ISOFAR Newsletter

The Newsletters of ISOFAR are published twice per year

ISOFAR-Newsletter No. 2, May 2004

The second newsletter of the International Society of Organic Agriculture Researhch ISOFAR contains the following information: Announcement of 1st call for papers International Scientific Conference on Organic Agriculture ISOFAR’s worldwide activities How to become an ISOFAR member ISOFAR’s structure: Sections and working groups News from the Working Groups Organic Research News from around the World Events Positions Books and Resources Contact address International Society of Organic Agriculture Research (ISOFAR) c/o Institute for Organic Agriculture IOL Prof. Dr. Ulrich Köpke (President) Ms. Anke Dunsche (Secretary) Katzenburgweg 3 D-53115 Bonn Tel. +49 228 735616 Fax +49 228 735617 E-Mail [email protected] Homepage http://www.isofar.or

An HSI Report: The Impact of Industrial Farm Animal Production on Food Security in the Developing World

Food security is often incorrectly used as a justification for the inhumane confinement of animals on industrial farm animal production facilities, while in reality, the industrialization of animal agriculture jeopardizes food security by degrading the environment, threatening human health, and diminishing income-earning opportunities in rural areas. Support from governments and international agencies for more humane and sustainable agricultural systems can ensure adequate food consumption and nutrition throughout the developing world

An HSI Report: Human Health Implications of Intensive Poultry Production and Avian Influenza

The high stocking density, stress, unhygienic conditions, lack of sunlight, and breeding practices typical of industrial poultry and egg production systems may facilitate the emergence and spread of diseases, including highly pathogenic avian influenza viruses with public health implications such as H5N1

An HSI Report: Industrial Farm Animal Production and Livestock Associated MRSA (Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus)

Staphylococcus aureus is a leading cause of bacterial infection and is increasingly found to be resistant to antibiotic therapy. A newly described type of Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus carried by farm animals, Livestock Associated MRSA (LA-MRSA), is now causing infections in humans with and without direct livestock contact. A reduction in the non-therapeutic use of antibiotics in feed would likely reduce the capacity of industrial animal agriculture to continue to create, disseminate, and perpetuate a large reservoir of LA-MRSA on a global scale, but more fundamental changes in the way animals are raised for food may be necessary forestall a post-antibiotic age

An HSI Report: Adopting a Cage-Free Production Policy for Animal Products in Brazil

Farm animal welfare is becoming an important concern for governments, producers, and consumers worldwide. In particular, intensive confinement systems, such as battery cages and gestation crates, have been acknowledged as severely impairing to the physical comfort and expression of natural behaviors of animals. The European Union and select states in the United States have already passed bills eliminating these housing systems over the next several years. Numerous international retail and food production companies, including Burger King (North America), Smithfield Foods, and McDonald’s (Europe) are committed to gradually eliminating the use and sale of eggs and pork produced via intensive confinement systems. This trend has also influenced Brazil, where surveys already indicate that 88% of consumers believe that the treatment of farm animals needs to be improved. As a result, cage-free housing technology for commercial operations of egg-laying hens and breeding sows is proving to be a business opportunity of great potential in Brazil. Although producers may encounter obstacles when adopting the new system, most of the difficulties may be solved with certain adaptations to facilities, animal breeds, and management practices. In this article, we show that it is possible to neutralize these obstacles in a way that ensures low mortality rates, a commercial production scale, a high level of food safety, and affordable costs. Producers are thus able to adequately care for the animals, meeting consumers‘ expectations, remain competitive, and even conquer new markets

An HSI Fact Sheet: The Impact of Animal Agriculture on the Environment and Climate Change in India: A Focus on Methane

Animal agriculture inefficiently consumes natural resources, contributes to deforestation, and produces immense quantities of animal waste, threatening water and air quality and contributing to climate change. The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations estimated in 2006 that animal agriculture was responsible for 18% of global, anthropogenic, or human-induced, greenhouse gas emissions and was ―by far the single largest anthropogenic user of land. Climate change poses significant challenges to India‘s agricultural sector, which is already facing increased competition for land and water

An HSI Report: The Public Health Implications of Intensive Farm Animal Production in South Asia

Intensive farm animal production (IFAP) is being increasingly implemented to meet the rising demand for animal source foods in South Asia. The siting of IFAP facilities in urban or peri-urban areas leads to large proximate animal populations, increasing human exposure to pollutants and pathogens. Improperly managed wastes from IFAP facilities and abattoirs can contaminate water with excess nutrients, pathogens, veterinary pharmaceuticals, antibiotics, heavy metals, and hormones, and can release ammonia, hydrogen sulfide, volatile organic compounds, bioaerosols, and particulate matter into the air compartment. The unregulated nature of IFAP in South Asia creates a risk for zoonotic transmission, including anthrax, brucellosis, Campylobacter, Cryptosporidium, cysticercosis, E. coli, Giardia, Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza, leptospirosis, Salmonella and Nipah Virus. Recommendations to mediate adverse human health consequences include improved veterinary care, prohibition of confinement facilities that facilitate pathogen transmission and evolution, prohibition of nontherapeutic use of antibiotics, implementation of proper management of animal wastes, zoning for IFAP and abattoir facilities, and surveillance of slaughtering facilities to limit carcass contamination and reduce the burden of foodborne disease in South Asia