Articles tagged with Agricultural Policy
A new study published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine concludes that US farm subsidy policies contribute to the worsening obesity epidemic by making unhealthy foods affordable for consumers. The study recommends investing in sustainable agriculture and prioritizing public health in agricultural policy.
Biotechnology and sustainable bioenergy crops are crucial to overcome challenges such as global atmospheric change, yield stagnation, and societal acceptance. The US has a unique opportunity to increase crop production and modify crops for rising CO2 levels.
A team of scientists from the University of Oxford proposes sustainable intensification as a policy to meet increasing food demands. The approach focuses on improving agricultural productivity while reducing environmental harm, but also acknowledges the need for broader policy changes, including dietary shifts and waste reduction.
Chinese agriculture's remarkable success in feeding the world's population comes with significant environmental costs. Massive losses of nutrients pollute streams, rivers, soil, and air, while CAFOs drive global resource consumption. Efforts to shift focus towards food security, efficient use of resources, and environmental protection ...
A new study reveals that individual and small-chain restaurant meals significantly exceed recommended daily calorie needs, with an average single meal containing two to three times the estimated calorie needs of an individual adult. The findings suggest that limiting menu labeling to large chain restaurants may not be enough to lower t...
The European Union's current policies on genetically engineered crops are undermining its competitiveness and humanitarian activities in the developing world. The authors recommend adopting rational, science-based principles to prevent economic decline and lower standards of living across the continent.
Researchers found that current costs of forest conservation are low, but future agricultural yields could increase dramatically, rendering financial incentives ineffective. This threatens the long-term viability of conservation programs in tropical developing countries.
The Climate-Smart Agriculture Global Science Conference aims to bring together scientists and policymakers from around the world to discuss climate change impacts on agriculture. The conference will focus on science-based policies and actions to slow the effects of climate change while meeting the world's need for food and sustainability.
Scientists from six countries emphasize the importance of collaboration between science and policy in addressing air pollution effects. Successful integration has led to significant improvements in reducing acid rain and eutrophication, but challenges persist, including nitrogen emissions and climate change.
A nationwide survey of food policy councils reveals that many are focusing on procurement and access, but face barriers such as lack of time and funding. The study, funded by the Johns Hopkins Center for a Livable Future, highlights key findings on the role of food policy councils in improving local food systems.
A study by Stanford University and the World Bank found that Tanzania has the potential to increase its maize exports due to predicted dry and hot weather affecting major consumer countries. The country's diverse trading partners could help hedge against severe dry weather, allowing it to profit from exports in good years.
A historic workshop in Indonesia aimed to develop a national strategy on agroforestry research, identifying key challenges such as government partiality, land tenure insecurity, and trade-offs between conservation and development. Opportunities for agroforestry were also highlighted, including international support and knowledge sharing.
Global knowledge brokers convene to address challenges of sharing knowledge with policy makers, international donors, and practitioners. The event aims to create a legacy document capturing ideas on reducing the gulf between knowledge and action.
A report by Arizona State University found that existing US laws offer numerous opportunities to incorporate health impact assessments (HIAs) in various sectors such as transportation, energy, and agriculture. HIAs can help decision makers identify and address potential health risks and benefits of their decisions.
The Commission on Sustainable Agriculture and Climate Change proposes seven policy responses to address the global challenge of feeding a world confronted by climate change. The report highlights opportunities under the Rio+20 Earth Summit, UNFCCC, and G20 mandates, and calls for changes in policy, finance, agriculture, development aid...
A new study reveals China's groundwater irrigation system is responsible for releasing over 30 million tonnes of CO2 into the atmosphere every year. This significant pollution is caused by the energy needed to pump water from underground, with some areas requiring pumps that run for miles.
A University of Illinois study found Canadian dairy farmers feel secure under the supply management system, which protects their income but restricts milk production. The system's inefficiencies have led to changes in management practices, such as reducing herd size and limiting exports.
The Health Impact Project has awarded grants to conduct health impact assessments (HIAs) in various sectors, including energy, housing, agriculture, and transportation. The assessments will help policymakers and communities anticipate potential health impacts of decisions and make informed choices.
A UW geographer argues that China's urbanization is largely driven by impoverished laborers moving to cities for employment, limiting their prospects of joining the middle class. The country's 'hukou' system restricts rural citizens' upward mobility, creating a significant income gap between rich and poor.
Scientists emphasize the importance of evidence-based policies and challenge 'policy-biased evidence' to ensure impartial decision-making. They also urge the scientific community to think globally and act with greater public engagement to guard against science misuse in policy-making.
Researchers discovered MRSA contamination in 26 out of 395 raw pork samples collected from US stores, highlighting the need for safer handling practices. The study also found no significant difference between antibiotic-free and conventionally produced pork products.
A new study by Steve Franzel and colleagues found that only 40% of expert farmers are effective disseminators, highlighting the importance of selecting farmer trainers based on their teaching skills. The study, conducted in Kenya with 225,000 smallholder farmers, suggests that extension programs should prioritize trainer selection over...
The Health Impact Project, a collaboration between Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and The Pew Charitable Trusts, has received funding from The Kresge Foundation to conduct two health impact assessments in the housing sector. The funding will support decision-making in underserved communities, addressing issues such as asthma and diabetes.
Scientists call for increased awareness, global accounting, and technological innovation to address the potential social consequences of phosphorus scarcity. The element's pivotal role in fertilizer production and its impact on food security are highlighted as key concerns.
The US and over 50 countries have integrated biofuels into fuel supply since the 1920s, with government policies relying on corn and other food crops. However, a more realistic view of biofuel potential has emerged, highlighting negative impacts on rural economies and greenhouse gas emissions.
An integrated approach combining agriculture and forestry is more effective than sparing land for forests through agricultural intensification. Agroforestry enriches soil conditions and acts as a carbon stock, helping mitigate climate change.
A nationwide team of agriculturists recommends a 'whole-system redesign' of US agriculture to achieve long-term sustainability. The approach would balance production goals with environmental, social, and economic concerns by incorporating innovative agricultural systems such as organic farming and mixed crop and livestock systems.
A research study by Universidad Carlos III de Madrid finds that traditionally irrigated Mediterranean landscape has suffered loss of cultural and ecological patrimony due to modernization. The study highlights the need for multifunctionality in hydraulic policy and conservation efforts to preserve these valuable landscapes.
A new study found that reforestation at home often leads to deforestation abroad in developing countries. International trade in forest products increased the demand for imported timber and agricultural products, contributing to net deforestation. Strengthening cooperation and certification systems can help mitigate this issue.
Experts find that adopting a healthy diet in the UK could lead to significant improvements in health outcomes, but doing so in poorer countries like Brazil may have devastating economic consequences. Reducing saturated fat consumption in these countries could result in job losses and disruption to agriculture and trade.
The Ohio State University and Ohio Supercomputer Center have received a four-year, $1.675 million federal grant to develop a computer tool called the Integrated Computational System for Energy Pricing and Policy (ICS-EPP). This model will enable analysis of various scenarios, including the cost of adding electric vehicles to the grid a...
Conservationists argue that managing biodiversity as a global public good is key to its preservation. The paper emphasizes the need for policymakers, businesses, and civil society to incorporate biodiversity into their decisions.
Economists Santanu Roy and Lars J. Olson analyze the balance between controlling invasive species and free trade, finding that some restrictions may be necessary to prevent economic damage while allowing for entry when damages are low. Their study provides a qualitative framework for policymakers to determine optimal response strategies.
A new study published in the American Journal of Industrial Medicine reveals that there was no significant difference in injury prevalence between ethnic minority and majority groups of Chinese farmers. The US-China Agricultural Injury Research Training Project successfully trained Chinese scholars, expanding collaborative research act...
A new LSU study reveals that increased Latino employment in low-skill jobs has displaced blacks from labor markets, leading to higher murder rates in urban black communities. The research attributes this trend to US immigration policies over several decades.
A San Francisco State University study found that eliminating sugary beverages and junk foods from schools significantly reduced the rate of overweight children among fifth-grade boys and seventh-grade students. The study showed that governmental policies can shape food behaviors and influence obesity trends in entire student populations.
The 2008 Organic Production Survey found that US organic farms had higher average sales ($217,675) and production expenses ($171,978) compared to conventional farms. California dominated the market with $1.15 billion in sales, accounting for 36% of nationwide sales.
A study published in The Lancet suggests that policies to reduce greenhouse-gas emissions can have additional positive effects on population health, beyond those related to climate change mitigation. These 'co-benefits' can provide a rationale for pursuing mitigation strategies and may also lead to cost savings for countries.
The K-State team is developing tools that can predict the consequences of water policy decisions on communities. The interdisciplinary study examines how changes in policy and water use practices affect everything from land use practices to population shifts.
A UCLA economist concludes that President Herbert Hoover's pro-labor policies pushed the nation's GDP down by close to two-thirds over two years following the stock market crash of 1929. The findings suggest that the recession would have been significantly worse without these policies.
A new study published in PLoS Biology found that most fisheries management regimes are lagging behind international standards, highlighting the need for transparent policy-making processes. The research assessed global fisheries management practices and evaluated their effectiveness in ensuring sustainability.
The University of California, Berkeley researchers argue that California can learn from Australia's 'Prepare, stay and defend' strategy, which trains residents to actively defend their homes against wildfires. The policy has been shown to reduce risk and increase survival rates in Australia.
Global minimum standards for intellectual property protection under TRIPS lead to unequal pharmaceutical trade between rich and poor countries. Developing countries are not utilizing flexibilities to overcome patent barriers, leaving them vulnerable to pressure from powerful nations.
Green areas in Randstad region may disappear due to lack of targeted agricultural policy, according to Dutch researcher Evelien van Rij. A distinction must be made between traditional Dutch landscapes used for recreation and other agricultural areas to guarantee their continued existence.
The center is researching ways to reduce carbon emissions from biofuels, develop economic models for industry costs, and assess the impact of land-use changes on greenhouse gas emissions. The center aims to support interdisciplinary research and provide policy-relevant insights for the biobased industry.
Researchers will analyze staple food and horticultural markets, focusing on maize, cassava, sorghum, cotton, and vegetables. The goal is to increase agricultural productivity and create efficient, sustainable markets for small farmers.
UK scientists identify 25 new biodiversity threats and opportunities until 2050, prioritizing research to mitigate surprise issues like GM crops. Horizon scanning aims to inform policy decisions, cutting the need for last-minute fixes on foreseeable problems.
A network of seismic instruments has been placed around Panama's Baru Volcano to help detect eruptions and mitigate danger. The Panamanian government funded the instrumentation, completed by the University of Panama's Department of Geosciences, in response to a joint study that revealed the volcano's potential for future eruptions.
The recent boom in ethanol production from corn grain has tightly linked the agriculture and energy sectors. The model predicts that government policies will play a critical role in determining the future of these two sectors.
Families in the US can eat healthily without breaking the bank, with USDA estimates suggesting they could spend less than $189/week on food. The Low-Cost Food Plan provides guidance on affordable meal options rich in fruits, vegetables and milk products.
A recent paper suggests that reducing carbon emissions from deforestation and degradation (REDD) could be key to addressing climate change. By including REDD in the Kyoto Protocol, developing countries can claim compensation for sustainable forest management, potentially earning $630 million annually.
A recent study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition suggests that limiting refined carbohydrates can slow the progression of age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Participants who consumed more refined carbohydrates were 17% more likely to develop blinding AMD than those who consumed less.
A recent study documents significant increases in El Salvador's wooded areas since the 1990s, driven by population movements and remittances. The research found that households receiving foreign funds felt less need to maintain existing fields, resulting in reduced land clearing and forest regrowth.
The European Union's changed policy will negatively affect dairy farmers' income, especially small farms, leading to a decrease in the number of farms. This will result in the disappearance of many small farms, allowing remaining farms to expand and increase production.
The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation has awarded $15 million to the Earth Institute at Columbia University to advance scientific research and efforts to end poverty, disease, and hunger in Africa. The grant supports a dynamic strategy for achieving sustainable development in some of the world's poorest countries.
Researchers created a 'Poverty Atlas' using geographic information system applications to visualize poverty-related indicators. The maps provide a visual context for understanding the connection between poverty and geography, including factors like climate, soil fertility, and access to transportation networks.
Researchers at Tufts University's Feinstein International Center aim to improve animal health, trade, and human livelihoods in Africa. They propose independent certification bodies to ensure safe export trade and fair standards for livestock commodities.
Strong evidence shows that higher taxes and restrictions on alcohol availability can reduce Europe's growing burden of alcohol-related harm. However, EU governments are prioritizing vested interests in free trade over public health.
A recent study published in Social Science Quarterly reveals a link between Wal-Mart's expansion and increased poverty rates in local communities. The authors found that the arrival of large retail chains like Wal-Mart leads to the displacement of small businesses, resulting in reduced local leadership capacity.
Adaptive environmental management aims to integrate local community involvement in policy-making and assessment, a concept popular in Europe but only recently tested in the US. The Valles Caldera National Preserve in New Mexico serves as a case study, examining strategies that have improved local acceptability and ecosystem health.