Julia Ratcliffe, a technical consultant with The Bug Factory, a company that supplies insects for natural pest control, examines marijuana plants for pests at the MediJean medical marijuana facility in Richmond, B.C., on Friday March 21, 2014. The number of Canadian firms applying for lucrative medical marijuana licences has topped 1,000, as a so-called 'greenrush' continues to overwhelm Health Canada. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

image credit: Photo for: Applications up, approvals slow for med weed

By Dean Beeby, The Canadian Press

OTTAWA - The number of Canadian firms applying for lucrative medical marijuana licences has topped 1,000, as a so-called "greenrush" continues to overwhelm Health Canada.

So far, only two new licences have been approved this summer even as the department tightens the application rules and as nervous investors await decisions on their multimillion-dollar bids.

Health Canada says that as of Aug. 25, it had received 1,009 formal licence applications to grow medical weed since a call for proposals was issued last year, with 462 returned as incomplete, 201 rejected and 32 withdrawn.

That still leaves almost 300 applications being assessed.

Some 13 licensed producers are actively providing medical marijuana to patients, while another nine Health Canada-approved producers are about to market their products.

Just two new licences were issued in the last three months, raising questions among applicants about why the department's approval process is so slow.

In July, Health Canada tightened the rules for prospective producers, increasing some security requirements to ensure inventories of medical marijuana were stored in secure facilities.

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Applications up, approvals slow for med weed

Julia Ratcliffe, a technical consultant with The Bug Factory, a company that supplies insects for natural pest control, examines marijuana plants for pests at the MediJean medical marijuana facility in Richmond, B.C., on Friday March 21, 2014. The number of Canadian firms applying for lucrative medical marijuana licences has topped 1,000, as a so-called "greenrush" continues to overwhelm Health Canada. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

OTTAWA The number of Canadian firms applying for lucrative medical marijuana licences has topped 1,000, as a so-called greenrush continues to overwhelm Health Canada.

So far, only two new licences have been approved this summer even as the department tightens the application rules and as nervous investors await decisions on their multimillion-dollar bids.

Health Canada says that as of Aug. 25, it had received 1,009 formal licence applications to grow medical weed since a call for proposals was issued last year, with 462 returned as incomplete, 201 rejected and 32 withdrawn.

That still leaves almost 300 applications being assessed.

Some 13 licensed producers are actively providing medical marijuana to patients, while another nine Health Canada-approved producers are about to market their products.

Just two new licences were issued in the last three months, raising questions among applicants about why the departments approval process is so slow.

In July, Health Canada tightened the rules for prospective producers, increasing some security requirements to ensure inventories of medical marijuana were stored in secure facilities.

A spokesman for the department says the new restrictive rules have not affected the approval process.

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Applications up, approvals slow for Health Canada medical marijuana licences

OTTAWA The number of Canadian firms applying for lucrative medical marijuana licences has topped 1,000, as a so-called greenrush continues to overwhelm Health Canada.

So far, only two new licences have been approved this summer even as the department tightens the application rules and as nervous investors await decisions on their multimillion-dollar bids.

Health Canada says that as of Aug. 25, it had received 1,009 formal licence applications to grow medical weed since a call for proposals was issued last year, with 462 returned as incomplete, 201 rejected and 32 withdrawn.

That still leaves almost 300 applications being assessed.

Some 13 licensed producers are actively providing medical marijuana to patients, while another nine Health Canada-approved producers are about to market their products.

Just two new licences were issued in the last three months, raising questions among applicants about why the departments approval process is so slow.

In July, Health Canada tightened the rules for prospective producers, increasing some security requirements to ensure inventories of medical marijuana were stored in secure facilities.

A spokesman for the department says the new restrictive rules have not affected the approval process.

The increased security requirements have not had an impact on the processing of active applications, said Gary Scott Holub in an email.

Even so, some applicants say the move appears to be aimed at smaller players, to discourage them from applying. And some still-unapproved firms are under pressure from their impatient investors, who have leased buildings, hired staff and paid legal fees with no returns in sight.

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Health Canada overwhelmed by medical marijuana licence applications, approvals slow

Andy Howards Pest Control also handles many other types of businesses for commercial pest control in the Austin and surrounding areas.

Preventive commercial pest control maintenance is important. Larger businesses that have a high traffic flow are at a greater risk pest infestation. It takes only a few pests to build up infestation.

Rodents, ants, flies, and cockroaches are common commercial problems. Monthly pest control maintenance will prevent these problems. On an initial inspection, we will thoroughly search for any possible problems.

If a pest control problem exists, we will give you a fair solution to your problem. Not only is liability an issue with a business that has a pest infestation, but your businesses reputation is on the line as well. Protect yourself; call Andy Howards Pest Control to make an appointment for an inspection.

Currently, we serve the following industries:

Medical Offices Restaurants Apartment Complexes Day Care Facilities Home Owners Associations Golf Courses Beauty Salons City/County office buildings Convenience Stores Veterinarian Offices Storage Facilities

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Commercial Pest Control Services - Andy Howard's Pest ...

(MENAFN - Arab News) Facilities Management (FM) services contracts in the UAE could be valued at approximately AED20 billion per annum by next year according to G4S a leading global security and outsourcing group in UAE.

The statistic included FM services that ranged from cleaning services pest control office services landscaping waste management and building management systems with the exclusion of security services an average of 60 percent of most industries in the UAE may outsource its FM requirements says the firm.

G4S which employs more than 11500 employees in the UAE to provide manned security services electronic security solutions and cash solutions in addition to FM believes that the emirates' ongoing delivery of new commercial and residential buildings coupled with an increasing demand for ever-higher levels of service provision will see the industry continue to grow healthily into the next decade.

"Annual growth in the UAE is driven by the construction boom as well as the increasing customer demand for improved service levels not just personnel" said Dubai-based Nigel Hall UAE director of outsource service in G4S with reference to an internal study held by G4S.

"The single most important critical improvement we are seeing in the UAE market is the sophistication of the contracting. FM contracts are becoming more integrated more metric-based and crucially longer in duration. The combined effect of these improvements is better service for customers and of course improved cost-efficiency for all parties. The UAE is the GCC's leader in this respect" Hall added.

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UAE facilities management industry may hit AED20bn by 2015

Irvine, CA (PRWEB) August 26, 2014

Bird B Gone, the worlds larger manufacturer of professional bird control products for commercial, industrial and residential applications was recently granted a US patent for its Repeller 360 Bird Deterrent. The wind-powered device provides an effective and humane solution for keeping pest birds off boats, docks, AC units, light posts, signs, rooftops, skylights and more!

When dealing with pest birds, it is essential to take a proactive approach. Birds, bird droppings, and nesting materials can negatively impact our surroundings by creating multiple health and safety risks. Effective bird control solutions keep our environment safe as bird droppings and nesting materials have been known to carry 60 known diseases including E. Coli, Salmonella, Psittacosis and fungal infections. Bird B Gone, Inc. continues to lead the bird control industry with innovative and cost effective humane bird control solutions including the patented Bird B Gone Repeller 360.

Bird B Gone Repeller 360 is a humane spinning bird deterrent used to prevent birds from landing. Covering areas up to 6 ft. in diameter, Bird B Gone Repeller 360 uses wind power to spin continuously and scare birds away from the protected area. Bird B Gone Repeller 360 is pre-assembled, easy to install, and can be used in a variety of settings.

Bird B Gone Repeller 360 spins in the wind to prevent large birds such as gulls, pigeons and crows from landing in areas where pest birds create problems. The unit deters pest birds in a wide 6-foot diameter swath, keeping birds from perching and loitering. Easy to set up, Repeller 360 features two "sails" mounted at both ends of a 6-foot stainless steel arm. Each sail features a reflective and intimidating predator eye. When the wind spins, Repeller 360s arms intimidate and frighten any bird pests daring to land near them. The wind-powered arms rotate continuously in the slightest breeze.

Because Bird B Gone Repeller 360 uses sustainable wind energy, it can be placed virtually anywhere pest birds gather, perch, or roost. No electrical cords or connections are required. The unit is easy to set up using a patented clip that locks it into place. Engineered for outdoor use, Repeller 360 uses UV-protected materials, including polycarbonate fins and a rugged base supported by two stainless steel rods which ensures lasting performance in punishing outdoor weather. Each Repeller 360 comes standard with a glue-on base that can be glued down permanently to flat surfaces. To maximize portability, optional bases available to secure the Repeller 360 include a removable railing mount and sand bag base (sold separately). Bird B Gone Repeller 360 is manufactured by Bird B Gone, Inc. in the United States.

Features and Benefits of Repeller 360 Bird Deterrent

Bird B Gone is the worlds largest manufacturer and distributor of professional grade bird deterrents and is an industry leader in commercial, industrial, and residential bird control. Bird B Gone offers the largest variety of bird spike systems, bird netting, electric track systems, bird repellents, and bird deterrents. At Bird B Gone, "it's more than just bird control, its faith, family and friends".

Excerpt from:
Bird B Gone Granted US Patent for its Wind-Powered Repeller 360 Bird Deterrent

The detection of an adult Asian Citrus Psyllid in an insect trap in a residential neighborhood in Cayucos has prompted a high density trapping delimitation survey of the surrounding area to determine if an infestation exists.

Since March, 2014, Pest Detecion Specialists from the County Department of Agriculture and the California Department of Food and Agriculture have trapped Asian Citrus Psyllids in the cities of San Luis Obispo and Arroyo Grande. Quarantines restricting the movement of citrus nursery stock and citrus fruit are in effect in a five-mile radius surrounding the San Luis Obispo and Arroyo Grande detection sites. A quarantine for Cayucos will also be established by the California Department of Food and Agriculture to prevent the spread of this serious plant pest. Control efforts will take place in the near future in the area immediately surrounding the Cayucos site.

Staff from the San Luis Obispo County Agricultural Commissioners office and officials from the California Department of Food and Agriculture continue to search for this pest by monitoring hundreds of insect traps placed in urban neighborhoods and commercial orchards throughout the county.

This insect pest is of serious concern to Californias commercial citrus growers because it is responsible for spreading Huanglongbing, also called citrus greening disease, a plant disease that is fatal to all types of citrus trees. This includes citrus trees in countless landscapes across the county as well as commercial citrus orchards grown in San Luis Obispo County which were valued at over $13 million in 2013. A single citrus tree infected with Huanglongbing was found in a Los Angeles County backyard in 2012. To date no additional detections of the disease in California have occurred. The disease does not affect human health Martin Settevendemie, County Agricultural Commissioner/Sealer asks community members to avoid moving citrus plants or plant parts outside quarantine areas to avoid the risk of spreading this serious pest.

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Asian Citrus Psyllid Triggers Infest Investigation

NEW innovative lures for trapping major horticultural pests will soon give growers an effective tool for better on-farm integrated pest management.

Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry business manager Jodie Campbell said the new traps would help growers control both banana spotting bugs and fruit spotting bugs, leading to less crop damage and improved productivity.

"Banana spotting bugs and fruit spotting bugs are two major pests of a wide range of tropical and subtropical crops including avocado, macadamia, papaya, mango, limes and custard apples," she said.

"These pests were notoriously difficult to monitor, which is a large reason why growers in tropical and sub-tropical regions of Australia were forced to use broad-spectrum cover sprays.

"After more than 20 years of research and development, DAFF entomologists are now seeing very promising results from these new lures that use pheromones to trap and monitor the bugs.

"The pheromone lures have been effective in attracting both male and female spotting bugs and the 'sticky panel' trap component we designed is highly effective at catching these bugs.

"We are now at the stage of working with a commercial partner to maximise the potential of the lures to benefit the Australian horticultural industry.

"This is great news for growers, who will be able to access this technology from around mid-2015."

Organic Crop Protectants was selected as the commercial partner to take the innovative lure technology to the market.

"OCP is a well-qualified company that has been commercially focused in the business of integrated pest and disease management for over 20 years," Ms Campbell said.

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New lures use pheromones to trap and monitor bugs

Alan Nelson holds a family portrait of his granddaughter, Seana Tapp, daughter Margaret Tapp and grandson Justin Tapp. Picture: News Corp Source: News Limited

THIRTY years after Margaret Tapp and her daughter Seana were found dead in their suburban Melbourne home, the identity of the killer is still a mystery. But could a pair of Dunlop volleys be the key to cracking this case? And could a suspect appear out of the blue?

THE deviate who murdered Margaret Tapp then raped and killed her little girl 30 years ago this week is probably reading this, hoping no one notices his fascination. What he wont know is that he has claimed another victim: Margarets only son, Justin.

Justin Tapp wasnt strangled like his mother and his little sister, Seana. He was slowly poisoned by the horror of what happened to them. He rarely spoke about it but was haunted by the thought that if hed been at home at the time, maybe it wouldnt have happened. He was only 14 then just old enough to blame himself over the evil act that took two lives and destroyed his.

Calendars are cruel for the broken-hearted. For Justin, the unbearable became too much recently as time moved closer to the 30th anniversary of the murders at Ferntree Gully in early August, 1984.

He had left Australia in 2001, but could not escape the demons that had already cost him a career and a marriage in Melbourne. In England, he was Tappy the chirpy, cricket-loving Aussie who was good at cooking and computers. He soon met Wendy ODonovan, the woman who would be his greatest support besides his mothers older sister, Joan Nelson, but it wasnt enough.

Behind the cheerful false front was a broken man who lost jobs and wore down relationships because he drank to blot out the nightmares. He ended up alone and unemployed in a tiny rented apartment north of London, a prisoner of his past and his crumbling psychological state. Not that he was abandoned. His Australian relatives stayed in touch as best they could.

His former partner Wendy and her two daughters remained friends and tried to stop him brooding alone in his flat. It was Wendy who found him dead on June 3 when she went to check on him. No one knows if he deliberately suicided or accidentally drank and drugged himself into oblivion.

The body had deteriorated so much the British coroner insisted on not only a toxicology report but formal identification by DNA testing.

This is ironic, because it is bungled or incomplete DNA tests that have covered the trail of the man who murdered Margaret and Seana Tapp. Justins death is the third act of a tragedy in a family let down by modern forensic science and old-time police work.

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The vile crime that fell through the cracks

The detection of an adult Asian Citrus Psyllid (ACP) in an insect trap in a residential neighborhood in northeast San Luis Obispo has prompted a high density trapping delimitation survey of the surrounding area. A quarantine restricting the movement of citrus nursery stock and citrus fruit will be established by the California Department of Food and Agriculture to prevent the spread of this serious plant pest. Control efforts will take place in the near future in the area immediately surrounding the detection.

This is the second detection of ACP in San Luis Obispo County. The first detection occurred this past March in Arroyo Grande; only a single ACP was detected. Intensive trapping and visual surveys are ongoing, but no additional insects have been detected. However, a quarantine restricting the movement of citrus nursery stock and citrus fruit remains in effect in a five-mile radius surrounding the Arroyo Grande detection site.

The first detection of ACP in California occurred in San Diego County in 2008. Since then, it has been found throughout Southern California. This insect pest is of serious concern to Californias commercial citrus because it is responsible for spreading Huanglongbing, also called citrus greening disease, a plant disease that is fatal to all types of citrus trees. This includes citrus trees in countless landscapes across the county as well as local commercial citrus orchards valued at over $13 million in 2013, according to Martin Settevendemie, Agricultural Commissioner/Sealer for San Luis Obispo County. Over the past ten years nearly 50% of the commercial citrus groves in Florida have been killed by this disease. The University of Florida estimates the disease has tallied more than 6,600 lost jobs, $1.3 billion in lost revenue to growers and $3.6 billion in lost economic activity for the state. The disease does not affect human health.

A single citrus tree infected with Huanglongbing was found in a Los Angeles County backyard in 2012. To date no additional detections of the disease in California have occurred.

Staff from the San Luis Obispo County Agricultural Commissioners office and officials from the California Department of Food and Agriculture continue to search for this pest by monitoring hundreds of insect traps placed in urban neighborhoods and commercial orchards throughout the county.

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Adult Citrus Psyllid Caught in Insect Trap