The Month in a Minute: October 2024

A report from the World Wildlife Foundation revealed that over the past 50 years, wildlife populations have shrunk by 73 percent thanks to habitat loss caused by unsustainable agriculture, with a whopping 82 percent of all farmland used for grazing and producing feed for livestock. Plus, bird flu deaths are rising among California dairy cows, with a higher than expected 10 to 15 percent mortality rate. Two new human cases were diagnosed in California, with experts stating “we could have a major human outbreak” on our hands.

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Meanwhile, bird-flu infected cattle were dumped at a California roadside.

Pork producers launched an ad campaign fighting for a federal solution to Prop 12, with adverts claiming small family farmers will be crushed.

Meanwhile a new report highlights farmers supporting Prop 12, with some claiming “we tore all our gestation crates out… and we’re doing better.”

And in the the UK, lab-grown meat could be sold in next few years, with applications for lab-grown steak, beef, chicken and foie gras already submitted.

Here are more headlines that caught our attention this month:

Agriculture

Corporate meat and the overall consolidation of the agriculture industry has created rural rage and no one in politics is being vocal about curbing big ag.

A report by farm action looks at how monopoly power has expanded since the 1980s when anti monopoly laws stopped being enforced.

Climate

Hurricane Helene wrecked the US’s chicken farming capital in Georgia where 107 farms have been destroyed or badly damaged. It is estimated that anywhere from 2.14 to 5.56 chickens have died although official numbers have not been released.

Scientists have criticized the UN for its livestock emissions report which downplays the role of dietary change in lowering emissions.

Health

37% of Veganuary participants have reduced the meat they eat by three quarters.

These Blue Zone diets have helped people become centenarians with mostly plant based whole foods.

Law & Justice

Immigrant workers are the backbone of our food system as Civil Eats reports with a list of stories highlighting the contributions of immigrants to the food system and communities.

A film titled, “First time Home,” follows the children of indigenous Mexican immigrant farm workers in the western US traveling to their ancestral village in Mexico.

Gavin Newsom has signed into law a bipartisan bill that bans octopus farming in California, a big win for cephalopods.

Future of Food

Moolec, a molecular farming company, has gotten approval from the USDA for their genetically modified peas which can produce beef protein.

Scientists want less red meat to be in the US dietary guidelines, and this will brew some tension.

From Sentient

A slaughterhouse moratorium is on the ballot in Denver, which could make it the first city to ban slaughterhouses.

The weed killer paraquat may be behind farmers experiencing Parkinson Disease.