PRESS RELEASE
For immediate release

The Composting Association is delighted to announce that from 1 August 2008 it will be known as the

Association for Organics Recycling

This change reflects our response to, and evolution of, the changing nature of waste management and reinforces our role as the leading UK organisation in raising awareness of the benefits of recycling biodegradable resources.

Excellent prizes to be won including a car 

The Composting Association welcomes you to an exciting golf day at Staverton Park, near Daventry.  Come on your own or invite valued customers or staff and play as a team on the prestigious Championship designed 18-hole golf course, playing to Stableford rules. 

The Annual Report to Parliament setting out progress of the UK's Climate Change Programme was published by Defra today.  The document brings together material, most of which has been released previously, to provide a full summary of statistical data and Government activity in the field of climate change in the last 12 months.

In response to recent news coverage about active ingredients aminopyralid and clopyralid in a range of herbicide products approved for use in the UK, The Composting Association advises biowaste processors and local authorities to take precautionary actions.

If present in compost, residual concentrations of herbicide active ingredients aminopyralid or clopyralid can have toxic effects on susceptible plant species.  Risks are influenced by the proportion of affected input material in any one composting batch, how long ago the herbicide was used, and how much affected compost is used in connection with the growing of any susceptible plant species.

A risk assessment study supported by WRAP is considering the issues and available evidence.  The Composting Association is in contact with Defra, WRAP and the Pesticides Safety Directorate regarding this issue and will keep its members informed of progress.