I am not in favor of this ruling.
http://www.npr.org/blogs/thesalt/2012/02/27/147506542/judge-dismisses-organic-farmers-case-against-monsanto
GMOs are going to be just another pollutant whirling around the planet.
Monday, February 27, 2012
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
Trans Atlantic Organic
The US and EU will soon allow each other's organic food products to cross the Atlantic. But, if I start seeing organic European potatoes in Maine, I'll be pissed.
Is this really necessary? I have said before that 3VotesADay is not anti-globalism, but I am skeptical that Europe really has things to offer that we can't source, in California or at least on our own continent. The article mentions European Chocolate. C'mon! There is no place in Europe where you can grow cocoa. So they take cocoa grown in Africa, ship it north, add milk, package it, then ship across the Atlantic. Farmers in Africa are not going to see any benefit.
The U.S. would do well to encourage cocoa production (and coffee) in Puerto Rico, where it's close by, and inherently fair trade. The multi-hemispheric supply lines make me nervous. We had a tough enough time tracking down bad cantaloupes just within the US last year.
While in the U.S. we can source our tropical luxury items from South America, Europe can source those same items from Africa. Think there might be any support for a contiguous continental diet?
(continental diet, not breakfast...images of bagels in a hotel lobby come to mind)
Is this really necessary? I have said before that 3VotesADay is not anti-globalism, but I am skeptical that Europe really has things to offer that we can't source, in California or at least on our own continent. The article mentions European Chocolate. C'mon! There is no place in Europe where you can grow cocoa. So they take cocoa grown in Africa, ship it north, add milk, package it, then ship across the Atlantic. Farmers in Africa are not going to see any benefit.
The U.S. would do well to encourage cocoa production (and coffee) in Puerto Rico, where it's close by, and inherently fair trade. The multi-hemispheric supply lines make me nervous. We had a tough enough time tracking down bad cantaloupes just within the US last year.
While in the U.S. we can source our tropical luxury items from South America, Europe can source those same items from Africa. Think there might be any support for a contiguous continental diet?
(continental diet, not breakfast...images of bagels in a hotel lobby come to mind)
Monday, February 13, 2012
Momentum
No more hog crates says McDonalds. They're inhumane.
Two thoughts:
- Good, but what are they replacing them with? And what's in it for Mickey Ds?
- If McDonalds is starting to care about animal welfare, the vote with your fork movement is gaining momentum nicely. Woo! Small victories.
I mean, WalMart carries organic labels, and McDonalds has humane animal treatment, overall that can be considered progress. But, beware of the lobbying clout these corporations will have on our officials!
I can hear it now...
These organic regulations are stifling growth, remove this rule here about prohibitions on growing this genetically modified organism...
Whups, that argument happened already...
So what will McDonalds be using to replace those inhumane crates? And how close to the letter of the law will they be?
Two thoughts:
- Good, but what are they replacing them with? And what's in it for Mickey Ds?
- If McDonalds is starting to care about animal welfare, the vote with your fork movement is gaining momentum nicely. Woo! Small victories.
I mean, WalMart carries organic labels, and McDonalds has humane animal treatment, overall that can be considered progress. But, beware of the lobbying clout these corporations will have on our officials!
I can hear it now...
These organic regulations are stifling growth, remove this rule here about prohibitions on growing this genetically modified organism...
Whups, that argument happened already...
So what will McDonalds be using to replace those inhumane crates? And how close to the letter of the law will they be?
Friday, February 10, 2012
Better Homes for Chickens
It's great to hear two rivals working together for greater good. These guys are improving conditions for layer hens. It is much better than two sides shouting at each other with nothing to show for it.
The result in this case are more spacious living quarters for hens, allowing them to be more like chickens, and less like egg machines. They can perch, open their wings, turn around, and have access to nesting boxes.
I am definitely happy about this advancement, but still skeptical of the overall system. As an owner of a small flock of layer hens, I ask myself if the conditions of the chickens would sell the eggs. Would they bring a customer into their henhouse and say "this is how our chicken are raised, will you buy our eggs?" Yes, its better than the old system, but is it really what we are striving for?
The result in this case are more spacious living quarters for hens, allowing them to be more like chickens, and less like egg machines. They can perch, open their wings, turn around, and have access to nesting boxes.
I am definitely happy about this advancement, but still skeptical of the overall system. As an owner of a small flock of layer hens, I ask myself if the conditions of the chickens would sell the eggs. Would they bring a customer into their henhouse and say "this is how our chicken are raised, will you buy our eggs?" Yes, its better than the old system, but is it really what we are striving for?
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