Nebraska Politicians Opposes UN’s Stance on Meat
By Gordon Hopkins
Some Nebraska politicians are pushing back on the United Nations (UN) Food Strategy released during the recently concluded UN Climate Change Conference, which recommends reducing the production and consumption of meat as part of an overall plan to combat climate change.
While a report issued this month by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN states that fossil fuels are the primary contributor to climate change, it also said, “However, aligning agrifood transformation with other sectors like energy and transportation can mitigate climate impacts while improving food access, especially for the impoverished.”
The report also claims, “The livestock sector is composed of a large variety of animals associated with a wide range of GHG (greenhouse gas) footprints and nutritional potential. Under current practices, shifting from large ruminant to small ruminant animals for meat products, and from ruminant to monogastric animals, in particular chicken, will reduce the GHG impacts of animal-food based products.”
Meat production is one of Nebraska’s primary industries. In response to the UN’s stance, U.S. Congressman Mike Flood, representing Nebraska’s first district, introduced a resolution condemning the UN’s food strategy.
On a post on the social media site, X (formerly known as Twitter), Flood posted, “And that’s why I’ll keep fighting the U.N. and the global elites who are trying to kill meat production, which would only shatter the world’s food security and end an age-old way of life for millions of farmers and ranchers around the world.”
Nebraska Governor Jim Pillen reacted positively to Flood’s resolution. Pillen said, “I appreciate Congressman Flood’s leadership on this very important issue. The United Nations’ radical attack on agriculture undermines the livelihoods of Nebraska farmers and ranchers, as well as those in other states where agriculture is an economic driver. Anti-agriculture activism damages the world’s food system and hurts the hungry. In Nebraska, our farmers and ranchers raise their products using sustainable methods, designed to protect the land and resources on which they rely. I urge the House of Representatives to pass Congressman Flood’s resolution, recognizing Nebraska’s collective role in feeding the world and saving the planet.”
