Agriculture

New rules weaken protections for rural communities and the climate

One of the nation’s bedrock environmental protections is the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), and it’s particularly critical for rural communities.

Agricultural knowledge and the future of food systems: The IAASTD project

Some 12 years ago, IATP contributed to a chapter of the first International Assessment of Agricultural Knowledge, Science and Technology for Development (IAASTD). About 400 authors contributed to a global report and five regionally specific reports produced with the help of two rounds of peer reviews of drafts.

Trade and market policy

An excerpt from the book "Transformation of our food systems — the making of a paradigm shift" by United Nations' World Agriculture Report (IAASTD) members.

Transformation now!

The COVID-19 pandemic exposes sharp injustices and system wide failures of today's prevailing food and agriculture systems - injustices that had already been accelerating over the past decade, which has proven to be the most destructive period of food production and consumption in modern history.

Africa at the crossroads: Time to abandon failing Green Revolution

Originally published by Inter Press Service (IPSNews). 

Don’t grant global meat corporations immunity, hold them accountable for COVID-19 failures

As the Senate reconvenes this week, a lobbying blitz to grant corporations special immunity protection is ramping up. Global meat companies are helping lead the charge, and it’s easy to see why.

US agricultural finance for climate resilience

Climate change is a daily presence in the work of farmers, ranchers and farmworkers. In 2018, primary agricultural production (and forestry) accounted for about 10.5% of all U.S. greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs) and offset about 11.6% of all U.S.

Climate Risk Ignored in Agricultural Finance Poses Hazards to Farmers and Rural Communities

MINNEAPOLIS—Today, the Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy (IATP) released a paper emphasizing the urgent need for U.S.

Agricultural Finance for Climate Resilience

U.S. agricultural financial policy and institutions, both public and private, have not yet adapted to climate change. Instead, Congress responds to more frequent extreme weather events with larger and increasingly frequent ad hoc disaster payments and increasing subsidies for private crop insurance from taxpayer funds. These short-term responses are not sustainable fiscally, economically or environmentally. 

Senate releases climate policy report — what does it say about agriculture?

Earlier this summer, the House of Representatives released a long-awaited report charting a policy path on climate change. Last week, the Senate released its own set of ideas.