Food not just agricultural byproduct
A very interesting editorial in the Nov. 21 edition of the WP.
I find it irritating that farmers are always mentioned as having to lower their greenhouse gas emission when we know that 70 per cent of them come from cities. I hardly ever hear mention of making ice in the summertime or flying sports teams all over the North American continent with the least efficient source of energy — jet engines.
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Unfortunately, it appears that more anti-agriculture activities are coming.
Starting in 2026, Finland is expected to introduce environmental taxes on livestock operations, “including on fur bearing animals and chickens.”
Germany is paying farmers to reduce their hog herd and find other sources of income and also thinking of reducing subsidies on biogas and biodiesel operations since there seems to be a sizable alternate energy supply.
Thankfully, there is a clause in there that it would be mostly if grain corn is used as a feedstock for these operations. It is considered, perhaps, that this land will need to be used to grow food for human consumption.
Pretty sad that food for humans is considered a byproduct of agricultural production. As has been mentioned for years, it may take a shortage of this commodity to make folks appreciate it.
We may have to get used to hearing the negative effects of food production for humans and instead concentrate on mentioning the problems of cow farts.
Horst Schreiber,
Ohaton, Alta.
