FOLIUM Science’s Post

📰 Ammonia emissions pose a significant risk to human and environmental health and have been hitting the headlines recently! Did you know that the UK government is committed to reduce ammonia levels by 16% (compared to 2005 levels) by 2030? 🐔 One of the main contributors is the poultry sector, where intensive production is devastating local environments, such as the Wye Valley. High levels of ammonia can also impact bird welfare and productivity. 🦠 The rate limiting step in ammonia production is catalyzed by microbial enzymes called ureases that are produced by the #microbiomes present in poultry houses. FOLIUM Science is repurposing its #GuidedBiotics #CRISPR technology to specifically modulate the microbiome to reduce ammonia emissions and to improve nitrogen utilization in the bird. This clearly shows the potential for our technology to tackle environmental problems such as #airpollution and #climatechange. 🌟 We're grateful to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs's support through Innovate UK that has permitted this important research and development. Edward Fuchs │ Enca Martin-Rendon, PhD, FRSB │ Martin Woodward https://lnkd.in/efbX8-DC

Methane reduction efforts within the UK dairy industry should be viewed alongside other important goals like ensuring food security, protecting biodiversity, managing persistent high food prices, and promoting sustainable agriculture, according to a report by the UK government: https://buff.ly/4gBquTP #ukfarming #foodsecurity #emissions #dairy #report

Meat grown in a lab could be 25 times more costly for the environment than beef, a study has found. Cultivated meat is grown using animal cells, eliminating the need for rearing and slaughtering animals. Its backers, including the Government, say it could also reduce the emissions from meat production, particularly methane from livestock, which accounts for around six per cent of global emissions. But a new study suggests that the process is so energy intensive that the global warming impact could be between four and 25 times higher than beef, typically the most polluting meat. The study, led by researchers at the University of California, looked at the production emissions of the substances used to grow the animal cells, which include vital nutrients, salt and sugars. The elements must also be purified to avoid contamination that would affect the ability of cells to grow, another energy-intensive process. The research from the University of California has not yet been peer-reviewed, but comes after other studies have suggested that the emissions from cultivated meat could be higher than those from traditional beef. The cultivated meat industry argues that it can eliminate many of the energy-intensive processes, which also make production economically unviable at scale. This includes using food-grade, rather than pharmaceutical-grade, purified inputs. #climatechange #emissions #food #meat #cultivation https://lnkd.in/gktYfu8r

As a IWG (Industry Working Group) member for the Climate Bonds Initiative’s Alternative Proteins Criteria, I am pleased to share that the Criteria are now open for public consultation. It has been a pleasure to work with this group working towards a set of Alternative protein criteria. Feedback from across the sector is critical to ensure these Criteria are comprehensive and effective. The consultation is open until 7th February 2025, and your input is highly valued. Learn more and participate here: https://lnkd.in/erAJtCYM." It would be great if members of my network could review and leave comments. #alternativeprotein #plantbased #vegan #sustainablenutrition

🇪🇺🌾 FARMER GROUPS ASK EU COMMISSION TO CREATE PLANT-BASED ACTION PLAN We’re eating too much meat, and we need to shift to plant-based proteins to save the future of food and farming in the face of climate disaster. That may sound like an impassioned call from a climate advocacy group, but this was actually a conclusion made with lobby groups that represent Europe’s farmers. In a joint report presented to EU Commission president Ursula von der Leyen, 29 organisations agreed on the findings after a fraught seven-month process, as part of the Strategic Dialogue on the Future of EU Agriculture. The shared vision stated that business as usual is not an option for EU farmers – they need bold, swift and timely policy intervention to progress towards more sustainable practices and tackle the climate emergency, biodiversity loss, soil degradation, inflation, and consumer health. The stakeholders – involving everyone from farm lobbies to green groups – had five broad recommendations to advance the EU’s food system: creating a more competitive future, advancing towards a sustainable agrifood sector, promoting climate resilience, building agricultural diversity, and broadening access to knowledge and innovation. As part of these, the Strategic Dialogue acknowledged that it was vital to support ongoing efforts to transition from animal proteins to plant-based options. “The sustainable choice needs to become the choice by default,” the report said, asking the EU Commission to develop an EU Action Plan for Plant-Based Foods by 2026 to “strengthen the plant-based agrifood chains from farmers all the way to consumers”. It also namechecked other alternative protein technologies like precision fermentation and products such as cultivated meat, as part of a range of “concrete technological innovations” that stakeholders debate over – whether to call for faster approval or raise questions about their potential safety risks. Read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/e68kazj4 #GreenQueen #sustainability #agriculture #farming #futurefood #altprotein #climatechange

Just like there’s no magic pill to cure all that ails you, there’s no magic spray to solve the deep-rooted problems in agriculture. Glyphosate has been sold as the "quick fix," a miracle cure for weeds in a system stretched to its limits. But this isn’t a red pill or blue pill dilemma—it’s not about choosing between two easy illusions. The truth is, there’s no placebo to mask the harm we’ve done to ecosystems overburdened by industrial farming practices they were never designed to bear. The promise of a single solution is tempting, but it’s a lie we can’t afford to swallow. Real change demands more than convenience—it requires rethinking how we work with nature, not against it. If we keep force-feeding the soil lies and delusions, we’ll find ourselves with barren fields, broken systems, and no way back. The answer isn’t in the spray—it’s in restoring balance, resilience, and sustainability to our lands. Rethinking Glyphosate, Soy Dependency, and the Future of Agriculture: A Call for Sustainable Change Introduction The glyphosate debate has reached a tipping point. As a critical tool in modern agriculture, this controversial herbicide is under fire for its environmental and health implications. Meanwhile, industries that rely heavily on glyphosate-tolerant crops, particularly soybeans, argue they cannot meet global food and feed demands without it. Yet, this dependency on soy protein comes with its own set of challenges—economic, environmental, and health-related. The current agricultural model is straining under its inefficiencies, leaving us with a broken system rife with food waste, ecological degradation, and unsustainable practices. But there are alternatives—natural, innovative, and regenerative solutions—that can reshape how we feed our world. #ag #agriculture #agtech #regenerativefarming #soy #soybeans #protein #foodsupply #environment #solutions

'Assessing safety of non-permitted waste streams for rearing insects for feed' Read the below article from All About Feed to find out how the mass rearing of insect larvae for protein in animal feeds is an emerging technology that many believe will be vital in replacing the “protein gap” with a sustainable source 👇 https://lnkd.in/dGgeKDHC #allaboutfeed #insectprotein

One third of GHG emissions are from #foodsystems. Substituting meat with plant-based #proteins can reduce them by over 40%. #Organic farming is not better for the #environment: Lower #yields imply greater #landuse than conventional #farming & GHG emissions can be similar. The evidence on the environmental #footprint of animal-based vs. #plant-based proteins is more conclusive. Animal products use over 80% of agricultural land & contribute over 50% of #emissions from food while providing only 37% of #protein & 18% of global calories. #Plant-based alternatives & #cultivatedmeat benefit public #health & #foodsecurity, and can be produced with less #resources and a much smaller #carbon footprint; even #emissions from lowest-impact meat, #dairy, aquaculture & #eggs exceed those of plant-based proteins. #Income is the most important driver of consumption of meat & #seafood; being male is also linked to more frequent #meat eating. Concern about the #environment plays less of role, but environmentally motivated households report less frequent consumption of red meat. Regarding cultured meat, being male, younger, better educated, urban and environmentally concerned indicates greater willing to substitute conventional meat with #cleanmeat. For all households, lower #prices have the largest impact on choosing #plantbased protein. While #taxes may have less public support, learning from #sugartax, they can be effective given the right design, compensatory measures, and public messaging: https://lnkd.in/dPWZCeRC #meattax

Why should you care about the #EUElections? Well, because the EU holds a great deal of power, especially over one critical issue: our food and farming system. Is it important to you that: 👦 Your kids get healthier food at their school canteens? 👩🌾 European farmers get a fair wage for their work? 🥕 You are offered equitable prices when buying sustainable and healthy food? 🔎 You get clear information about the contents of your food, including whether it contains #GMOs or not?   ☣️ The fruits and vegetables you buy at the supermarket are free from pesticides? 🐝 The nature around you stops declining? If you have answered “yes” to any of these questions, you are not alone 😊 The EU has the mandate to act on these issues that concern us all, which is why on June 6-9, we must go vote and elect EU representatives who commit to promoting sustainable farming, local food systems, and access to healthy food for everyone. #UseYourVote #FeedTheChange You agree? Download our Manifesto ➡️ https://bit.ly/3UcjJO4 With the same goal in mind, the Good Food Good Farming movement, of which Slow Food is an active member, has launched the #VoteFutureEU campaign to raise awareness on the importance of the EU elections for the future of food and agriculture. 📢 Join their effort! Get your “Vote for the Future” flag https://bit.ly/3wbbw4R This post is illustrated by original comics, courtesy of Good Food Good Farming☀️ #EUElections2024  #food #farming #sustainable #people #biodiversity #opportunity #agroecology #EU #GoodFoodGoodFarming

Harnessing soil carbon for change: Learn how soil plays a role in transforming the dairy industry into a leader in soil carbon management. Ahead of this week's Dairy Innovation Strategies Conference, it's a great time to review the webinar from earlier in the year: 'The Role of Soil Carbon in the Dairy Industry'. This webinar is a must-watch for those in the dairy industry looking to stay ahead of the curve on all things soil carbon. What we covered: 🌱 Carbon Sequestration Potential: The British dairy sector has significant potential to reduce emissions and achieve net zero targets through improved land management, leading to enhanced soil health, biodiversity, and carbon sequestration. 🌱 Role of Soil: Soil is central to both food production and carbon systems, capable of sequestering vast amounts of CO2. Importantly, sustainable landscape management is crucial for a multitude of ecological, economic, and community benefits. 🌱 Importance of Accurate Measurement: For effective carbon sequestration, there must be an accurate, cost-effective way to measure existing soil carbon levels to build upon. 🌱 Agricarbon's Role: Agricarbon has developed a robust system for soil sampling, analysis, and reporting, allowing producers to measure and monitor soil carbon stocks accurately. 🌱 Net Carbon Value and Public Perception: There's a need to highlight the net carbon value of farms, including carbon sequestration, to influence public perception and recognize farmers as custodians of national carbon. 🌱 Case Studies: First Milk and ARCZeroNI initiatives, working in collaboration with Agricarbon, measured soil carbon across their farms. This underscores the growing movement towards net zero and the significance of baseline data for carbon sequestration and emissions reduction. Click the link below to explore the synergy between dairy farming, soil health, and carbon management. You can fire any questions to Dr. Harry Kamilaris (details in the comments below). https://lnkd.in/eAcP2U4z