp;

The supermarkets and grocery stores will be prohibited to sell plastic-wrapped fruit and vegetables from 2023, mentioned&nbsp;a decree reportedly drafted by Spain's Ministry for Ecological Transition.&nbsp;

The main goal of the draft decree is to reduce the sale of plastic bottles by half, and for 100% of packaging on the market to be recyclable, same sources revealed.&nbsp;

The report mentioned that the new regulation on fruits and vegetable packaging will apply to products&nbsp;weighing under 1.5kgs and also encourage the purchase of loose, unpackaged produce and the use of non-bottled water.&nbsp;

ALSO READ | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/volcanic-eruption-could-last-three-months-in-spains-canary-islands-say-experts-415314">Volcanic eruption could last three months in Spain’s Canary Islands, say experts&nbsp;</a>

The aim was to "combat in the most effective way the overuse of packaging", a spokesperson for the Spanish government said. The Spanish media also reported that the ministry, headed by Teresa Ribera, shared the main guidelines after holding meetings with leading business associations and environmental groups. &nbsp;

The report also mentioned that the decree aims to incorporate European Union rules into Spain's legislation. Also note, that similar legislation in France will go into effect next year.&nbsp;

It can be understood that the action has been taken after pressure from environmental groups like Greenpeace to ditch packaging on fresh produce mounted.&nbsp;

Now, Julio Barea of Greenpeace has welcomed the ban on fruit and vegetable packaging but he also warned and urged to analyse exactly how the ban would be applied.&nbsp;

In an attempt to reduce plastic waste, Spain will ban the sale of fruit and vegetables wrapped in plastic from 2023, El Pais reported citing sources familiar with the initiative.

In an attempt to reduce plastic waste, Spain will ban the sale of fruit and vegetables wrapped in plastic from 2023, El Pais reported citing sources familiar with the initiative. The supermarkets and grocery stores will be prohibited to sell plastic-wrapped fruit and vegetables from 2023, mentioned a decree reportedly drafted by Spain's Ministry for Ecological Transition. The main goal of the draft decree is to reduce the sale of plastic bottles by half, and for 100% of packaging on the market to be recyclable, same sources revealed. The report mentioned that the new regulation on fruits and vegetable packaging will apply to products weighing under 1.5kgs and also encourage the purchase of loose, unpackaged produce and the use of non-bottled water. ALSO READ | Volcanic eruption could last three months in Spain’s Canary Islands, say experts The aim was to "combat in the most effective way the overuse of packaging", a spokesperson for the Spanish government said. The Spanish media also reported that the ministry, headed by Teresa Ribera, shared the main guidelines after holding meetings with leading business associations and environmental groups. The report also mentioned that the decree aims to incorporate European Union rules into Spain's legislation. Also note, that similar legislation in France will go into effect next year. It can be understood that the action has been taken after pressure from environmental groups like Greenpeace to ditch packaging on fresh produce mounted. Now, Julio Barea of Greenpeace has welcomed the ban on fruit and vegetable packaging but he also warned and urged to analyse exactly how the ban would be applied.

Spain set to ban sale of plastic-wrapped fruits and vegetables from 2023: Reports

Our childhood must have memories of trips to the bustling local bazaar. I remember the mountains of vegetables and fruit stacked in cane baskets. A riot of colours and smells. The sounds of hawkers calling out, and customers haggling and talking. The meats and the fish was in a corner towards the end, fresh flowers and the nariyal paani guy sat at the entrance. The emergence of supermarkets and online grocery stores might have changed things a little in urban centres, but most of India still shop for food from similar ‘wet markets’ in their neighbourhood, either early morning or on their way back from work.

A live animal market in Wuhan was held responsible for the pandemic that has dragged the world to a massive slowdown. The exact origins of the virus is unknown, but given that the outbreak in the initial phases was linked to a local wet market in Wuhan, questions are being asked about the safety of such markets. Close proximity of species, unhygienic conditions and stressed animals, which results in lower immunity, can be dangerous. Birds, reptiles, amphibians and mammals are all potential threats. There is a real possibility of newer, deadlier viruses making the jump from them to us.&nbsp;

World leaders led by the UN, have called for a global ban on wildlife markets to prevent future pandemics such as the COVID-19. There are growing calls, particularly from the western world, to shut down live animal markets. But despite their valid fears, it will not be a sustainable solution. Wet markets are a part of the culinary culture of the east. The tradition is to eat fresh food, not frozen, bought from a vendor you trust, not a faceless corporation who has packaged and neatly labelled your meat. Australia’s Prime Minister is ‘totally puzzled’ by this phenomenon, which is but a way of life for us.&nbsp;

Millions of traders, hawkers, butchers and vendors in India make their living through markets like these. The size of our meat, poultry and fish business is well over billions of dollars. Over 70 per cent of our country is non-vegetarian, and although poultry is most consumed, we also eat porcupine, deer, frogs, boar, worms, rabbits, snakes, snails, quails, tortoise, bison and dogs.&nbsp;

Wet markets are cheaper, more personal and no doubt they are fresher. Yes, rules are flouted, exotic animals sold, livestock stacked mercilessly and entrails, faecus, blood and feather clot the drains. Most of the meat we consume is farmed, where animals are reared, pumped with antibiotics and bred solely to be consumed. All of that ideally should change.

But a total ban is unfair. It doesn’t solve the problem. There is a risk of infection every time we encroach on forests to build settlements. Animals are slaughtered not just in the markets, but for religious ceremonies. They are killed for food and medicine. A ban will only lead to a thriving black market, where controls will be even tougher.&nbsp;

Food is essential for life. So much of our culture, memories, habits and customs are associated with food. There is enough historical evidence to show that we ate a vast variety of meats even thousands of years ago. The Vedas listed around fifty animals that were suitable for sacrifice, and hence could be consumed. This diversity is our culinary heritage. What we eat, how we source it, cook it and eat it, defines our choices and who we are.

Traditional markets are under the scanner for the right reasons, but banning them is not a solution. Even contemplating such a move, is inherently unfair.&nbsp;

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL) .&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

Our childhood must have memories of trips to the bustling local bazaar. I remember the mountains of vegetables and fruit stacked in cane baskets. A riot of colours and smells.

Our childhood must have memories of trips to the bustling local bazaar. I remember the mountains of vegetables and fruit stacked in cane baskets. A riot of colours and smells. The sounds of hawkers calling out, and customers haggling and talking. The meats and the fish was in a corner towards the end, fresh flowers and the nariyal paani guy sat at the entrance. The emergence of supermarkets and online grocery stores might have changed things a little in urban centres, but most of India still shop for food from similar ‘wet markets’ in their neighbourhood, either early morning or on their way back from work. A live animal market in Wuhan was held responsible for the pandemic that has dragged the world to a massive slowdown. The exact origins of the virus is unknown, but given that the outbreak in the initial phases was linked to a local wet market in Wuhan, questions are being asked about the safety of such markets. Close proximity of species, unhygienic conditions and stressed animals, which results in lower immunity, can be dangerous. Birds, reptiles, amphibians and mammals are all potential threats. There is a real possibility of newer, deadlier viruses making the jump from them to us. World leaders led by the UN, have called for a global ban on wildlife markets to prevent future pandemics such as the COVID-19. There are growing calls, particularly from the western world, to shut down live animal markets. But despite their valid fears, it will not be a sustainable solution. Wet markets are a part of the culinary culture of the east. The tradition is to eat fresh food, not frozen, bought from a vendor you trust, not a faceless corporation who has packaged and neatly labelled your meat. Australia’s Prime Minister is ‘totally puzzled’ by this phenomenon, which is but a way of life for us. Millions of traders, hawkers, butchers and vendors in India make their living through markets like these. The size of our meat, poultry and fish business is well over billions of dollars. Over 70 per cent of our country is non-vegetarian, and although poultry is most consumed, we also eat porcupine, deer, frogs, boar, worms, rabbits, snakes, snails, quails, tortoise, bison and dogs. Wet markets are cheaper, more personal and no doubt they are fresher. Yes, rules are flouted, exotic animals sold, livestock stacked mercilessly and entrails, faecus, blood and feather clot the drains. Most of the meat we consume is farmed, where animals are reared, pumped with antibiotics and bred solely to be consumed. All of that ideally should change. But a total ban is unfair. It doesn’t solve the problem. There is a risk of infection every time we encroach on forests to build settlements. Animals are slaughtered not just in the markets, but for religious ceremonies. They are killed for food and medicine. A ban will only lead to a thriving black market, where controls will be even tougher. Food is essential for life. So much of our culture, memories, habits and customs are associated with food. There is enough historical evidence to show that we ate a vast variety of meats even thousands of years ago. The Vedas listed around fifty animals that were suitable for sacrifice, and hence could be consumed. This diversity is our culinary heritage. What we eat, how we source it, cook it and eat it, defines our choices and who we are. Traditional markets are under the scanner for the right reasons, but banning them is not a solution. Even contemplating such a move, is inherently unfair. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL) .

Local markets are a way of life

The Wholesale Price Index (WPI) for all commodities for the month of July 2017 registered a 1.1 percent surge from June, and was recorded at 113.9 (provisional) from 112.7 (provisional) for the previous month.

The numbers registered the annual rate of inflation, based on monthly WPI, stood at 1.88 percent (provisional) for the month of July, 2017, as compared to 0.90 percent (provisional) for the previous month and 0.63 percent during the corresponding month of the previous year.

Build up inflation rate in the financial year so far was 0.62 percent, compared to a build up rate of 3.81 percent in the corresponding period of the previous year

The index for the Food Articles group rose by 6.2 percent to 147.6 (provisional) from 139.0 (provisional) for the previous month, owing to higher price of fruits and vegetables (29 percent), peas (six percent), ragi (four percent) and condiments and spices, barley, poultry chicken and paddy at one percent each.

However, the price of betel leaves, tea, arhar, fish and jowar declined by 21 percent, five percent, four percent and one percent respectively.

In the Non-Food Articles group, the index rose by 0.6 percent, at 118.5 (provisional) from 117.8 (provisional) for the previous month, due to higher price of raw rubber (eight percent), safflower (four percent) and castor seed (one percent).

However, the price of groundnut seed, raw silk and jute and sesamum declined by four percent, three percent and one percent respectively.

The index for Crude Petroleum and Natural Gas&nbsp;group declined by 7.8 percent to 64.0 (provisional) from 69.4 (provisional) for the previous month due to an 11 percent decline in the price of crude petroleum.

The index for Manufacture of Tobacco Products&nbsp;group declined by 0.5 percent to 143.6 (provisional) from 144.3 (provisional) for the previous month due to lower price of other tobacco products by three percent. However, the price of cigarette surged by two percent.

The index for Manufacture of Textiles&nbsp;group declined by 0.3 percent to 113.4 (provisional) from 113.7 (provisional) for the previous month due to lower price of viscose yarn, manufacture of cordage, rope, twine and netting and woollen yarn, cotton yarn and manufacture of other textiles. However, the price of manufacture of knitted and crocheted fabrics was up by two percent.

The index for Manufacture of Wearing Apparel&nbsp;group rose by 2.1 percent to 136.0 (provisional) from 133.2 (provisional) for the previous month due to higher price of manufacture of wearing apparel.

On the contrary, the index for Manufacture of Leather and Related Products? group declined by 0.3 percent to 119.5 (provisional) from 119.9 (provisional) for the previous month due to lower price of canvas shoes, chrome tanned leather, harness, saddles and other related items and gloves of leather.

However, the price of belt and other articles of leather saw a surge by three percent.

The price of betel leaves, tea, arhar, fish and jowar declined by 21 percent, five percent, four percent and one percent respectively

The Wholesale Price Index (WPI) for all commodities for the month of July 2017 registered a 1.1 percent surge from June, and was recorded at 113.9 (provisional) from 112.7 (provisional) for the previous month. The numbers registered the annual rate of inflation, based on monthly WPI, stood at 1.88 percent (provisional) for the month of July, 2017, as compared to 0.90 percent (provisional) for the previous month and 0.63 percent during the corresponding month of the previous year. Build up inflation rate in the financial year so far was 0.62 percent, compared to a build up rate of 3.81 percent in the corresponding period of the previous year The index for the Food Articles group rose by 6.2 percent to 147.6 (provisional) from 139.0 (provisional) for the previous month, owing to higher price of fruits and vegetables (29 percent), peas (six percent), ragi (four percent) and condiments and spices, barley, poultry chicken and paddy at one percent each. However, the price of betel leaves, tea, arhar, fish and jowar declined by 21 percent, five percent, four percent and one percent respectively. In the Non-Food Articles group, the index rose by 0.6 percent, at 118.5 (provisional) from 117.8 (provisional) for the previous month, due to higher price of raw rubber (eight percent), safflower (four percent) and castor seed (one percent). However, the price of groundnut seed, raw silk and jute and sesamum declined by four percent, three percent and one percent respectively. The index for Crude Petroleum and Natural Gas group declined by 7.8 percent to 64.0 (provisional) from 69.4 (provisional) for the previous month due to an 11 percent decline in the price of crude petroleum. The index for Manufacture of Tobacco Products group declined by 0.5 percent to 143.6 (provisional) from 144.3 (provisional) for the previous month due to lower price of other tobacco products by three percent. However, the price of cigarette surged by two percent. The index for Manufacture of Textiles group declined by 0.3 percent to 113.4 (provisional) from 113.7 (provisional) for the previous month due to lower price of viscose yarn, manufacture of cordage, rope, twine and netting and woollen yarn, cotton yarn and manufacture of other textiles. However, the price of manufacture of knitted and crocheted fabrics was up by two percent. The index for Manufacture of Wearing Apparel group rose by 2.1 percent to 136.0 (provisional) from 133.2 (provisional) for the previous month due to higher price of manufacture of wearing apparel. On the contrary, the index for Manufacture of Leather and Related Products? group declined by 0.3 percent to 119.5 (provisional) from 119.9 (provisional) for the previous month due to lower price of canvas shoes, chrome tanned leather, harness, saddles and other related items and gloves of leather. However, the price of belt and other articles of leather saw a surge by three percent.

WPI up by 1.1% from June, inflation at 1.88%?