NEWS
Sorry, we’re doomed: Nearly a quarter of the solar energy captured and processed by land plants is either harvested by humans or lost due to our activities, says a new study. In parts of the world where human activity is most intense, such as Europe and southern Asia, more than half that energy is appropriated by people. Researchers say the figures also indicate how difficult it will be to increase agricultural production to feed an ever-growing global population or find sources of biofuel to replace oil and gas. (Guardian Unlimited)
Poultry drugs’ lingering effects: Chicken from producers that voluntarily stopped using antibiotics several years ago were more likely to be contaminated with antibiotic-resistant Campylobacter bacteria than chicken from producers that never used the antibiotics. The superbugs might live in the ventilation system, water, or reused bedding material. (Environmental Health Perspectives; see full article)
Mmm, irradiated mangosteens: Thailand’s luscious fruits — including mangoes, mangosteens, pineapples, rambutans, litchis and longans — have been barred as U.S. imports because they can harbor harmful insects. They will now be allowed in when irradiated at low doses to kill or sterilize the pests.
(New York Times)
All ears on the corn boom: U.S. farmers are on track to grow their biggest corn crop ever, an astonishing 12.8 billion bushels — enough for livestock feeders and the booming fuel ethanol industry. (Reuters)
Brazil anti-slavery team frees 1,100 sugar-cane farm workers (Reuters)
Not just Veggie Booty now: Super Veggie Tings Crunchy Corn Sticks have now been recalled by Robert’s American Gourmet Food over potential salmonella contamination. (FDA.gov) Related: Parents of 18-month old file first Veggie Booty salmonella lawsuit
Methane gas from small manure pit kills Mennonite farming family in Virginia (CBS News)
Harkin visits Iowa farms, vows to fight for conservation, energy innovations in farm bill (Agriculture.com)
California bills boosting state oversight of produce industry bite dust (San Jose Mercury News)
Agave growers sought to cash in on tequila boom; many now face ruin (Chicago Tribune)
COMMENTARY
Big, Big Pork: The National Pork Board takes issue with EHP’s mini-monograph on CAFOs, and one of the authors replies. The reply includes these eye-opening statistics: 54% of U.S. swine production occurs in just 110 facilities, each one with more than 50,000 hogs, and 78.5% of hog operations have more than 5,000 animals. (Environmental Health Perspectives)
Canada doesn’t need to grow its own food: A refreshingly boneheaded op-ed argues that "Canada has too many farms" and that "Canadian agriculture is gradually moving in the right direction" — by relying on imports. (Toronto Star)
Ontario farmers markets are booming, but farmers still need major help (Globe and Mail)
Food, Farming, & Food Politics events calendar
August 27th, 2007 at 1:15 pm
thanks for all the ethical epicurean info … i resolve to chew the right thing … if there’s any left on the planet … epecially the petroleum-carbon-lead developed nations