Archive for November 9th, 2018

09/11/2018

Antimicrobial Resistance – What You Need to Know

ROME, 9 November 2018 (FAO)*An estimated 700 000 people die each year from antimicrobial resistant (AMR) infections and an untold number of sick animals may not be responding to treatment. AMR is a significant global threat to public health, food safety and security, as well as to livelihoods, animal production and economic and agricultural development.

The more antimicrobials are used, the more likely microorganisms will develop resistance. ©FAO/Ishara Kodikara

The intensification of agricultural production has led to a rising use of antimicrobials – a use that is expected to more than double by 2030. Antimicrobials are important for the treatment of animal and plant diseases but must be used responsibly and only when needed.

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09/11/2018

Inequality Exacerbates Hunger, Malnutrition and Obesity in Latin America and the Caribbean

Human Wrongs Watch

Obesity grows by 3.6 million people every year in the region, while hunger has increased in three countries since 2014, according to a new report from FAO, PAHO, UNICEF and WFP*

Photo: ©FAO/Jules Tusseau

The report shows greater food insecurity rates among indigenous peoples

7 November 2018, Santiago de Chile / Panama City – Hunger, malnutrition, lack of micronutrients, overweight and obesity have greater impact on people with lower income, women, indigenous people, Afro-descendants and rural families in Latin America and the Caribbean, according to a new UN report.

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09/11/2018

‘Every Bite of Burger Boosts Harmful Greenhouse Gases’

Human Wrongs Watch

Even though meat production is known to be a major contributor to climate change and environmental destruction, worldwide demand for meat continues to rise, said UN environment agency, UNEP, in a statement released on 8 November 2018.

Daniil Nenashev/World Bank | A herd of cattle graze in a pasture near a village in Kazakhstan. | Photo from UN News.

According to the World Economic Forum, the beef and dairy industry is responsible for more greenhouse gas emissions than the world’s biggest oil companies, with the combined emissions of the top meat and dairy companies exceeding those of highly industrialized nations such as Germany or the UK.

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09/11/2018

Civilians Suffering Due to Sanctions Must Be Spared ‘Collective Punishment’ – UN Special Rapporteur on Effects of Sanctions on Human Rights

Human Wrongs Watch

Innocent civilians must not be exposed to “collective punishment” in disputes between two States, a United Nations human rights expert has said, calling for greater protection for ordinary people affected by punitive sanctions imposed by one country on another.

Idriss Jazairy, the UN Special Rapporteur on effects of sanctions on human rights, said that measures that seek to block a country’s trade altogether, amount to economic warfare against civilians, with devastating consequences.

“Under economic sanctions, people also die but from lack of food and medicine, rather than from explosive devices,” said the UN rights expert in a news release on 8 November 2018.

This form of warfare that relies on starvation and disease “deserves the same concern” on the part of the international community as any other conflict, he added, noting protections guaranteed under the Fourth Geneva Convention, which applies during times of war.

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