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Avian flu may have lost its status as front page news, but concern remains that the virus may mutate to become a very serious human health threat. Two other livestock diseases, BSE and Foot and Mouth Disease, are also causing continuing concern: BSE in the US, which has lost major beef export markets as a consequence, and FMD in Uganda and Zimbabwe, prejudicing their production and exports. All are covered this month in New Agriculturist The other major topic that continues to draw attention, feeding anxiety in some and frustration in others is genetic modification, and we report the continuing debate of should we....shouldn't we....? This includes the controversy over GM crop releases in the EU, the introduction of GM cotton to Mali, and the failure of GM sweet potatoes in Kenya to live up to expectations.

However, not all news is bad news! This month's Focus on section is the second devoted to weeds, and all our reports reflect positive and successful developments in weed management. More good news, but regarding coffee, comes from Malawi and Nicaragua, where success is being found in quality production and good marketing. Where better to hear good news than on the radio? In print this month includes a review of The one to watch, which looks at how radio's ability to combine with other information technologies can make it the medium of choice for rural communication. And our Country Profile on Mozambique is another encouraging story, demonstrating the resilience and recovery of a country and its people following a long civil war and then devastating floods.

But, for all the outbreaks of disease, repeated disappointments, and emergence of issues that result in acrimonious debate, agricultural development continues to underpin the fortunes of the majority of people. And New Agriculturist is pleased to report and be part of this vital development process.

Points of view What makes a technology successful? Focus on Weeds (part 2) Bogged down with aquatic weeds? Direct approaches to weeds in rice Weeds in Zambia - a microcosm Biological control 'silver bullet' Putting weeds to work Weed control - the future? In Print The one to watch: radio, new ICTs and interactivity A people's world: alternatives to economic globalization The custodians of biodiversity State of the World 2004 Afghanistan Seeds that give: participatory plant breeding Recognising Rift Valley fever Biotechnology and sustainable development: voices of the south and north Perspective Reaching the poor: a call to action By Christie Peacock, Chief Executive of FARM-Africa

News GM crops in EU? Sweet prospects turn sour Failure with GM sweet potatoes Veterinary drug fatal to vultures Building on past success - Uganda Salvaging coffee - Nicaragua Opportunity missed for diversification Foot and Mouth - Uganda . . . . . . and Zimbabwe Drought disaster for South Africa Alternatives for poppies? Breeding better bees New commitment to agriculture GM cotton for West Africa Developments Avian flu: coming home to roost? Small scale silage - bags of potential US BSE Update: Meaty matters Coffee: it's the marketing that counts Country Profile Mozambique Picture feature Power to the people

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