Agriculture / Agribusiness

cows factory farming

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Report: EU Livestock Farming Has “Major Negative Consequences”, Consumption Patterns Must Change

Wageningen University & Research (WUR) recently hosted its annual Mansholt Lecture, which aims to “inspire European policymakers and stakeholders on critical societal issues, particularly those related to sustainable agri-food systems and the living environment”. This year’s lecture focused on land use, and is accompanied by a report titled Key dilemmas on future land use for agriculture, forestry and nature in the EU. A significant theme is the negative impact of livestock farming and the need for a change in consumption patterns. The report discusses five key dilemmas: Self-sufficiency While the EU has a high level of food security, it is highly dependent on imported raw materials such as fertilisers, energy, and animal feed. The region could produce more protein crops and oilseeds, but it would …

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Veganic Summit 2024

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The 2nd Annual Veganic Summit Celebrates Vegan Organic Farming as a Powerful Solution to Agriculture Free from Animal Inputs

The second annual Veganic Summit kicks off today, based in Quebec Canada, and taking place online from November 8th to 10th. A special event fully dedicated to vegan organic farming and gardening, the summit will allow participants to learn valuable, sustainable, animal-friendly techniques in one place. The Veganic Summit is organized by Meg Kelly and Stephane Groleau from the Veganic Agriculture Network and Learn Veganic of Canada, with UK-based Vegan Organic Network as a key collaborator. Additional collaborators include The Vegan Society (UK), Certified Veganic (Canada), and media partner VeggieVision TV (UK). Following the success of last year’s inaugural summit, which saw over 1,300 registrants gather for the largest event worldwide focused on veganic farming and gardening, the 2024 event anticipates more than 2,000 registrants. …

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UK crops

Image courtesy of ProVeg International

What’s Next for the Future of Food in Europe?

The world urgently needs to change the way it produces (and consumes) food. Our current agricultural practices are major contributors to climate change, land degradation, and resource depletion. In fact, the global food system is responsible for a staggering one-third of all global emissions,[1][2][3] with animal-based foods accounting for up to 20% of human-made greenhouse gases.[4][5] Even if we eliminated fossil fuels today, ignoring the food system would make it impossible to keep global warming below 1.5°C.[6] Change needs to happen from the top down – with support from policymakers and policies that can empower and enable food industry stakeholders to build a more sustainable food system. On September 4th, President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen received the Strategic Dialogue’s final report …

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Global meat industry and world beef production food concept

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Scientists Challenge “The Dublin Declaration” Urging Meat Reduction in Wealthy Nations

Scientists from various European universities published a rebuttal to The Dublin Declaration of Scientists on the Societal Role of Livestock in the journal Nature Food today. Lead author Chris Bryant, honorary research associate at the University of Bath and director at Bryant Research, described the paper as a “clear and concise takedown” of the declaration’s central argument: reducing meat consumption is unnecessary. “Livestock is too precious” The Dublin Declaration was launched at the Irish government agricultural agency Teagasc in 2022, signed by over 1,000 scientists. It has received media coverage in outlets like the Telegraph and the New York Post. The paper emphasizes the benefits of meat consumption in terms of nutrition, environment, and social aspects, describing livestock as “too precious to society to become …

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Poultry at a factory farm

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Global Organizations Push to End Factory Farming and Present Roadmap for “Just Transition” at Climate Week NYC

The Center for Biological Diversity and World Animal Protection unveiled a white paper yesterday, co-produced with more than 50 contributors, urging the phase-out of industrial animal agriculture to address its impact on climate change, humans, and animals at a panel during Food Day at Climate Week NYC. According to the white paper, the industrial animal production system, including industrial fishing and aquaculture, is fundamentally inequitable, inefficient, and financially flawed. It is a leading driver of climate change, with experts agreeing that global emissions from animal production must decline by 50% by 2030 to meet the Paris Agreement targets. In addition, industrial animal farming is a significant source of animal suffering and one of the greatest threats to biodiversity, contributing to habitat loss, water pollution, and …

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Webtalk Recording: Anthropogenic Agriculture – Regenerative Revolution?!

The recording of the webtalk “Anthropogenic Agriculture – Regenerative Revolution?!” offers insights into the intersection of human-influenced farming practices and the potential for a shift towards regenerative agricultural systems. The discussion featured a panel of experts, including Tobias Menne, Vice President of Global Sales at constellr; Ivo Degn, Co-Founder of Climate Farmers; Dr. Philipp Wree, Department Lead at Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft; and Nadine Filko, who served as moderator. The experts came together to explore how regenerative agriculture, focusing on restoring soil health, biodiversity, and ecosystem balance, can serve as a sustainable alternative to conventional methods. Key topics included the compatibility of a plant-based food system with regenerative agriculture, opportunities and risks of modern farming techniques, and the effects of climate change on agriculture. These discussions underscored the …

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Frances Gonzales founds biocyclic vegan farm

Frances Gonzales. Image supplied.

Vegan Wines Founder Starts Biocyclic Vegan Farm to Revolutionize Sustainable Agriculture

Frances Gonzalez, the founder of Vegan Wines, has opened a biocyclic vegan farm in New York’s Hudson Valley. She hopes the project, which is called Little Logan’s Farm, will become a national educational hub for an ethical and sustainable food system. Visitors will be invited to the farm to learn how biocyclic vegan principles can be used to grow premium plant-based produce, along with the potential of these methods to revolutionize agriculture in the United States. A range of events will be offered to make biocyclic farming more accessible, including workshops, farm tours, and hands-on experiences. Full-day experience The first event, which takes place on September 28, will see guests transported to the farm from New York City and given a chance to explore. They …

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The Transfarmation Project

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Former Poultry Farm in North Carolina Transformed into Organic Farming and Research Center

A former poultry farm in Wadesboro, North Carolina, has been converted into a 15,000-square-foot greenhouse dedicated to organic farming and agricultural research. The facility, previously used to breed approximately 540,000 chickens annually, will officially open on September 6, 2024. The project is part of The Transfarmation Project, an initiative under Mercy For Animals, which supports farmers transitioning from factory farming to more sustainable agricultural practices. Tom and Sokchea Lim, the farm’s owners, have transitioned from poultry farming to cultivating a variety of vegetables, including tomatoes, lettuce, berries, and mushrooms. The facility will also serve as a research center focused on developing and promoting organic farming alternatives for former poultry farmers. “This transformation is more than a new beginning for our farm; it is also a …

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Derek Sarno helps turn former chicken farm into mushroom-growing operation

Derek Sarno. © Oh Brother Creative

Derek Sarno Helps Transform Ex-Chicken Farm Into Mushroom-Growing Operation in “UK-First” Project

In a groundbreaking new project, a former chicken farm in Norfolk, England, has been transformed into a sustainable mushroom-growing operation. The vision for the initiative was provided by Chef Derek Sarno, who partnered with The Little Mushroom Co. and Smithy Mushrooms to make his idea a reality. According to Sarno, the project is a UK-first and there is nothing similar elsewhere in the country. The initiative has been documented in a short film produced by Oh Brother Creative, which is now available to watch on YouTube. The film demonstrates the evolution of the farm and the teamwork and innovation that made it possible. Display “The future of cooking is about to change forever” from YouTube Click here to display content from YouTube. Learn more in …

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Paul Shapiro

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Op Ed: Paul Shapiro, CEO of The Better Meat Co – Plant-Based is Paramount; Organic is Overrated

Paul Shapiro is the CEO of The Better Meat Co, producer of ‘Rhiza’ mycoprotein for blended products which recently received FDA no-questions GRAS approval. In 2018, he wrote the book Clean Meat, on the then-burgeoning subject of what was then called clean or lab-grown meat and now commonly known as cultivated meat. In this piece, which Shapiro fully acknowledges will be controversial and is certain to ruffle feathers, he puts forth the notion that organic agriculture may in fact be more detrimental to the environment than conventional. The following are the views of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of the publication. Is organic agriculture worse than conventional for the environment and animals? By Paul Shapiro When I was 15, I harbored certain …

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Session 4 of the ‘update’ Webtalk Series: Anthropogenic Agriculture – Regenerative Revolution?!

The new international business webtalk series ‘update’ discusses the most pressing issues of the ongoing protein transition. Based on the latest news, data, and facts, the future of the industry will be put forward and discussed with key market players in this series of talks. Session 4 of the ‘update’ Webinar Series: Anthropogenic Agriculture – Regenerative Revolution?! September 12th, 10:30 AM CT (CHICAGO) | 5:30 PM CEST (BERLIN) | 4:30 PM BST (LONDON) >> Register now! Agripic: Where we are coming from Agriculture is at the heart of our food system. On the contrary; FoodTech, which aims to create a sustainable future with this system, often does not take the needs of farmers and our land into account. And while we are relentlessly searching for a sustainable …

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Ivy Farm sausage dish

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Report: Cultivated Meat Could Provide Opportunities for Some UK Farmers

A report by the UK’s Royal Agricultural University (RAU) has investigated how the widespread adoption of cultivated meat could impact UK farmers. The results indicate that under the right circumstances, cultivated meat could provide opportunities for some farmers, such as supplying animal cells or raw materials for cultivated meat production. It may also be possible for farmers to turn crop or animal byproducts into an income stream by selling them as cultivated meat ingredients. According to the report, using these byproducts as amino acid sources could reduce the cost and environmental footprint of cultivated meat production. Other farmers may be able to gain private investment in order to produce cultivated meat on their own farms. However, it is believed that this would cost about 30% …

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Image courtesy of ProVeg International

Boosting the Alternative Protein Market Through Reformation of VAT and Subsidies

Current policies on Value Added Tax (VAT) and agricultural subsidies are major hurdles to achieving a sustainable and fair food system. Though these financial tools were designed to promote economic stability and growth in the UK and EU, they now unintentionally contribute to inequality and environmental damage, favouring the traditional meat and dairy industries. In the latest New Food Hub article, ProVeg International breaks down the current landscape for VAT and subsidies within the UK and EU and discusses how policymakers and businesses can work to create a fairer food system. The problem with the current system In many countries, the VAT system is stacked against plant-based foods. Meat and dairy products often benefit from lower tax rates or even exemptions, while plant-based alternatives are …

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Belgian Presidency, flags in Brussels

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The Future Of European Agriculture Agreed in Ministerial Document Calling for “Enhanced Attention” to Plant Protein

The priorities for the future of European agriculture have been summarised in a document published by Belgium, which this week concluded its six-month Presidency of the EU Council before handing over to Hungary. The document, titled Presidency Conclusions on the future of agriculture in the EU, was agreed by all member states except for Romania, which voted against it, and Slovakia, which abstained. The document notes that various climate-friendly agricultural practices can provide solutions to environmental and climatic challenges. The document, published by the Belgian Presidency, suggests in paragraph 23 that farmers have made progress in helping the EU achieve its climate, biodiversity, environmental, animal welfare, and other sustainability objectives. Said paragraph states that “various climate-friendly agricultural practices can provide solutions to environmental and climatic …

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Study aims to boost legume crop yields in Italy

© LEG-ITA

Study Aims to Boost Legume Crop Yields in Italy, Improving Plant Protein Self-Sufficiency

According to LEG-ITA, a project working to increase legume crop yields in Italy, less than 5% of European utilised agricultural area is devoted to grain legumes. Consequently, European self-sufficiency in plant proteins is poor, with the region relying mainly on imported soybeans. To address this, a two-year LEG-ITA study conducted in partnership with the Sant’Anna School of Advanced Studies aims to identify key factors influencing the yield stability of grain legumes. Low yield stability is one of the most prominent reasons why farmers prefer other crops, and solving this issue could incentivise more growers to choose legumes. In turn, this could play an important role in improving the sustainability of the food system. The researchers will collect data on growing conditions for grain legumes, cultural …

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Four cows in a field

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Denmark to Introduce “World’s First” Carbon Tax on Animal Agriculture

Denmark looks set to introduce what is claimed to be the world’s first carbon tax on agriculture, following negotiations between the government, farmer organisations, trade unions, industry, and environmental NGOs. The agreement is expected to be formally approved by the Danish parliament in August, and will see a tax of DKK 300 per tonne CO2e introduced on livestock emissions from 2030. This will rise to DKK 750 per tonne CO2e in 2035, but with a basic deduction of 60%; this means that the effective tax will be DKK 120 (€16) per tonne in 2030 and DKK 300 (€40) per tonne in 2035. The proceeds raised by the tax in 2030-31 will be returned to the industry as a support fund to aid the green transition. …

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Gary Smith, Evolutus PR

Gary Smith, image supplied

Op Ed: Gary Smith, Co-Founder, Evolotus PR – Here’s What You Need to Know About Bird Flu, Non-Vegans

Gary Smith has contributed essays and columns to Newsweek, Jewish Journal, Moment Magazine, Tricycle Magazine, Jewish Chronicle, Jewish Independent, Mother Nature Network, Elephant Journal, and several books. He lives in Los Angeles, California. Through his work at Evolotus, Gary represents clients in the industry including Voyage Foods, PoLoPo, Planetarians, WNWN Food Labs, and BioCraft Pet Food. Here Gary pens an open letter to non-vegans about the harsh reality of bird flu, explaining that “the federal government is encouraging poultry growers to continue the practices that create the risk of contagion, increasing the need for future culling and reimbursement”. An open letter to non-vegans about bird flu By Gary Smith The next pandemic, the H5N1 bird flu virus, has officially jumped to mammals, including humans—a Michigan …

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Prairie Fava

© Prairie Fava

Protein Industries Canada Launches $24.5 Million Plant-Based Food Development Project

Protein Industries Canada recently announced a new initiative in partnership with Roquette, Prairie Fava, BioNeutra, and Plant Up to advance plant-based food innovation and market diversification. The $24.5 million project seeks to enhance Canadian companies’ competitiveness by developing new ingredients and food products, improving process efficiencies, and exploring new market opportunities for co-products. The project will address several challenges currently faced by the plant-based industry, including increasing global competition and the demand for improved taste and ingredient functionality. Focusing on pea and fava beans, the consortium will work on developing new fava-based ingredients and applications for pea starch and fibre, expanding product offerings and creating new market avenues for protein, starch, and fibre. Government support Canadian Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry, The Honourable François-Philippe …

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VEGEPOLYS VALLEY International

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Plant Innovation Cluster Vegepolys Valley: 679 Members & €2.2 Billion in Investments Since 2019

France’s Vegepolys Valley is the fourth largest competitive cluster in the country in terms of members, with 679 actors from the plant sector — from genetics to products — innovating for a more competitive, qualitative, environmentally, and health-friendly agriculture. Flavie Delattre, the new president of Vegepolys Valley, told La Tribune in an interview that in 2023 alone, the membership count saw a substantial increase with the addition of 130 new players (reaching 645), indicating a genuine commitment to advancing plant-based innovation, even amid challenging circumstances. The cluster’s operations are implemented across four French historical regions — Pays de la Loire, Auvergne Rhône Alpes, Bretagne, and Centre Val de Loire. The members’ profiles are diverse, encompassing a range of plant-related companies, including VSEs/SMEs, startups, large corporations, …

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hands holding soy on a farm

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PBFA Submits Recommendations to USDA on Strengthening Specialty Crops

The Plant Based Foods Association (PBFA) and the Plant Based Foods Institute (PBFI) have recently submitted comments in response to the USDA’s request for information on the Specialty Crops Competitiveness Initiative (SCCI). This initiative aims to strengthen the agricultural production of key ingredients for plant-based foods, reflecting the USDA’s increased efforts to support the specialty crops sector and improve the competitiveness of its products. Objectives of the SCCI The SCCI is designed to enhance research, market development, and support for farmers in the specialty crops industry, which includes most fruit, nut, and vegetable crops, as well as pulses like dry peas, beans, lentils, and chickpeas. The initiative focuses on administrative improvements to maximize the impact of existing Farm Bill programs, addressing challenges related to climate …

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