Monthly Archives: July 2010

“Big Ag” Wins Kudos for Being “Green”

Terry D. Etherton

Scientists at Stanford University have published provocative new findings that agriculture’s “Green Revolution” has greatly reduced forest clear-cutting and resulting climate-warming emissions.  This is a remarkable (but not unexpected) benefit of contemporary production agriculture, and the application of technologies (and biotechnologies) that have boosted efficiency of food production.  Because agricultural “advancements” like fertilizers and genetically engineered crops have boosted yields, there has been less need to slash and burn for additional fields, and this has meant fewer carbon emissions, the report says. The study, titled “Greenhouse Gas Mitigation by Agricultural Intensification,” was published in the June 29 issue of the Proceedings of the National Academy of SciencesContinue reading “Big Ag” Wins Kudos for Being “Green”

EU Ban Could Spark Cloned Animal Trade Dispute

Terry D. Etherton

I never cease to be amazed at the political process in Europe that keeps hindering adoption of safe and effective ag biotechnologies.  The latest folly occurred on July 7, 2010 when Members of the European Parliament (MEP) renewed their appeal for a ban on food from cloned animals when they voted on novel foods legislation.  At this time, there are no European Union (EU) rules to specifically allow or ban dairy products and meat from cloned animals.  While the Commission and Council wanted to have cloned meat covered by novel food rules that are already in place, MEPs instead called for new legislation to expressly prohibit the sale of meat from cloned animals and their descendants.

This decision is astonishing given that in July 2008 the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) announced its final scientific opinion that food from cloned cattle and pigs is safe, and there are no implications of animal cloning on the environment!

As I have written in previous blogs, this is another EU decision that is based on politics not science – more of the Luddites at the Gate phenomena that I have written about previously! Continue reading EU Ban Could Spark Cloned Animal Trade Dispute

Farmers in Europe Demand Fairer Access to GM Crops

Terry D. Etherton

An interesting news release from Europe came across my desk.  A group of farmers from Spain, Portugal and Romania traveled to Brussels, Belgium to convey to the European Commission that they are upset that they can not us genetically modified (GM) crops.  They urged that laws be passed to enable them to plant GM crops!

The press release follows with a link to the full report in Spanish.

Brussels, Belgium, July 13, 2010 — Farmers from Spain, Romania and Portugal presented to the members of the parliament (MPs) and representatives of the European Commission (EC) in Brussels a manifesto stating that “Biotechnology, a Tool for Agro-Food cannot be Ignored”. The manifesto points out that the rejection (by the EC) of positions and decisions about GM crops are not based in science. The report goes on to underscore that the safety of GM crops is guaranteed by the strictest and independent scientific assessment. Continue reading Farmers in Europe Demand Fairer Access to GM Crops

DAIRY INDUSTRY DRAWS ANIMAL WELFARE TARGET ON ITS OWN BACK

Chad Dechow
Associate Professor, Dairy Cattle Genetics
Department of Dairy and Animal Science
The Pennsylvania State University

Several high profile undercover videos of animal abuse on dairy farms have increased the pressure to implement welfare guidelines, much like the United Egg Producers’ certification program. We’re all appalled with what we have seen in some videos, and it makes it easy to assume that such a system is a terrific idea. Count me unconvinced for a host of reasons, not the least of which is that it will make dairy farms MORE likely to be targeted by animal rights groups. Let’s review how the United Egg Producer program worked for Quality Eggs of New England: Continue reading DAIRY INDUSTRY DRAWS ANIMAL WELFARE TARGET ON ITS OWN BACK

AS DAIRY TRANSITIONS TOWARD THE HOG MODEL, WILL THE SUN SET ON THE LARGE FAMILY DAIRY FARM ERA?

Chad Dechow
Associate Professor, Dairy Cattle Genetics
Department of Dairy and Animal Science
The Pennsylvania State University

Conventional wisdom maintains that large family farms are the future of the dairy industry. A 2003 Cornell University study used historical dairy industry data to project the future structure of the US dairy industry and concluded that the number of farms with fewer than 100 cows would decline by 92% from the year 2000 to the year 2020. The conclusion from many when they see such projections is that small farms are a thing of the past and that milk will be produced predominately on large family dairy farms in the future. I believe that is likely to prove incorrect and that we may witness the end of the large family dairy era. Continue reading AS DAIRY TRANSITIONS TOWARD THE HOG MODEL, WILL THE SUN SET ON THE LARGE FAMILY DAIRY FARM ERA?

Evidence is Lacking for Nutrition-Related Health Effects of Organic Food

Terry D. Etherton

Proponents of organic foods have touted many health, nutrition and safety benefits associated with the consumption of these foods.  However, credible science does not support the health, nutrition or safety claims made by the organic food industry (see Science Behind Reported Benefits of Organic Milk).  As might be expected, this has been vigorously disputed by advocates of organic food.  This is not a surprise given that deceptive use of marketing and health claims has been a core component of some campaigns to grow market share in the organic food sector.  Thus, some consumers are purchasing organic food on the belief that they are healthier than conventionally produced food. Continue reading Evidence is Lacking for Nutrition-Related Health Effects of Organic Food