Katrine Lawaetz Announced as Chair of VetSalus

 

We are delighted to announce that Katrine Lawaetz has taken on the role as Chair of VetSalus. Katrine is a highly qualified and experienced veterinarian with a background in veterinary practice with a focus on dairy herd health, disease, and reproduction. Her veterinary work has been dedicated to Herd Health Management, Animal welfare, and she has until now been active as chairman for VetSalus Scandinavia.

Book review: Saying No to a Farm Free Future by Chris Smaje.

 

The pale green cover of ‘Saying No to a Farm Free Future’ is simple, if maybe a little wordy. The extended subtitle, ‘The case for an ecological food system and against manufactured foods’ neatly summarises the intention of this book. This is a book which really does deliver what it says on the cover. In presenting many detailed arguments, most of which are firmly pitched at refuting George Monbiot’s recent work, ‘Re-genesis' (1), the book packs a powerful punch but does sacrifice some readability as the carefully argued case, at times, runs little dry.

Course Provides Veterinarian with Insight and Language for Sustainability

 

Veterinarian Jørgen Kragsig Olesen has recently completed a course that places sustainability for veterinarians in an international perspective and provides insight into how veterinary expertise can be utilised in the green agenda. He believes that as a veterinarian, he should develop his understanding of sustainability because changes in agricultural structure, new green policies, and corporate demands are challenging the traditional role of veterinarians in a new world. Therefore, individual veterinarians should future-proof their skills.

Briefing: Fonterra Initiative in New Zealand

 

Our recent newsletter mentions the move by Fonterra to achieve a reduction in emissions, particularly a 30% reduction in their Scope 3 emissions, which for Fonterra originates mainly on their supplying farms. Indeed 93% of Fonterra’s emissions are scope 3. The target is an intensity based reduction, a fact which while pragmatic, has attracted some criticism. The detailed target is:

“A 30% reduction in Fonterra’s Scope, and Scope 3 FLAG emissions from dairy by 30% per tonne of fat and protein corrected milk between FY18 and FY30.”