meat
Newsletter
Meat and dairy companies prioritize advertising over emissions reduction
Meat and dairy companies invest minimal revenue in climate measures while spending significantly on advertising, a new report reveals.
In short:
- Major meat and dairy companies allocate a small fraction of their revenue to emissions reduction, with Brazilian giant JBS spending just 0.03%.
- The sector, responsible for over 14% of global greenhouse gas emissions, faces accusations of greenwashing due to misleading sustainability claims.
- Companies target younger consumers through social media, while opposing stricter environmental laws behind the scenes.
Key quote:
“They claim to be committed to climate solutions while employing deceptive tactics to distract, delay and derail meaningful action. These tactics mirror those of Big Oil and Big Tobacco, allowing them to continue their harmful practices unchecked.”
— Nusa Urbancic, CEO of Changing Markets Foundation
Why this matters:
Agriculture, particularly livestock farming, is responsible for a substantial share of greenhouse gas emissions, deforestation, and biodiversity loss. Methane, a potent greenhouse gas emitted by cattle, and the extensive land and water resources required for meat and dairy production, pose significant environmental challenges. Despite these issues, major players in the industry have made only minimal commitments to reduce their carbon footprint.
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Credit: TatyanaGl/Big Stock Photo
Lab-grown pet food gains approval in the UK
Britain has authorized the sale of lab-grown meat for pet food, marking a pioneering step in Europe.
In short:
- Meatly, a British biotech company, received approval to sell lab-grown chicken cell meat for pets.
- The UK’s move follows Brexit, enabling more flexible regulations compared to the EU.
- Advocates highlight environmental and ethical benefits, such as reduced animal slaughter and pollution.
Key quote:
“We don’t need to raise or kill any animals…Instead of 50 billion chickens a year, it’s one egg, one time, and we’ve created an infinite amount of meat.”
— Owen Ensor, chief executive of Meatly
Why this matters:
Lab-grown pet food can significantly reduce the environmental impact of pet ownership by cutting down on traditional livestock farming. This innovation also addresses ethical concerns associated with meat production, potentially transforming the pet food industry.
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Newsletter
Credit: Antonio Groß/Unsplash
University research supports meat industry's image
University researchers are helping meat producers improve their public image through funded research.
In short:
- The National Pork Board funds the Real Pork Trust Consortium to counter negative perceptions of the pork industry.
- Historically, land-grant universities have partnered with the agriculture industry to boost productivity, now focusing on addressing environmental impacts while maintaining industry growth.
- Critics argue these partnerships prioritize industry profits over public and environmental health.
Key quote:
"It's sort of like increasing public trust in coal mining-based energy production, lead-based paint manufacturing, leaded fuel-dependent transportation, asbestos-dependent construction methods, or DDT-based pest control."
— Crystal Heath, veterinarian and founder of animal advocacy nonprofit Our Honor
Why this matters:
Industry-funded research at universities can bias scientific inquiries toward profit-driven goals, potentially compromising public and environmental health. While research can lead to improvements in livestock farming practices, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, improving animal welfare, and ensuring safer food products, critics argue that industry-funded research might downplay the negative impacts of meat production and promote findings that favor the sponsors.
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Credit: Erik Karits/Unsplash
Lone star tick spreads northward, causing concern over meat allergy
A tick known to cause meat and dairy allergies is spreading north, alarming health officials as summer tick activity rises.
In short:
- The lone star tick, once rare in the northeast and Great Lakes, is spreading due to warmer winters and an increased deer population.
- This tick can cause alpha-gal syndrome, a severe allergy to red meat, with over 110,000 suspected cases in the U.S. from 2010 to 2022.
- Health officials advise preventing tick bites by using repellents and wearing protective clothing outdoors.
Why this matters:
The spread of the lone star tick increases the risk of alpha-gal syndrome, potentially altering diets and lifestyles. As global temperatures rise, regions that were once too cold for the lone star tick are becoming more hospitable. Milder winters and longer warm seasons provide a conducive environment for these ticks to survive and reproduce.
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Newsletter
Florida bans the sale of lab-grown meat
Florida has become the first state to ban lab-grown meat, sparking a heated debate on food innovation and public health.
In short:
- Governor Ron DeSantis signed SB 1084, making it illegal to sell, manufacture or distribute cultivated meat in Florida.
- A person could face 60 days in jail and a fine of up to $500 if they are found guilty of breaking the law.
- Upside Foods and GOOD Meat, companies authorized to sell lab-grown meat accused the law of protecting traditional agriculture interests.
Key quote:
"We believe that cultivated meat is essential for the future of food and people should have the right to choose what they eat."
— Dr. Uma Valeti, CEO and founder of Upside Foods.
Why this matters:
Banning cultivated meat could stifle innovation and limits consumer choice. As lab-grown meat could offer environmental and ethical benefits, such legislation may hinder progress towards more sustainable food production methods.
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Credit: Antonio Groß/Unsplash
Denmark plans world's first emissions tax on livestock
Denmark will introduce the world's first emissions tax on livestock, aiming to cut greenhouse gases from cows, pigs, and sheep starting in 2030.
In short:
- Starting in 2030, farmers will pay about $43 per metric ton of carbon dioxide equivalent produced by livestock, rising to $108 in 2035, with partial tax deductions.
- The tax aims to reduce Denmark's emissions by 1.8 million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent in 2030.
- The bill includes creating over 600,000 acres of new forests and supports the agriculture sector’s green transition.
Key quote:
"We will be the first country in the world to introduce a real [carbon dioxide equivalent tax] on agriculture."
— Jeppe Bruus, Danish Tax Minister in a statement.
Why this matters:
Methane, produced through digestion in ruminant animals like cows and sheep, has a much higher heat-trapping ability than carbon dioxide on the short term, making livestock farming a critical area for climate action. In fact, the sector represents between 14 to 19% of all global emissions. By imposing this tax, Denmark aims to incentivize farmers to adopt more sustainable practices and reduce the environmental impact of their livestock operations.
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UN
Photo by Daiga Ellaby on Unsplash
Leaders ignore animal agriculture's role in climate change at G7 and Bonn summit
World leaders failed to address the significant climate impact of animal agriculture during recent G7 and Bonn climate conferences, despite growing evidence of its environmental harm.
In short:
- The G7 summit and Bonn Climate Change Conference focused on financial debates, omitting discussions on the climate impact of animal agriculture.
- Animal agriculture contributes significantly to greenhouse gas emissions, yet international talks rarely address it directly.
- The new Apulia Food Systems Initiative aims to aid poorer nations' agricultural adaptation but does not address livestock emissions.
Key quote:
“We’re seeing, essentially, the cow in the room being ignored.”
— Stephanie Feldstein, population and sustainability director at the Center for Biological Diversity
Why this matters:
Animal agriculture is a major driver of climate change, responsible for significant methane emissions and environmental degradation. Advocates say addressing this issue is crucial for achieving global climate goals and mitigating planetary warming.
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