Environmental impact assessment of dietary scenarios: a comparison of methodological aspects

Background Dietary patterns have manifold impacts on the environment. • However, studies that assess dietary patterns operate with varying methodological approaches and underlying assumptions, which evoke different, and occasionally even contradicting, results. • This leads to uncertainty regarding what should or should not be eaten, especially with regard to animal-source food (ASF) and production types (e.g. conventional or organic). • Therefore, to adequately interpret results, it is necessary to interpret these in the context of the respective methods used and assumptions made

Environmental assessment tools for the evaluation and improvement of European livestock production systems

Different types of assessment tools have been developed in Europe with the purpose of determining the environmental impact of various livestock production systems at farm level. The assessment tools differ in terms of which environmental objectives are included and how indicators are constructed and interpreted. The paper compares typical tools for environmental assessment of livestock production systems, and recommends selected indicators suitable for benchmarking. The assessment tools used very different types of indicators ranging from descriptions of farm management and quantification of input to estimates of emissions of, e.g., nitrate and ammonia. The indicators should be useful in a benchmarking process where farmers may improve their practices through learning from farms with better agri-environmental performance. An example of this is given using data on P-surplus on pig farms. Some indicators used the area of the farm as the basis of the indicator — e.g. nitrogen surplus per hectare — while others were expressed per unit produced, e.g. emission of greenhouse gasses per kilogram milk. The paper demonstrates that a comparison of organic vs. conventional milk production and comparison of three pig production systems give different results, depending on the basis of the indicators (i.e. per hectare or per kilogram product). Indicators linked to environmental objectives with a local or regional geographical target should be area-based — while indicators with a global focus should be product-based. It is argued that the choice of indicators should be linked with the definition of the system boundaries, in the sense that area-based indicators should include emissions on the farm only, whereas product-based indicators should preferably include emissions from production of farm inputs, as well as the inputs on the actual farm. The paper ends with recommendations for choice of agri-environmental indicators taking into account the geographical scale, system boundary and method of interpretation

An LP-Model to Analyse Economic and Ecological Sustainability in Dutch Dairy Farming

Since the enactment of the Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2001, owners and operators of farms and ranches have opportunities to evaluate new estate planning strategies for the transfer of farm businesses to subsequent generations. However, with provisions of the Act to be phased in over several years, consideration must be given to having a "staged" estate plan. Under provisions of the current law, estate tax is repealed in the year 2010, but if Congress does not act, the legislation sunsets and returns to prior law January 1, 2011. This fact provides planning challenges for owners and operators of farms and ranches as the phase-in of provisions, the repeal in 2010, and the return to prior law relative to estate planning and business inter-generational transfer of property. This paper investigates the planning process and options available as they relate to a family-owned property in North Carolina, USA. Plans made must take into consideration the dynamics of a changing legislative environment, special-use valuation of land, opportunity cost of alternative uses for land, and off-farm heirs.Environmental Economics and Policy, Livestock Production/Industries,

Просвещение как форма популяризации культурно- художественных достижений этнических меньшинств Украины: тенденции 1990-2000-х годов

У статті розглянуто місце і роль просвітництва у популяризації культурно- мистецьких надбань етноменшин. На основі специфічного методологічного інструментарію проаналізовано відповідність популяризації культурно-мистецьких надбань – стратегічними цілями – визнання поліетнічного характеру українського суспільства, розбудові соціокультурного середовища і духовному розвитку етносів. Підкреслено, що в Україні діяла розгалужена мережа музеїв, де діяли спеціальні підрозділи – відділи, центри, експозиції тощо. Проаналізовані напрямки науково – дослідної роботи музеїв та виокремлена її просвітницької складової.В статье рассмотрены место и роль просвещения в популяризации культурно - художественных достижений этнических меньшинств. На основе специфического методологического инструментария проанализированы соответствие популяризации культурно - художественных достижений - стратегическими целями - признание полеэтнического характера украинского общества, развитии социокультурной среды и духовном развитии этносов. Подчеркнуто, что в Украине действовала разветвленная сеть музеев, в которых действовали специальные подразделения - отделы, центры, экспозиции и т.д. Проанализованы направления научно - исследовательской работы музеев с выделением ее просветительской составляющей.On the basis of archival, statistical materials, analytical inputs predecessors considered the place and role of education in promoting cultural - artistic achievements of ethnic minorities. Nonfiction includes the problems of cultural heritage of the Ukrainian people is partly considered problem areas, shapes, nature education. Importance designated problem is primarily due to the need to have a clear understanding of the mechanism solutions independent state problems of interethnic relations. Found that in Ukraine there and operated an extensive network of structures that were engaged in the popularization of cultural - artistic achievements of Ukraine’s ethnic groups: governments, national - cultural societies, cultural institutions. We considered the prospect of continuity and the protection and conservation of heritage. Considerable attention is given to finding areas of education: conducting scientific - practical conferences, advocacy through the museums, the publication of the relevant literature. First in the historiography on the basis of specific methodological tools to analyze the relevant promotion of cultural - artistic achievements - the strategic objectives - recognition of the field of an ethnic nature of Ukrainian society, the development of social and cultural environment and spiritual development of ethnic groups. Particular attention is given to explaining participation in the process of popularizing the achievements of local history museums in Ukraine. Stress that Ukraine had an extensive network of museums that had special units - departments, centers, exposure, etc.. Directions of scientific - research museums and highlighted its educational component. Significant place in the article devoted to subjects found clarification of the regional museum

The Need and Potential of Biosensors to Detect Dioxins and Dioxin-Like Polychlorinated Biphenyls along the Milk, Eggs and Meat Food Chain

Dioxins and dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls (DL-PCBs) are hazardous toxic, ubiquitous and persistent chemical compounds, which can enter the food chain and accumulate up to higher trophic levels. Their determination requires sophisticated methods, expensive facilities and instruments, well-trained personnel and expensive chemical reagents. Ideally, real-time monitoring using rapid detection methods should be applied to detect possible contamination along the food chain in order to prevent human exposure. Sensor technology may be promising in this respect. This review gives the state of the art for detecting possible contamination with dioxins and DL-PCBs along the food chain of animal-source foods. The main detection methods applied (i.e., high resolution gas-chromatography combined with high resolution mass-spectrometry (HRGC/HRMS) and the chemical activated luciferase gene expression method (CALUX bioassay)), each have their limitations. Biosensors for detecting dioxins and related compounds, although still under development, show potential to overcome these limitations. Immunosensors and biomimetic-based biosensors potentially offer increased selectivity and sensitivity for dioxin and DL-PCB detection, while whole cell-based biosensors present interpretable biological results. The main shortcoming of current biosensors, however, is their detection level: this may be insufficient as limits for dioxins and DL-PCBs for food and feedstuffs are in pg per gram level. In addition, these contaminants are normally present in fat, a difficult matrix for biosensor detection. Therefore, simple and efficient extraction and clean-up procedures are required which may enable biosensors to detect dioxins and DL-PCBs contamination along the food chain

Strategies towards a more sustainable Swiss food system

What did your last meal consist of? Was it environmentally-friendly? Healthy? Expensive

Environmental, social, and economic consequences of six food system strategies for Switzerland

Consumption- as well as production-side changes are needed to improve the sustainability performance of food systems. We assessed multiple impacts of six food system strategies for Switzerland. Two strategies encompassed dietary changes: following a pescetarian diet and adhering to the national dietary guidelines. Two strategies employed alternative farming systems: increasing the share of organic production and, in addition, applying the circularity principle of avoiding feed-food competition by excluding livestock feed grown on arable land. A fifth strategy reduced food waste. The sixth strategy increased the share of domestic produce. For all strategies, we assessed greenhouse gas emissions, land use, nitrogen surplus, social risks, diet quality, and diet costs. The strategies revealed trade-offs between impact categories, unless combined in a synergistic way. Combining all proposed strategies could lead to substantial improvements in all impact categories assessed, but would require a thorough transformation of the current food system

Energy demand on dairy farms in Ireland

peer-reviewedReducing electricity consumption in Irish milk production is a topical issue for 2 reasons. First, the introduction of a dynamic electricity pricing system, with peak and off-peak prices, will be a reality for 80% of electricity consumers by 2020. The proposed pricing schedule intends to discourage energy consumption during peak periods (i.e., when electricity demand on the national grid is high) and to incentivize energy consumption during off-peak periods. If farmers, for example, carry out their evening milking during the peak period, energy costs may increase, which would affect farm profitability. Second, electricity consumption is identified in contributing to about 25% of energy use along the life cycle of pasture-based milk. The objectives of this study, therefore, were to document electricity use per kilogram of milk sold and to identify strategies that reduce its overall use while maximizing its use in off-peak periods (currently from 0000 to 0900h). We assessed, therefore, average daily and seasonal trends in electricity consumption on 22 Irish dairy farms, through detailed auditing of electricity-consuming processes. To determine the potential of identified strategies to save energy, we also assessed total energy use of Irish milk, which is the sum of the direct (i.e., energy use on farm) and indirect energy use (i.e., energy needed to produce farm inputs). On average, a total of 31.73 MJ was required to produce 1kg of milk solids, of which 20% was direct and 80% was indirect energy use. Electricity accounted for 60% of the direct energy use, and mainly resulted from milk cooling (31%), water heating (23%), and milking (20%). Analysis of trends in electricity consumption revealed that 62% of daily electricity was used at peak periods. Electricity use on Irish dairy farms, therefore, is substantial and centered around milk harvesting. To improve the competitiveness of milk production in a dynamic electricity pricing environment, therefore, management changes and technologies are required that decouple energy use during milking processes from peak periods

Unravelling variation in feeding, social interaction and growth patterns among pigs using an agent-based model

Domesticated pigs, Sus scrofa, vary considerably in feeding, social interaction and growth patterns. This variation originates partly from genetic variation that affects physiological factors and partly from behavioural strategies (avoid or approach) in competitive food resource situations. Currently, it is unknown how variation in physiological factors and in behavioural strategies among animals contributes to variation in feeding, social interaction and growth patterns in animals. The aim of this study was to unravel causation of variation in these patterns among pigs. We used an agent-based model to explore the effects of physiological factors and behavioural strategies in pigs on variation in feeding, social interaction and growth patterns. Model results show that variation in feeding, social interaction and growth patterns are caused partly by chance, such as time effects and coincidence of conflicts. Furthermore, results show that seemingly contradictory empirical findings in literature can be explained by variation in pig characteristics (i.e. growth potential, positive feedback, dominance, and coping style). Growth potential mainly affected feeding and growth patterns, whereas positive feedback, dominance and coping style affected feeding patterns, social interaction patterns, as well as growth patterns. Variation in behavioural strategies among pigs can reduce aggression at group level, but also make some pigs more susceptible to social constraints inhibiting them from feeding when they want to, especially low-ranking pigs and pigs with a passive coping style. Variation in feeding patterns, such as feeding rate or meal frequency, can indicate social constraints. Feeding patterns, however, can say something different about social constraints at group versus individual level. A combination of feeding patterns, such as a decreased feed intake, an increased feeding rate, and an increased meal frequency might, therefore, be needed to measure social constraints at individual level