Shocking good news: Smithfield Foods, the nation’s largest hog producer (aka The Death Star of Pork), is voluntarily phasing out the use of “farrowing crates,” the too-tiny cages for nursing sows that animal-welfare activists have been successfully banning through several state votes. However, it is only for facilities that Smithfield actually owns — like many large producers, it also contracts lots of independent hog farmers to raise the animals for them — and they’re giving themselves until 2017. But still. Des Moines Register
Say goodbye to sashimi: The World Wildlife Fund says that Japan — which has admitted to overfishing tuna but denies wrongdoing — must curb its appetite for the fish or drive tuna to extinction. Japan consumes over a quarter of the world’s tuna catch. Guardian UK
King of Corn: The ethanol industry gets a big boost from Bush, in his State of the Union speech. Washington Post
Fiber is still good for you: University of Leeds researchers have determined that eating an extra 10 grams (.35 ounces) of fiber halves the risk of breast cancer among pre-menopausal women. High protein intake, being overweight or obese, and low Vitamin C consumption also play a role. BBC
California’s stake in the Farm Bill: An op-ed explains why California’s 53 members of Congress need to get engaged about agriculture and ensure that the 2007 Farm Bill serves the interests of the state. San Francisco Chronicle
Water, water: The U.N. is calling for China and India to change unsustainable agriculture practices. Parts of China and India have reached the limit of their natural water supplies. Oddly, there is no mention of excessive water use in other countries (and we could name a few). Guardian (UK)
Needs more blood, and maybe some salt: Laura Miller doesn’t think much of Tristram Stuart’s “The Bloodless Revolution.” Salon
They have an ethical living columnist?: The Observer’s ethical living columnist lays out an odd scheme for tracking one’s carbon footprint in “carbs,” equal to 100 grams of CO2, with a goal of losing 50-90% of one’s carb weight. There are a number of good suggestions, even if you don’t like calorie carb counting. The Observer
Tighten your green belt: A British think tank has called for the end of the green belt policy, which protects open spaces around urban centers. Critics challenge that a loss of the green belt would result in urban sprawl and the exchange of greenery for concrete. Guardian (UK)
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