The number of animal diseases affecting humans is set to escalate as the world undergoes a new epidemiological transition, say researchers this month in BioScience. Experts say that “dramatic” changes to the environment have sparked lasting alterations to human disease patterns. “We appear to be undergoing a distinct change in global disease ecology,” write Montira … Continue reading
Category Archives: Research
Australia–Cloned cattle the way of the future
If you thought the cattle business had reached its technical zenith with artificial insemination and embryo transfer systems, then hold on to your hats, because long term, it’s going to get a whole lot more technical in the name of improving genetics, efficiencies and profitability. Late last month, a gathering of beef producers and industry … Continue reading
Soggy pork … and other climate change choices
The world faces some interesting choices in the next few years. As illustrated by the ongoing Copenhagen negotiations, we have to decide whether and how to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in a wide range of sectors, from energy generation to transportation and beyond. The livestock industry faces particular uncertainty in this environment. According to various … Continue reading
Agriculture / CGIAR / Research
CGIAR unveils agricultural research ‘masterplan’
A “masterplan” for agricultural research and technology transfer was unveiled at the UN Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen today by the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR), the world’s largest alliance of agricultural scientists. The 45-page strategy calls for, on the one hand, action that harnesses multiple advances that the group says are waiting … Continue reading
New initiative to prevent ‘next global pandemic’: DFID targets hotspots for spread of animal-to-human diseases
On 11 December, the Department for International Development (DFID) brought together vets, virologists, academics and other experts in animal-to-human diseases in order to identify hotspots where the next global pandemic is most likely to come from and how best to prevent it emerging or spreading. Read more … (DFID) Continue reading
Africa / CGIAR / Climate Change / East Africa / Environment / Food Security / ILRI / Livestock / Research
Climate, food and developing country livestock farmers
Livestock researchers believe that rather than rid the world of livestock it’s preferable to find ways to farm animals more efficiently, profitably and sustainably, according to a new short film (see link below) prepared by the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) on livestock and climate change. Watch video. . . (Climate, Food and Developing Country … Continue reading
African Science, Technology and Innovation Endowment Fund to be launched
One of the main recommendations of the Science with Africa conference was to seek way of establishing a fund to promote science, technology and innovation. In order to meet this recommendation, the UNECA is launching the African Science, Technology and Innovation Endowment Fund (ASTIEF). The Fund is designed to stimulate research commercialization in public-private partnership … Continue reading
BMGF statement to the CGIAR business meeting
The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation views the CGIAR as a crucial partner in the fight against hunger and poverty, particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia. The CGIAR’s proven track record in enhancing smallholder productivity growth has inspired the Foundation’s strategy for investing in smallholder agriculture as an engine of overall economic growth and … Continue reading
Agriculture and Rural Development Day 2009 on 12 December
With a focus on “The road after Copenhagen: priority strategies and actions for ensuring food security and rural development in the face of climate change”, the event will bring together policy makers and negotiators, rural development practitioners, producers, civil society and the agricultural and climate change scientific community to highlight the importance of agriculture in … Continue reading
Don’t blame cows for 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. UC Davis Associate Professor and Air Quality Specialist Frank Mitloehner says that … Continue reading
ILRI Clippings 