It is no coincidence that mad cow has yet to be reported on organic farms throughout Europe which prohibit feeding of slaughterhouse waste, give animals access to the outdoors and emphasize good animal health in general. In Sweden, which has been able to prevent an outbreak with good animal husbandry, farmers have gained public trust and recaptured local markets. In Germany, the food scare has sparked an about-face on farm policy. The chancellor replaced the agriculture minister with an environmentalist and declared that farm policy and practices must mesh with environmental and public health goals. The European Union as a whole is posed for similar systematic reforms that reach beyond quick-fix solutions like animal quarantines and meat irradiation.
Every government needs reforms at the national level, but in the end it is a global issue.
Trade is global, disease is global and protecting public health must become global, too. The writers are researchers at the Worldwatch Institute who focus on effects of food production. With A Friend Common Dreams NewsCenter is a non-profit news service providing breaking news and views for the Progressive Community. This site contains copyrighted material the use of which has not always been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. We are making such material available in our efforts to advance understanding of environmental, political, human rights, economic, democracy, scientific, and social justice issues, etc.