Tag: environment

Animal feed: FAO for a more sustainable future – Italian cuisine reinvented by Gordon Ramsay

How important are animal feed for our diet? Last December 1st and 2nd, theFood and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) was the stage for a crucial event: the Global Forum dedicated to animal feed and industry regulators. The Forum attracted international experts, government officials, researchers and industry leaders from different parts of the world, all united by a common goal: to transform the livestock sector to make it more efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable.

The animal feed industry, with a massive annual turnover of over $400 billion and a production of over one billion tons of livestock feed, was at the center of discussions. This sector plays a crucial role in animal health,human nutrition and environmental sustainability.

In his opening speech, FAO Director-General Qu Dongyu highlighted the need for transformation in the livestock sector to respond to global challenges. “Feeding animals well means feeding the world better,” he said, underlining the importance of feed in the global food chain.

A critical aspect that emerged during the Forum was the importance of ensuring the availability, accessibility, quality and safety of feed. Qu Dongyu stressed that this will require concrete actions, from management of prairies and pastures to the production and processing of compound feed. Appropriate policies and regulations will be essential to achieve these goals.

The Forum provided an inclusive platform for national and regional authorities, FAO members, the private sector, researchers, development agencies and civil society. Some case studies provided opportunities to explore cutting-edge innovations and strategies to improve the production of high-quality, safe and environmentally friendly feed.

The growing demand for animal proteins, driven by population growth and urbanisation, was at the center of the discussions. Experts highlighted the need to address environmental, socio-economic and safety issues related to feed production, with particular attention to reducing antimicrobial resistance (AMR) through correct animal nutrition.

Leaders from trade groups such as the International Feed Industry Federation (IFIF) and experts from various countries brought diverse perspectives, addressing issues ranging from legislation on feed availability to the development of quality and sustainability standards.

The director general emphasized the need for accessible solutions also for small and medium-sized farmers, who represent the majority of livestock producers in the world. Improving access to knowledge, technology and markets is crucial to contributing to poverty reduction and rural development.

FAO experts provided insights into the organisation’s initiatives, including the Sustainable Livestock Transformation Initiative, highlighting the importance of animal nutrition, feed safety and alternative feeding practices.

In conclusion, the FAO Global Forum was a catalyst for taking action. With 60-80% of livestock production costs attributable to feed, improved nutrition and efficient use of local resources are keys to increasing profitability. The feed industry could play a key role in the bioeconomy, using by-products and residues to optimize land use and make agri-food systems more sustainable.

FAO: what are the global food prospects – Italian cuisine reinvented by Gordon Ramsay

A new report fromFood and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) reveals that the production outlook for most basic food products is favorable, but extreme climate events, Growing geopolitical tensions and sudden political changes represent a risk to global food production systems and could potentially alter the delicate balance of supply and demand and dampen the outlook for global food trade and security.

According to the report, global maize production will see a notable increase thanks to increased plantations in Brazil and the United States of America, however, a decrease in the trade volume of coarse grains and rice is expected in 2023/24. Furthermore, global trade in vegetable oils and fats will experience a modest decline, while global production and consumption is expected to expand.

The report highlights that, several sectors including sugar, dairy, meat and fish, will see a decrease in trading volume in the coming year. This situation could affect the delicate balance between supply and demand, putting global food security at risk.

The count of food imports in the world

The Food Outlook also presents updated estimates on global spending on food imports in 2023projecting a increase of 1.8% compared to 2022, reaching 2 trillion dollars. The majority of this increase is driven by high- and upper-middle-income countries, with fruit and vegetables, beverages and sugar accounting for the predominant share. In reverse, a contraction of 11% is expected in aggregate spending on food imports in low-income countries, suggesting challenges such as depreciating currencies, rising debt and high transportation costs.

The report highlights that changes in international food prices significantly influence these developments. While the prices of fruit, vegetables and sugars are increasing, those of animal and vegetable oils are decreasing. The volume effect on the global food import bill is expected to exceed the price effect, with some exceptions for high-value or processed products such as coffee, tea, cocoa and spices.

In the end, the report highlights the contraction of food imports in less developed countries, in developing countries that are net importers of food products and in sub-Saharan African countries. This suggests that factors such as weakening currencies, rising debt and high transportation costs are hampering their ability to access international food markets.

In summary, the FAO’s Food Outlook offers a detailed overview of the outlook for global food productionhighlighting the challenges and opportunities the sector will face in the coming years.

Source FAO

Eating green during the holidays is possible. Here’s how to do it – Italian cuisine reinvented by Gordon Ramsay

Eating green at Christmas? You can, or rather you must. This holiday represents the ideal time to shelter at home with family and friends, sharing special moments and, of course, delicious meals. But what exactly does “good food” mean today? In addition to organoleptic qualities, food must respect criteria that go beyond simple taste. As Carlo Petrini, founder of Slow Food, claims, food must be «good, clean and fair. Clean, i.e. produced according to environmentally friendly methods; fair, capable of guaranteeing respect for those who work there. Here are some rules to follow during Christmas holidays to adopt a greener approach to food.

10’000 Hours

Eating green: what food choices to make during the holidays

During the holidays it is time to favor high quality foods, possibly organic or from integrated agriculture with low environmental impact. Reduce your meat consumption and, when you choose it, opt for meat from controlled farms and organic. Prefer local, regional or national products to reduce the environmental impact of transport and, if possible, purchase them in bulk, to avoid unnecessary packaging. The choice of wine can also be oriented towards organic options. For those who want alternatives to meat, legumes are a valid option, providing high-quality proteins and ingredients for tasty recipes.

Avoid foods at excessively low prices, as they often hide hidden costs for the environment and workers. Avoid buying products from distant places and choose sustainable alternatives to endangered fish such as salmon. Opt for lesser-known, but equally tasty fish, a low environmental and seasonal impact, such as horse mackerel, zerro, tuna, tombarello, dolphin fish and red mullet. Also molluscs such as clams, mussels and oysters; and shellfish such as white shrimp (if coming from specific regions) and corn on the cob are conscious choices.

A sustainable celebration: don’t waste!

Reduce wasteespecially at the table, carefully preserving food and avoiding throwing away what remains. Avoid plastic films and prefer reusable containers with caps. When you go shopping, calculate the precise number of people and prefer bulk products to reduce packaging. When setting the table, avoid disposable plastic tableware and, if necessary, opt for compostable alternatives.

Too Good to Go together with Yougov have reported the data regarding the waste of Italians at the table during the holidays: the 40% of Italians waste over a quarter of Christmas food, with panettone leading the way, despite its high cost. However, they also emerge positive behaviors: