This is the second in a series of posts related to the Royal Society’s recently published issue “Food Security: Feeding the World in 2050,” which focuses on the drivers of change in the global food system and the challenges it faces to 2050.

Indigenous species could play an important role in diversifying and expanding the food supply and improving food security. (Photo credit: Bernard Pollack)

According to a recent article in the Royal Society’s journal Philosophical Transactions B, agricultural areas that typically experience extreme weather events every “one in 20” years will see an average rise in temperature of 3 degrees Celsius (4.8 ˚F) by 2050. And most places “will be hotter by 1 to 3˚ C.” This could increase the intensity of drought or floods and their effects on agricultural production. But the several articles that discuss climate change provide no firm conclusion on the effects of changing temperatures on crop yields and resource availability in different countries.

For arable crops, yields would increase in higher latitudes where growing seasons are prolonged, and decrease in lower latitudes where plants become stressed during times of flowering due to higher temperatures. According to some researchers, the increase in atmospheric greenhouse gases could actually provide a favorable climate for crops such as wheat, rice soya, and potato, but not for maize or sorghum. In an optimistic scenario, climate change could also reduce water needs for rain-fed crops, resulting in higher yields. But the changes in rainfall patterns and rising temperatures may also lead to increased evaporation, decreasing water availability; according to studies, an estimated 10-percent increase in precipitation would be required to balance an increase in temperature of 4˚C (5.6˚F).

Moreover, a predicted increase in industrial ozone emissions of 20 to 25 percent by 2050 could negatively affect crop growth, offsetting potential yield increases. Some authors point to the need for more studies to determine the real level of yield gaps for staple crops–that is, the maximum achievable yield versus the current yield–and how to bridge this gap. They stress that efforts to curb soil degradation are essential to prevent cultivatable land area from deteriorating further, and that improved crop varieties that can adapt to harsher conditions are essential in meeting the future increase in food demand.

The decrease in water stored as groundwater and as soil moisture will have a strong impact on livestock production as well. Already, increasing periods of drought have led to the loss of over one-third of Niger’s livestock in the past year. Such harsh conditions have forced pastoralists to move to different environments, which could expose them to new risks. In the United Kingdom, rising temperatures have increased the abundance and spread of diseases and parasites that affect sheep and cattle, such as endemic helminths.

Meanwhile, animals raised for food continue to contribute significantly to greenhouse gas emissions. One article that investigated the drivers of change in the livestock sector cited a 2006 United Nations report that concludes that livestock are responsible for 18 percent of global emissions. Innovations such as the use of manure and grazing management are recommended, but these may add to the costs of production. To meet growing global demand for meat, eggs, and dairy products, which is expected to surge over the next three decades, experts have proposed “wild card” solutions such as the use of nanotechnology to enable more precise livestock management, as well as “growing artificial meat in vats.” Organizations such as New Harvest are experimenting with “cultured meat” as well as meat substitutes, but such technologies will likely require at least another decade of research to come to fruition.

Fisheries in inland communities may experience challenges from more-intense rainfalls but lower overall flows in rivers and lakes. In the articles that discussed the future of fisheries and aquaculture, experts warn fishery-dependent populations that unfavorable climatic conditions combined with overfishing may lead to the extinction of entire species. At highest risk are fisheries at the “interface of two ecosystems,” such as those in Senegal and Angola, as well as very shallow areas such as estuaries and deltas. Rising sea temperatures are already causing warm-water fisheries to shift toward the poles. Beyond food security, the authors warn about the effects of sea-level rise on low-lying, rural coastal areas that are more prone to flooding. They recommend investing in these communities at an early stage to strengthen their ability to adapt to such crises.

In light of these impending challenges facing conventional agricultural systems, another article explore alternative means of obtaining food, such as foraging and incorporating wild species into regular diets. Upon examining 20 studies in Africa, authors found that typical rural communities already use approximately 100 wild species of plants, and many manage wild species for food uses. These indigenous species could play an important role in diversifying and expanding the food supply and improving food security, while also easing agriculture’s impacts on biodiversity.

Stay tuned for the next post in the series, where we will discuss urbanization, another major challenge and driver of change in the global food system.

source: http://www.energybulletin.net/stories/2010-09-10/future-our-food-system-our-changing-climate-and-food-availability

SIOUX CITY, Iowa–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Food safety attorney Bill Marler today petitioned the court for entrance to an Iowa egg farm responsible for the massive egg recall and nationwide outbreak of Salmonella.

A ‘Rule 34’ inspection – named for its position in the civil code – is a request for entry into a facility for purposes of inspection and testing. On behalf of one of its clients, Marler Clark has requested entry to the Wright County Egg facility to inspect, document, and conduct microbiological testing.

“According to the FDA inspection, the condition and operation of this egg facility is at the source of the contamination that led to thousands of illnesses nationwide,” said attorney Bill Marler. “As with the PCA peanut butter outbreak, the facility itself was an important part of the evidence, and it was critical to see it ourselves.”

The FDA inspection took place after Salmonella illnesses traced to eggs caused Wright County Egg and Hillandale Farms to recall 550 million eggs. The facility had not been inspected by FDA in the past, and numerous violations were found, ranging from poor procedure to shocking lapses in sanitary conditions. Environmental tests at the Wright County Egg factory and in Wright County Egg feed tested positive for the genetic match to 1,469 Salmonella Enteritidis (SE) illnesses nationwide.

Wright County Egg of Galt, IA recalled 330 million eggs contaminated with Salmonella in August 2010. Hillandale Farms, another Iowa producer with close ties to Wright County Egg, recalled an additional 170 million eggs, together creating one of the largest food recalls in American history. To date, illnesses have been confirmed in California, Colorado, Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Carolina, Nevada, South Dakota, Texas, and Wisconsin.

ABOUT MARLER CLARK: Marler Clark has represented victims of every major foodborne illness outbreak since 1993. The firm’s attorneys have litigated high-profile food poisoning cases against such companies as ConAgra, Wendy’s, Chili’s, Chi-Chi’s, and Jack in the Box. Marler Clark currently represents thousands of victims of outbreaks traced to frozen meals, ground beef, tomatoes, peppers, lettuce, peanut butter, and spinach, as well as other foods. For further information contact Mary Siceloff at 206-719-4705 or msiceloff@marlerclark.com or visit www.MarlerClark.com and www.marlerblog.com.

DES MOINES, Iowa — Sen. Charles Grassley has asked Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack to address accusations that federal workers ignored complaints about conditions at an Iowa farm involved in a recall of salmonella-tainted eggs.

Grassley sent a letter to Vilsack on Tuesday, asking whether the U.S. Department of Agriculture had received complaints and was what done to investigate the concerns. He also asked Vilsack whether there is a system in place for farm and USDA employees to report problems.

“The recent egg recalls … have troubled consumers and weakened confidence in our nation’s food supply,” Grassley wrote in the letter. “When Americans visit their local grocery store, they should be able to trust that the food they are purchasing to feed their family is safe to consume.”

The Iowa senator said his questions arose after two former workers at Wright County Egg near Galt, Iowa, claimed they complained about problems at the farm to USDA employees working there but were ignored.

USDA spokesman Caleb Weaver said Wednesday that the agency is working on a response to Grassley’s letter.

Last week, Weaver said a USDA employee who oversaw agency operations at the farm did not recall any concerns being raised but the agency was continuing its investigation into the claims.

On Wednesday, Weaver said he did not have any additional information about the situation.

USDA employees at the farm inspect eggs and grade them but are not there to inspect for food safety issues. An agreement with the Food and Drug Administration does allow them to report unsanitary or other conditions that would require them to withhold the voluntary grading service.

The FDA has oversight of food safety issues, and a recent inspection by FDA investigators found rodents, maggots and leaking manure at Wright County Egg and Hillandale Farms of Iowa near New Hampton.

Those two farms recalled about 550 million eggs that were linked to about 1,400 illnesses nationwide.

About five weeks before the recall was announced, the FDA imposed new egg safety rules that call for increased monitoring and inspections at egg farms across the U.S.

Copyright © 2010 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.

source:  http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5iKb97kQztNanR0g8BG9VtTKJdYYQD9I3SU981