• Philippines president Gloria Arroyo banned fishing in the waters of Guimaras, which needs rehabilitation from an oil spill that has occurred in early August. Local leaders, residents, and a group of militant fishermen unanimously resisted the ban, saying the move would result in a national fish crisis and affect food security. Experts say, ban will lead to 20 per cent decrease in fish production

• European Union agriculture ministers turned down seven-year-long authorisations for two toxic pesticides: azinphos-methyl and vinclozolin. Azinphos-methyl is classified as an organophosphate insecticide used on a wide variety of fruits and vegetables, while vinclozolin is classified as a fungicide used on rapeseed and ornamental flowers

• On September 28, 2006, Japan confirmed its 29th case of mad cow disease, a month after resuming imports of US beef that had been blocked due to concerns over the brain-wasting illness.