China's Food Safety Forum Focus

Great news to see China's Belt and Road Eco-Agriculture and Food Safety Forum focusing this year on new technologies for food safety tracing and e-commerce, the fastest growing retail grocery sector.  It’s all part of China’s Food Safety Week, organized by the State Council’s division for “international trade”—irony in the name perhaps but spot on.  Global food safety is dependent on open trading systems!!

Horns of a Dilemma #7

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. 

Horns of a Dilemma #6

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

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.