John Lamb’s Post

The U.K. poised to lead the alt protein market? Despite regulatory push-back in Italy and France, the U.K. government has approved cultivated chicken cells for sale in pet food. Meatly will be the first company to take this technology to market here. Interestingly, the article states "a study by the University of Winchester found that 50 per cent of surveyed pet owners would feed their pets cultivated meat and 32 per cent would eat it themselves." Would you feed this to your dog? Would you eat it yourself? My view is this sets a precedent for future approvals and shifts us closer to these technologies being accessible as a tool for more sustainable food systems. Next up, approval for human consumption?

For many, organic food simply offers a way to enjoy a healthier, more sustainable lifestyle, avoiding pesticides and guaranteeing the best animal welfare and quality of food, however the power of organic food and farming extends way beyond this. Read our latest article on how organic farming may be key to solving some of the most pressing issues we face as a planet today 🌎 https://lnkd.in/ehGniE9X #organicfood #organicfarming #eversfieldorganic

The FDA is making significant strides in supporting sustainable animal agriculture with a recent policy shift that accelerates the approval process for feed additives. 🌱 This change, highlighted by the UC Davis CLEAR Center, alongside the pending IFEED Act, marks a pivotal moment for the industry. 🚀 The new regulations will fast-track innovations designed to improve livestock health, reduce methane emissions, and bolster food safety. 🐄🌍 At Metha AI, we're at the forefront of optimizing the use of feed additives that minimize methane production in livestock, a critical step towards our climate goals. 🔬 The FDA's move to classify these additives under a new category promises to streamline their journey to market, aligning perfectly with our mission to offer sustainable agricultural solutions. 🌿 This development is a win for the environment, farmers, and consumers, emphasizing the role of science and policy in shaping a more sustainable future. 🌎 Stay updated with us as we continue to embrace and contribute to these advancements. For more insights: https://lnkd.in/gwFakDBE #SustainableFarming #Innovation #ClimateAction

Bene Meat Technologies, a Czech startup, has achieved a significant milestone in the European Union by receiving the first-ever EU certification to produce and sell cultivated meat for pet food. This development marks a revolutionary step in the European food landscape, extending beyond pet food. It's the first instance of regulatory approval for cultivated meat in Europe, setting a precedent for future approvals in human food sectors. As we witness this shift, it raises a crucial question: Are we, as consumers, ready to adapt our food behaviors to embrace such innovative food sources? Keep in mind it's not only a technological advancement but also a behavioral shift towards more sustainable consumption patterns. => https://lnkd.in/eJWAUHAG #cultivatedmeat #petfood #innovativefood #alternativeprotein

The Danish government has published the first-ever national Action Plan outlining how the country can transition toward a more plant-based food system. In this podcast, Rune-Christoffer Dragsdahl, the secretary general, the Dansk Vegetarisk Forening (DVF) - Vegetarian Society of Denmark, and Emil Andersen, co-founder and CCO of Denmark-based plant-based company PerfectSeason & Planteslagterne , discuss the plan.     No other country in the world “comes close” to offering a similar plant-based “Action Plan”, according to experts.   Last month, the Danish government became the first country in the world to publish a roadmap to make its food system more plant-based.   The 40-page plan outlines the Danish government's pledge to reduce greenhouse gas by boosting plant-based food production.   It is hoped the plan, released by the Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Fisheries in Denmark, will inspire other countries to follow suit.   Dragsdahl says the Action Plan, which is part of a broader plan to advance plant-based foods in Denmark, is not a “divisive topic”, unlike in other countries.   He says in Denmark the move has brought together stakeholders agreeing that the food system should move in a more plant-based direction.   As an example, he says that while the Danish livestock industry doesn’t want to cut animal production, he says “many of them can see it’s very difficult to reach climate targets”, so they embracing plans to grow the plant-based sector.   However, he points out that one criticism of the Action Plan is its lack of tangible targets.   Andersen admits the Danish public is detached from the Action Plan but says it is aimed at the food industry which he says has given it a “lot of support”. Watch the interview on YouTube or listen on Spotify, links o´for both underneath the article: https://lnkd.in/gi92bR5m

Alternative proteins could transform the future of the food industry, delivering far superior animal welfare and far greater production efficiency than traditional farming. Bizarrely some European countries and now several US states are moving to ban the use of cultivated meats and restrict marketing of plant-based foods. At least in Florida, they are transparently saying it's due to the threat to the cattle industry. Banning cultivated meat because it threatens the cattle industry is so idiotic it beggars’ belief. Will they next ban wind and solar because they threaten the oil industry? The alternative protein industry, while it has products in the market already, is still in infancy. But it has already been proven safe to consume while having significantly lower environmental impacts. With future breakthroughs and scaling it will only get even further ahead of traditional protein sources. I will give the meat industry credit for recognising the threat these new approaches pose. After all, if you have an emerging competitor which addresses all your weaknesses while still delivering all your benefits, you should be scared. But the extent to which they are going, with many regulators in the US and Europe having passed laws limiting how alternative milks or dairy replacements can be advertised, is a sign of extraordinary fear and weakness. In some instances, they are even banning the words ‘burger’ or ‘milk’ from being used by plant based products. Ironically, those policy makers supporting these bans on competition in the market claim to champion competitive free market regulations. So, while Governor DeSantis boasts of Florida’s number 1 ranking for entrepreneurship in the country, he acts to aggressively stifle entrepreneurship. Such a wide strategy to limit the industry and erect barriers wherever possible will undoubtedly fail. Where it will succeed is ensuring the meat industry stays deluded that they don’t need to change. In the end a better product will win, and the meat industry will be left behind having missed their chance to change.   #alternativeprotein #plantbased #foodinnovation https://lnkd.in/eUEWx5fh  

Well researched post about factory farming. Many people believe factory farming is not very prevalent. This post reveals what's going on that is worth people knowing about.

Have a read of The Murky Campaign to Discredit Lab-Grown Meat by WIRED's Matt Reynolds: https://lnkd.in/enC93t32 If you ever wanted to see the face of fake news, look no further for the Center for Environment and Welfare (CEW), who, in addition to an important-sounding name, manufactured exaggerated claims about cell-based meats (CBM). While regulatory bodies across the globe, including those in the US, Singapore, and Australia, have thoroughly assessed CBM and found it perfectly safe for consumption, CEW compares CBM cells to tumour cells aimed at mongering fear. The cells' ability to replicate indefinitely in a controlled environment is a technical feature, not a health threat. Their claims hold as much water as hot oil, but wait, what about the environmental argument? CEW's narrative around CBM's carbon footprint cherry-picked studies to paint an alarming picture, conveniently ignoring the bulk of research that showcases CBM's potential for drastically reducing environmental impacts compared to traditional livestock farming. The sustainability argument for CBM is robust! It undercuts fears with facts about resource efficiency and lower emissions. The approach taken by CEW seems mainly aimed at exploiting misunderstandings and unfounded fears, but why? Their selective use of information and scare tactics is more about preserving status quo interests than promoting an informed public debate. Again why? The underlying motives of CEW's campaign should be a red flag. Are there vested interests at play, more concerned with protecting hidebound, unethical, and inefficient agricultural practices? The push against CBM feels a lot like a distraction from consumer choice, given that CBM is about offering alternatives that align with modern values and environmental needs. #cultivatedmeat #misinformation #future

Antimicrobials - use in agriculture Antimicrobials play a critical role in treating diseases of food-producing animals (aquatic and terrestrial) and plants, helping to ensure food security. These medicines are used to treat animals that are already sick or to control the spread of a disease within a flock, herd or on a farm. They are also employed in aquaculture (e.g., fish farms) for similar purposes. In some cases, antimicrobial substances are used to treat microbial diseases of plants. Antimicrobials are also used to prophylactically to prevent diseases that are anticipated in populations of animals or plants. A common practice in the past was to add antimicrobials in low concentrations to animal feed to stimulate growth and production. This practice has been increasingly discouraged, but still occurs in some areas. The estimates of the total annual global use of antimicrobials in agriculture vary considerably. This is due to poor controls in many countries; only 89 countries have systems in place to collect data on the use of antimicrobials in animals. Very few countries record the use of antimicrobials in plant agriculture. With demand for animal-sourced food products projected to grow steadily over the coming decades, the demand for antimicrobial use in agriculture is also expected to rise, unless production practices are modified to reduce their need. AMR - risks to human and animal health and welfare, agriculture and food security The findings of the Global Research on Antimicrobial Resistance study show that drug-resistant bacterial infections contributed to almost five millions human deaths in 2019, making AMR a leading cause of death globally. If action is not taken, the rise of AMR cumulatively may result in over 3.4 trillion USD loss in the world’s annual gross domestic product (GDP) in ten short years. AMR in food and agriculture poses risks to food systems, livelihoods and economies. Beside their direct negative impact on animals, animal diseases can also affect significantly food production, food security and farmer livelihoods. AMR increases these risks. Beyond more direct implications for food production and food safety, AMR threatens the livelihoods of millions who raise animals for subsistence. It is estimated that in just ten years’ time, 24 million more people may be forced into extreme poverty as a result of AMR, many of whom are in low-income countries- increasing the number of people going hungry and suffering from malnutrition. This risk is particularly high in countries where legislation, regulatory surveillance and monitoring systems pertaining to the use of antimicrobials and the prevention of AMR are weak or inadequate.