Animal Agriculture Is a Major Source of Climate Change: USDA Backpedals After Encouraging Employees to Have ‘Meatless Mondays’
- Posted on July 26, 2012 at 3:11pm by
Becket Adams
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Despite a drought that threatens the business and livelihood of U.S. ranchers, someone at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) thought it’d be a great idea to encourage agency employees to go vegetarian once a week because, apparently, eating meat causes global warming, er, global climate change.
Unsurprisingly, when people heard about “Meatless Mondays,” things didn’t go over so well and the
agency has since backed off the initiative.
“This move by USDA should be condemned by anyone who believes agriculture is fundamental to sustaining life on this planet,” said J.D. Alexander, president of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association.
The agency proposed the meatless initiative in an online newsletter to employees about “greening” efforts.
“One simple way to reduce your environmental impact while dining at our cafeterias is to participate in the ‘Meatless Monday’ initiative,” the USDA newsletter stated. “This international effort, as the name implies, encourages people not to eat meat on Mondays.
“How will going meatless one day of the week help the environment? The production of meat, especially beef (and dairy as well), has a large environmental impact,” it continued.
“According to the U.N., animal agriculture is a major source of greenhouse gases and climate change. It also wastes resources.”
The newsletter also informed employees about the “many health concerns” associated with “excessive consumption” of meat.
After the release of the online newsletter, Sen. Jerry Moran (R-Kansas) asked Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack to clarify the departments’ position.
“Never in my life would I have expected USDA to be opposed to farmers and ranchers,” Moran said in a statement. “American farmers and ranchers deserve a USDA that will pursue supportive policies rather than seek their further harm.”
“With extreme drought conditions plaguing much of the United States, the USDA should be more concerned about helping drought-stricken producers rather than demonizing an industry reeling from the lack of rain,” he added.
Moran asked whether it is USDA “official policy” to discourage consumption of “American grown meat,” according to Fox News.
“It is my hope that the USDA has not abandoned farmers and ranchers in pursuit of policies best left to the Environmental Protection Agency,” he said.
For its part, the Agriculture Department says “Meatless Mondays” was made “without proper clearance,” the Associated Press reported.
USDA spokeswoman Cortney Rowe says the department does not endorse the initiative, which is part of a “global public health campaign.” The agency removed the posting hours after the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association denounced it in a news release.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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Comments (106)
christos
Posted on July 26, 2012 at 3:55pmNorwalk juicers/Gershon cancer therapists,holistic healers would not recommend an acidic diet,health on a cellular level is the way +JESUS+GOD+ intended us to live,Earth Shift Products.com,Raw Food World.com are 2 excellent sites,most conventional Doctors do not know hooey about cellular nutrition.The conventional processed food feeds the hospitals & pharmaceutical industry,they need you to just be treated not cured they get a % of each prescription they write $$$$$$.
Report Post »midwesthippie
Posted on July 26, 2012 at 5:21pm…how about a “governmentless monday”…
Report Post »muffythetuffy
Posted on July 26, 2012 at 9:28pmI do not trust the USDA to inspect the meat I eat. They are nothing but a bunch of liars. How can they be trusted to do anything. Cattle eat grass that grows were food crops will not. Unlike food crops grass does not need fertilizer. Cattle can eat high cellulose grass and convert it into high quality protein. The world of hungry people need protein.
Report Post »RJJinGadsden
Posted on July 27, 2012 at 6:39amMIDWESTHIPPIE, I’m with you on that. We have declared now Steak and Egg Monday. During the weekdays I usually had oatmeal with a touch of honey, slivered almonds, and usually with raisins. Then an apple or two, a banana, and an orange. But for the time being, it will be Steak and Eggs Monday.
Report Post »Shoot, how about a part time government when it comes to poking their noses into our business.
indy1
Posted on July 26, 2012 at 3:54pmGlobal warmism is a deadly virus.
Report Post »Wolf
Posted on July 26, 2012 at 8:41pmGoreball Warming is a farce.
Report Post »Minnaloushe
Posted on July 26, 2012 at 3:50pmThe progressives’ goal is to turn us all into non-smoking*, unarmed, vegan, curl-up-into-a-ball-at-the-mere-mention-of-guns, god-forbid-you-say-”pass the salt!”, defenceless, force-feminized, douchebags so we properly cower before their self-righteous, cowardly, and controlling personalities.
* Smoking dope is, of course, an exception as it is a multicultural imposition which supercedes mere individual (turn and cough) liberty.
Report Post »MCDAVE
Posted on July 26, 2012 at 5:35pmAll of this global warming nonsense is a lie… Blaming it on livestock is beyond ridiculous, The Earth has always been teeming with life..Before the cattle were here their was 50 Million bison in North America..Our government motivated by greed just wants to slap a carbon tax on each head of livestock in the nation, Al Gore is a con man made rich by liberal stupidity.
Report Post »Grey Eagle
Posted on July 26, 2012 at 6:58pmYou are correct. Global Warming is a hoax and junk science. Amazing that it is just radical Democrats who believe this crap.
Report Post »christos
Posted on July 26, 2012 at 3:47pmith all of the antibiotics,growth hormones,synthetic laced feed fed to animals,cramped living conditions,their bodies are growing faster than their bone structure & they fall down,mad cow/wasting brain disease suspected from feeding animals through their food other animals,cows are meant to eat grass,all of these horrific animal abuses,exactly on a molecular level does this do to the people eating this garbage & the environment,Some biologists will tell the Truth on this,there is Merit in a fact based solution on this subject,,+JESUS+GOD+ gave us/humans authority over animals but not authority to abuse them,in no way do I agree with the U.N. about anything they are an arm of the anti +CHRIST+ yet find out how the animals you are eating have been raised,find out what antibiotics & growth hormones they have been given,people will not have a resistance to the super bugs because their own immune system is compromised from eating decades of antibiotic laden meat,,sickness feeds the pharmaceutical companies and only treating you not curing you is their cash cow $$$$$$
Report Post »christos
Posted on July 26, 2012 at 3:56pmEdit – (With) all of the antibiotics,
Report Post »christos
Posted on July 26, 2012 at 4:01pmEdit – exactly on a molecular level (what) does this do to the people eating this garbage
Report Post »christos
Posted on July 26, 2012 at 4:12pmTo BLAZEBANNED – Thank you for the compliment,don’t know ENCINOM sorry,yeah David Wolfe is an expert at this subject,for your entry level I would recommend MD Don Colbert he has many resources on this subject,also Veria T.V. show or Veria.com “The Incurables” is a good show & of course the show “What A Relief” also on Veria starring Amanda Mc Quade Crawford she is a certified Herbalist,no this is not a hypothetical theory Alternative Healers Key word “Healers” are Genuine they represent the way +CHRIST+ intends us to live,check them out if you want to know the Truth,about food,environment & Living.
Report Post »christos
Posted on July 26, 2012 at 4:18pmI do not believe man is causing global warming that would be saying man is in charge of the weather no +JESUS+GOD+ are,I do believe man is destroying the environment though,in one state in the 1960 there was 18 inches of top soil in that same state in 2012 there is about 8,why conventional farming,the creeks are polluted with synthetic chemicals as is the soil,why conventional farming well when their is no top soil left 8 inches is not much they won’t need to worry about their profits they won;t have any,they don’t even let the land rest ever,they have destroyed the land and water,because of Greed.
Report Post »GodGivenRight
Posted on July 26, 2012 at 4:24pm@Christos – Your entire post is bull cr*p. You have probably never even been out of your urban environment except to take a nature walk in the local park, just like the rest of these environmental wackos. I grew up in the Cattle Feedlot business, so I have seen it first-hand. The cattle are brought in to the Feedlot after living with their mother and then weaned off and wheat or grass pasture fed until they are sold to go to the Feedlot. When they live in the Feedlot, we had to be careful not to spook them because they had room in their pens to run and we didn’t want a stampede. They are only kept in the Feedlot for 90-120 days before they are sold for slaughter. They were fed a mixture of corn and grains. Know what you are talking about before disparaging a whole industry!
Report Post »christos
Posted on July 26, 2012 at 4:55pmTo GODGIVENRIGHT – Never said I was out to disparage an entire industry,you never spoke of what antibiotics or growth hormones were given to your cattle,also I was speaking of the Animal industry which includes pigs,chicken & veal oh that’s humane,cattle are not meant to eat corn or grain & surely that was grown with synthetic fertilizers,I know not all livestock business abuse their animals,yet the animals aren’t in their natural environment,just as you state yous where pet in a feed lot,I do not know of many businesses who could dump that much toxins into the environment & be considered good stewards of the land,nope don’t live in a urban area,yes know several Biology Majors who posses extensive knowledge of agronomy,although common sense could lead you to this conclusion,eventually diminished returns will return the favor.
Report Post »historyguy48
Posted on July 26, 2012 at 5:02pmComrade Godgivenright. Thank you for trying to straighten out the false assumptions of Christos which are based on nothing more than fear mongoring by people intent on making a lot of money off of ignorance.
Report Post »The ignorance of city dwellers is unbelivable!
christos
Posted on July 26, 2012 at 5:03pmEdit – ,just as you state (yours) where (put) in a feed lot,
Report Post »christos
Posted on July 26, 2012 at 5:10pmTo GODGIVENRIGHT – You really want to challenge my post,your saying there is 18 inches of top soil when there is only 8 inches of top soil now, I did not list what state,your wrong,oh of course unless you want to call field experts liars, the soil has been tested & recorded,you even could look this up & verify this info,
Report Post »christos
Posted on July 26, 2012 at 5:11pmTo HISTORYGUY48 – Wrong I don’t live in city,
Report Post »christos
Posted on July 26, 2012 at 5:16pmCows/cattle are meant to eat grass/hay.
Report Post »GodGivenRight
Posted on July 26, 2012 at 6:33pmReally? I didn’t realize you had a degree in Animal Husbandry. I’m sure you have spent days, year after year, riding/driving through the herds watching their behavior, counting them to make sure they were all there and safe, hours pulling (delivering) calves and hours riding in the scorching sun looking for sick heifers/steers to take in and doctor. Let’s not forget the times that freezing weather and blizzards roll through the country and you go out in the weather to chop ice in the cattle’s water tank so they can drink and make sure they have enough to eat. Shall I go on? …or maybe you can elaborate since you know so much about bovines.
Report Post »christos
Posted on July 26, 2012 at 7:19pmTo GODGIVENRIGHT – Never said I had a degree in animal husbandry,sounds like you hate/complain about the job you chose,personally know a ton of men who work much harder than you/going by your job description,without a complaint,you conventional farmers have nothing on the old native Americans,or the small farmers who use the old fashioned way of farming,conventional giant farmers are all about $$$$,not implying you are one,you seemed to miss the whole crux of my posts,the environment does matter & the livestock industry is out of control,in addition conventional farming practices are destroying the top soil,,healthy discussions on real topics are based on the Truth,vegans don’t eat what you produce anyway,could careless what people eat,just so it’s not destroying my right to clean water & air & environment.
Report Post »christos
Posted on July 26, 2012 at 7:23pmTo GODSGIVENRIGHT – They have a thing called a water heater for animal water tanks that keeps the water from freezing ,,
Report Post »Rothbardian_in_the_Cleve
Posted on July 26, 2012 at 3:44pmThe climate has changed on this planet for millions of years…now it’s a problem?
We have banned Big Mac styrofoam containers, CFC’s, freon, and countless other crap. How come the climate is still changing? At what point do these people look in the mirror and say “Ooops, I’m an idiot.”?
Report Post »Anonymous T. Irrelevant
Posted on July 26, 2012 at 3:57pmThey will never admit it. They will argue this until they are red in the face. I haven’t met a liberal yet, who will let facts get in the way of their opinion.
Report Post »sWampy
Posted on July 26, 2012 at 4:24pmAmen, liberals never let the truth get in way of their evil plans.
Report Post »Mutiny
Posted on July 26, 2012 at 4:39pmThank goodness we have a GOP candidate running for president that knows that humans causing all of this global warming is a joke.
Wait, what? Romney said what?
Report Post »http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3G598Xno5qU
Constructionist
Posted on July 26, 2012 at 3:43pmNo worries, after another four years of this administration we will all have meatless Mondays… and Tuesdays…. and Wednesdays… and Thursdays…
Report Post »Roberto G. Vasquez
Posted on July 26, 2012 at 3:51pmShouldn’t the USDA be re-named the UNDA? It would certainly be more appropriate.
Report Post »NikolaTesla
Posted on July 26, 2012 at 3:57pmNot true, there will be just enough for Obama to have his Cheeseburger with arugula and Dijon mustard……
Report Post »Mutiny
Posted on July 26, 2012 at 4:40pm@const
You do know Romney believes in man made global warming right?
Report Post »BlackCrow
Posted on July 26, 2012 at 3:41pmI am under religious compulsion to eat a Baconator burger for noon meal at my desk on Mondays.
Church of Good Sandwiches is recruiting now. The only requirement is the enjoyment of greasy gooie sandwiches. Adherents must consume greasy gooie sandwiches at the noon meal Monday-Friday.
So say me High Greasy Gooie.
Report Post »tootsie roll
Posted on July 26, 2012 at 3:41pmdID WE JUST GET RID OF THE epa GUY WHO SAID we go into a town a crucify those businesses
Report Post »then they all comply.
American people need to REALLY REALLY WATCH OUR GOV. UNDER OBAMA
progressiveslayer
Posted on July 26, 2012 at 3:39pmIf Barry were president prior to the industrial revolution we would still be riding horses and our life spans would be much shorter.Government sucks and big government is a killer.
Report Post »HKS
Posted on July 26, 2012 at 3:55pmHe would probably shoot the horses, Is there anyone in this government that is not an Imbecile?
Report Post »SREGN
Posted on July 26, 2012 at 3:38pmObama Dogma: Run in fear from problems that don’t exist and bury your head up your a$$ about the ones that do.
Report Post »Madmilo
Posted on July 26, 2012 at 3:37pmI really believe that if there is global climate change (which there is NOT) it’s from all the hot air coming from Washington D.C.
Report Post »DSTSS2010
Posted on July 26, 2012 at 3:32pmThe hot air coming out of this Administration is a major source of CO2. Let’s get rid of them and leave the cows and farmers alone.
Report Post »SpankDaMonkey
Posted on July 26, 2012 at 3:31pm.
STUPID PEOPLE BREATHING IS A MAJOR SOURCE OF CLIMATE CHANGE…..
If you believe in Man Made Global Warming, please visit the nearest Vet Clinic and have yourself Spayed or Nutered along with any offspring you may have produced.
Report Post »OneTermPresident
Posted on July 26, 2012 at 3:31pmYet another reason Obama must GO. Everyday there’s some goofball thing him or his people try.
Report Post »kickagrandma
Posted on July 26, 2012 at 3:30pmMy father was a rancher who raised award-winning livestock all his life. I would have been one, too, but I‘m a girl and wasn’t given the chance. HOWEVER, apparently we need to do away with the afda (I’m guessing “da” stands for “dumb ass”) while WE THE PEOPLE are cleaning house starting right here, right now. In JESUS’ HOLY name, amen!
Report Post »All Pro
Posted on July 26, 2012 at 3:25pmAnd away we go…….
Meat is a carcinogen
Man made global warming
Ban guns
global tax
Global police force
paper is money
Had enough yet? Is it time to water the tree of liberty yet?
Report Post »Ron Paul 2012
Mutiny
Posted on July 26, 2012 at 4:42pm@all
They dont get it. We are the crazy ones in their eyes. They wont understand until the guns are taken and or they are indefinitely detained. Even then they might not get it.
Report Post »SocialistSlayer
Posted on July 26, 2012 at 3:25pmIt’s time to rid ourselves of many of these useless Departments , the Dept of Agriculture, Department of Education, Department of Energy, the EPA, and Department of Labor. All useless organizations and examples of a Fascist Government !
Report Post »Rothbardian_in_the_Cleve
Posted on July 26, 2012 at 3:26pmOkay, how exactly? C’mon now…say it.
Report Post »progressiveslayer
Posted on July 26, 2012 at 3:36pmROTHBARDIAN_IN_THE_CLEVE That’s simple Ron Paul,but he got screwed and so did the people.
Report Post »SocialistSlayer
Posted on July 26, 2012 at 5:51pmROTHBARDIAN_IN_THE_CLEVE : If I have to explain it to you it’s not worth the trouble my friend. But I agree with the current set of Clowns in Congress it would be nearly impossible but just maybe – one department at a time?
Report Post »progressiveslayer
Posted on July 26, 2012 at 3:24pmSilly me I thought nature was involved in the climate changing,it has to be man made so we can tax you into oblivion and make your energy cost more than it should,redistribute wealth from the US to favored countries and transform America into a third world **** hole country,sounds like a plan.
Report Post »MN NICE
Posted on July 26, 2012 at 3:24pmWOW. It’s time to cull the (government) herd…
Report Post »DSTSS2010
Posted on July 26, 2012 at 3:23pmGet the U.N. out of our business! Almost every U.N. initiative is meant to bring the U.S.A. down. Kick hese anti-Americans out of our Country. The U.S. out of the U.N., the U.N. out of the U.S.!
Report Post »MN NICE
Posted on July 26, 2012 at 3:30pmWell, the UN sounds like they would like to reduce the production of beef… Maybe they can get all the muslim countries to eat more pork!!
A pork chop with every beer is my slogan!!
Report Post »Mutiny
Posted on July 26, 2012 at 4:43pm@dstss
There is only one guy that has been calling for that. Ron Paul!!!
A vote for Romney is a vote for Obama’s policies.
Report Post »Mandors
Posted on July 26, 2012 at 3:22pmWhen will this climate change, carbon cycle myth be put to rest?
Before Columbus, bison herds larger than the state of Delaware roamed the plains. In African similar sized groups of animals could be found all over the continent. These persisted into the begins of the industrial age.
Report Post »scrudge
Posted on July 26, 2012 at 3:22pmPrint it
Report Post »Ben__Franklin
Posted on July 26, 2012 at 3:19pmFor its part, the Agriculture Department says “Meatless Mondays” was made “without proper clearance,” the Associated Press reported.
USDA spokeswoman Cortney Rowe says the department does not endorse the initiative, which is part of a “global public health campaign.” The agency removed the posting hours after the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association denounced it in a news release.
———————————————————
This whole Obama Administration “Knows nutt’in…about nutt’in…..” Who the hell is running these Government Departments? None of them know what their departments are doing…..or at least that’s what they feign. This is the worst Administration in the history of this country. None of them take any responsibility.
Report Post »progressiveslayer
Posted on July 26, 2012 at 3:28pmYou’re wrong about one thing though,this is no ‘administration’ it’s a regime and make no mistake that Marxist POS is ruling us not governing us,a big difference.Cut all government by 75-80% and our economy would take off.
Report Post »scrudge
Posted on July 26, 2012 at 3:17pmAh YES… WELL GUYS NO cho cho ON MONDAYS
Report Post »kaydeebeau
Posted on July 26, 2012 at 3:13pmI think the greatest impact for all mankind would be to just ban leftists…….
Report Post »progressiveslayer
Posted on July 26, 2012 at 3:21pmMy thoughts as well you just beat me to the punch,yes it would be nirvana if all leftists were just gone.
Report Post »Madmilo
Posted on July 26, 2012 at 3:25pmI have suspected for a long time that the tree huggers have taken over the E.P.A.
Report Post »Now it seems like P.E.T.A. has taken over the U.S.D.A..
I have been in the meat business all my life (4th generation butcher) and I have never heard such B.S. from this government. Why don’t you idiots just come and put a lock on my door and put me out of business, After all thats what you want, is’nt it?
progressiveslayer
Posted on July 26, 2012 at 3:34pmMADMILO Communists are the origins of EPA,yes the moron Carter inflicted the unconstitutional department on us but going back further it was the communists who knew using an agency like EPA would undermine business and ultimately destroy our economy.They knew they couldn’t defeat us on the battleground so they chose this route.
Report Post »Rothbardian_in_the_Cleve
Posted on July 26, 2012 at 3:39pm@Madmilo,
Just cut off the lock. Screw them. What are they going to do? Shoot you for selling meat?
Oh my bad, most of the people on the board would cheer when the cops took you away since they are the thin blue line that keeps us safe…from you.
The government has no power without the consent of the people. When unconstitutional agencies created by unconstitutional executive orders staffed by cabinet members not vetted by congress/senate enact unconstitutional policies we don’t have to obey them. When cops come to take us away call them out…name them. They live among us. They shop at our stores. We’d no more excuse Nazi prison guards then why tolerate our “friends” oppressing us?
Until we are willing to stand up to tyranny it will win. And don’t give me this Mit Romney will save us BS. Until 1 of us stands up there will never be millions of us who stand up. Until we pledge or “lives, fortunes and sacred honor” we will gain nothing. We don’t want to sit in a jail cell. We can’t bear being audited by the IRS, having our property seized and being defamed in the media. We won’t make that sacrifice and we tolerate…heck revere…people who oppress us and settle for lesser tyrants as solutions to greater ones.
We get what we deserve. Perhaps some future generation will stand up to the tyranny that we embrace.
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