To avert food shortage, U.S. and allies will boost food aid and grow more
Global food shortages are a real possibility as a result of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, President Biden told reporters while meeting with allies in Brussels on Thursday. Western leaders, including European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, joined Biden in saying they would step up their hunger-relief programs and encourage their farmers to grow more food.
Avian flu, ‘a continuing threat,’ has claimed 14 million birds
To prevent spread of a deadly poultry disease, the Agriculture Department urged bird owners on Thursday to practice good biosecurity and to consider keeping their birds indoors all day. Fourteen million birds in domestic flocks have died in outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza since Feb. 8.
Today’s Quick Hits
California biofuel rush: California’s plan to bring “green” fuels to the market may end up rewarding livestock farmers for making manure rather than meat or milk and oil refineries for producing renewable diesel from vegetable oils needed to make food. (Los Angeles Times)
Room to grow: One-fourth of consumers would choose a plant-based patty over a hamburger, suggesting “there is ample room for this market to grow,” but since many of them don’t eat much beef, the impact on beef demand could be negligible, said researchers. (Applied Economic Perspectives and Policy)
Bill backs grazing: Two members of the Senate Agriculture Committee introduced a bill that would more than double, to $125,000 a year, the maximum rental payment on land in the Conservation Reserve and allow cost-sharing payments for building fences and installing water infrastructure on land approved for grazing. (Thune)
More beef to Japan: Japan will allow a larger volume of U.S. beef to be imported before it applies “safeguard” tariffs to the imports, according to a preliminary agreement between the countries. About a quarter of U.S. beef exports go to Japan. (USTR)
Canadian potatoes return: Canada can resume shipping Prince Edward Island potatoes to the U.S. under specified conditions that will pose little risk of introducing potato wart disease into this country. (USDA)
