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UN Climate Crisis Roadmap Criticized for Ignoring Meat Reduction

In a critique published in the journal Nature Food, academic experts are challenging the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization's (FAO) new climate crisis roadmap for neglecting meat reduction strategies and alternative proteins like plant-based meat. They express concern over the roadmap's lack of transparency in selecting the list of supported actions, arguing that it hampers any assessment of the roadmap's recommendations against existing scientific evidence which consistently highlights the benefits of reducing meat consumption. This follows several allegations of censorship regarding livestock's climate impact by former FAO officials. Cleo Verkuijl, one of the authors of the critique, stated: “It’s very striking: the FAO doesn’t include one of the clearest interventions that would help meet both environmental and health targets.”

Mexico Passes Historic Law to Support Access to Sustainable and Nutritious Foods

Mexico’s legislature approved the General Law on Adequate and Sustainable Food. Describing it as “historic,” the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations summarized the legislation as “prioritizing the right to health, the environment, water, and the best interests of children in all policies related to adequate nutrition by the Mexican State.” The legislation promotes “the production, supply, fair and equitable distribution, and consumption of nutritious, sufficient, quality, safe, and culturally appropriate foods” and emphasizes plant-based foods.

EPA Establishes New Office of Agriculture and Rural Affairs

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the establishment of “the first-ever EPA Office of Agriculture and Rural Affairs,” which will “forge practical, science-based solutions that protect the environment while ensuring a vibrant and productive agricultural system.” The office also will “collaborate with small, underserved towns and rural communities that are seeking federal investments in infrastructure upgrades and other community improvement opportunities.” EPA Administrator Michael Regan made the announcement with Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack at the 2024 Commodity Classic, the “largest farmer-led annual convention in the country.”

Conservation Groups Sue Federal Agencies to Protect ESA-Listed Birds and Fish from Livestock Grazing

The Center for Biological Diversity and the Maricopa Audubon Society sued the U.S. Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (FWS) in the U.S. District Court for the District of Arizona, alleging the agencies have violated the Endangered Species Act (ESA) by authorizing livestock grazing that jeopardizes habitat for endangered birds and fish within the Agua Fria National Monument. The groups are seeking declaratory judgment and an order requiring the agencies to take certain actions, including requiring BLM “to take the actions necessary to prevent any further irreversible and irretrievable adverse impacts” to the yellow-billed cuckoo and the Gila chub and to their habitat.

Dairy Farmers of Canada Launches Program to Reward Consumers for Purchasing Canadian Dairy

The Dairy Farmers of Canada (DFC), an agriculture industry support group, has launched a program that rewards consumers for purchasing Canadian dairy products. Consumers who sign up for the program can receive access to special offers, contests, recipes and other materials. While DFC touts the program as a way to support local farmers and promote transparency, there are concerns about the program's influence on consumer choices and its potential to overshadow alternative, more ethical and sustainable options.

Federal Bill to Ban Air Export of Horses for Slaughter Considered by Standing Committee on Agriculture and Agri-Food

The House of Commons Standing Committee on Agriculture and Agri-Food met to consider Bill C-355, the Prohibition of the Export of Horses by Air for Slaughter Act, sponsored by Liberal Member of Parliament (MP) Tim Louis. The bill aims to ban the export of live horses from Canada by air for the purpose of being slaughtered or fattened for slaughter. Louis emphasized the bill targets only this specific practice, not impacting other livestock sectors. He cited the humane concerns of transporting horses in cramped conditions for slaughter. Ontario Liberal MP Leah Taylor Roy said: “There is great support for banning the export of horses. Very specifically, the concern is about how these animals suffer when they are being transported.”

Study in Colorado Finds CAFO Methane Emissions Higher Than Previously Estimated

A new study concluded that livestock may have a more significant climate impact than previously believed. The study used spectrometers to measure and compare emissions from concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs) and oil and gas operations in Colorado. Researchers found that while emissions from oil and gas operations had plateaued in the study area, CAFO emissions were 3.5 times higher than 2012 greenhouse gas inventory estimates from the Environmental Protection Agency. The researchers attributed this disparity to be “in part due to the spatial distribution of sources” and concluded that “more monitoring is needed to improve agriculture emissions factors.”

Study Reveals Industry Influence on Climate Research at US Universities

A new study in the journal Climatic Change scrutinizes University of California, Davis (UC Davis) and Colorado State University's agricultural research centres, which, despite focusing on livestock emissions, rely heavily on industry funding. Authors Viveca Morris and Jennifer Jacquet suggest these centres function more as industry advocates, promoting meat and dairy consumption, rather than conducting independent research. UC Davis' CLEAR Center, led by Frank Mitloehner, and Colorado State's AgNext, led by Kimberly Stackhouse-Lawson, maintain strong ties to the livestock industry and have received significant industry donations. The authors argue such ties compromise research integrity and mislead climate policy discussions, raising concerns about industry influence on academic research and its implications for climate action.

Bill Would Require USDA to Reevaluate Safety of Seven Food Ingredients in Meat, Poultry, and Egg Products

H.R. 7588 would require the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)’s Food Safety and Inspection Service to reassess the safety of butylated hydroxyanisole, butylated hydroxytoluene, cetylpyridinium chloride, sodium aluminum phosphate, sodium nitrate, sulfuric acid, and titanium dioxide as additives in meat, poultry, and egg products for human consumption. The bill was introduced by Representative Janice Schakowsky along with three original cosponsors and referred to the House Committee on Agriculture.

Federal Minister of Agriculture Announces Funding to Prevent Animal Disease Outbreaks

Lawrence MacAulay, Canada’s Minister of Agriculture, has announced an investment of up to $1,697,850 for Animal Health Canada to bolster their role in foreign animal disease prevention and preparedness efforts in Canada, including for African swine fever (ASF) and Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD). Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’s African Swine Fever Industry Preparedness Program is investing $999,900 in this initiative while the Canadian Food Inspection Agency is contributing $697,950 through its Federal Assistance Program. These investments will support the prevention and control of ASF and FMD through such things as the analysis of surveillance data, providing essential training, and supporting partner roles and responsibilities.