As Chairman of GFSF (globalfoodsafetyforum.org), I join our Beijing office in welcoming China’s State Council announcement of New Food Safety Guidelines. They target regulations, standards, tracing technologies, blockchain, and food safety insurance, a GFSF priority project.
Over 1 million swine have reportedly been culled in China due to ASF (African Swine Fever). Despite potential boon for US pork producers, American vets fear ASF spreading to the US. Just when food safety and supply chain concerns are mounting, global coordination is stymied.
Thanks to the US-Sino trade war, there will be more humanitarian food aid. But wait—will it all go to Yemeni and Venezuelan refugees or will it be one shot deliveries that raise dumping concerns in WTO and undermine global commitment to food security?
Horns of a dilemma #5: Worldwide demonstrations drawing attention to the need for bold action in confronting climate change but for farmers, the shepherds of a sustainable earth, weak support for mitigation and adaptation strategies.
How about crop insurers–public and private–discounting premiums for farmers observing good ag practices that result in the reduction of GHG emissions. Maybe this simple solution can work?
Remember TPP? We bowed out and here’s an example of what follows–Japan’s preferential tariffs for Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) and the Japan-European Union Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA).
Paris agreement carbon reduction targets fully met; global food safety compliance in effect———- April Fools!
Horns of a dilemma #3: Expectations of China’s imminent renewed heavy purchasing of US commodities vs Perdue U. Ag Economy Barometer shows US ag farmers’ declining optimism for US commodity prices and economy.
This week’s horns of a dilemma: new breakthroughs in ag technologies while US ag bankruptcies and debt loads climbing, export markets in jeopardy, and policy resistance to climate change risk mitigation and adaptation needs.