The northwards spread of human Rhodesian sleeping sickness in Uganda is likely due to the movement of infected livestock, according to new findings from an interdisciplinary research group including members from the Centre for Infectious Diseases, University of Edinburgh; the Ministry of Health, Uganda; and the Universities of Oxford and Southampton. The current study, published … Continue reading
Category Archives: Livestock
Clearing the air: Livestock’s contribution to climate change
Despite oft-repeated claims by sources ranging from the United Nations to music star Paul McCartney, it is simply not true that consuming less meat and dairy products will help stop climate change, says a University of California authority on farming and greenhouse gases. “We certainly can reduce our greenhouse-gas production, but not by consuming less … Continue reading
Africa / Capacity Strengthening / CapDev / Central Africa / East Africa / ILRI / Livestock
Status of postgraduate training in the livestock sector in East and Central Africa and priorities for ILRI’s support
This Status Report by Lusato Kurwijila on Status of postgraduate training in the livestock sector in East and Central Africa and priorities for ILRI’s support was released on 17 December, 2009. ILRI recognizes that the long-term solution to address the continuous and dynamic nature of capacity strengthening needs is to develop sustainable capacity within the … Continue reading
Reducing livestock’s emissions shadow
Federated Farmers has enthusiastically welcomed news that the Global Research Alliance on agricultural greenhouse gases is starting to get the financial means to take flight, with over $200 million pledged from New Zealand, the United States and Canada. “We’re ecstatic to see the United States contributing $125 million worth of research over four years, while … Continue reading
Copenhagen, carbon and cows
With agreement at the Climate Change Summit in Copenhagen for agriculture to be included in emission reduction targets thought to be imminent, carbon stewardship could be the new currency for sustainable agriculture. After 60 years in the wilderness, organic farmers feel their hour has finally come. Soil Association Director Patrick Holden said: “Paying farmers to … Continue reading
Africa / Cattle / Climate Change / East Africa / Kenya / Livestock
Activists have a beef with livestock-keeping and meat intake culture
It is not the best time for livestock breeders to be in Copenhagen, especially those whose livelihoods and culture are intertwined with the precious creatures that provide meat in diet. Negotiators and activists here say the world has to cut its meat consumption and activities around raising chicken, pigs, and cattle, saying they are major … Continue reading
Agriculture / Ethiopia / Livestock / Trade
Meeting over low meat export draws blood
A meeting between Abera Deressa(PhD), state minister for Agriculture and Rural Development (MoARD), and meat exporters ended in disagreement over low meat export. The meat exporters could go back to the Prime Minister’s Office who prompted the meeting by expressing his dissatisfaction over poor export performance at the monthly meeting of the National Export Coordination … Continue reading
Africa / Agriculture / Ethiopia / Food Security / Livestock
Commercialisation of livestock agriculture in Africa: Challenges and opportunities
For too long, the potential of the livestock sector in Africa has not received the attention it deserves. Policies and other institutions promoting livestock development have been weak or absent in most African countries. Commercialization has not been a focus and livestock production remained predominantly subsistence-oriented. Commercially oriented animal production systems are more likely to … Continue reading
Livestock, food and climate change
Carlos Seré The 800 million livestock keepers of the developing world are among those communities at greatest risk of climate change. They need technological and policy support to produce the greater amounts of milk, meat and eggs needed to feed the world – and to do so more efficiently with less environmental cost. Read more… … Continue reading
Eat less meat and dairy: Official recipe to help health of consumers – and the planet
he first official recommendations for a diet that is both healthy and good for the environment are published today, and they are likely to be seen as an assault on the UK’s current food system. To fight climate change and tackle the growing crisis of diet-related diseases such as diabetes, heart disease and cancer, British … Continue reading
ILRI Clippings 