Letter to the Editor
Influencing Agricultural Policy A Call for Intersectoral Collaboration to Reduce Obesity and Climate Change To the Editor: A recent review by Franck et al. discussed the importance of agricultural policy and its impact on the American obesity epidemic.1 The review was motivated by the expiration of the 2008 Farm Bill and the drafting of a new Farm Bill for 2013, which would have implications for agricultural management for the next 5 to 7 years.1 The authors argued that government subsidies to agricultural markets have encouraged an overproduction of food, including an oversupply of grain-fed livestock in the U.S., and have conversely discouraged production of fruits and vegetables.1 The authors clearly illustrated how agricultural policy can affect the cost of food and, subsequently, consumer behavior and food choices.1 Although the authors recognized what little control public health practitioners have over the food industry, they did not provide suggestions on how the health sector can strengthen the impact of its policies. There are two sectors that are interlinked with agriculture, public health and climate change, and better management of agricultural production is likely to have the dual benefits of reducing obesity and mitigating climate change. This opportunity for intersectoral collaboration should not be overlooked. There is irrefutable evidence to suggest that climate change is occurring.2 Agriculture contributes to climate change through carbon emissions from the cycle of food processing, packaging, delivery, and waste3—livestock alone contributes to 18% of greenhouse gases.4 Agricultural policy has influenced an overproduction of food, causing unnecessary waste and excess use of water and fossil fuels.5 Furthermore, agriculture practices contribute to air and water pollution, which can have damaging effects on health.6 It seems logical that changing agricultural policy to reduce the overproduction of food will improve environmental sustainability and reduce obesity; however, it is also important to consider whether this too will have a negative impact on health. Studies have shown that food choices including meat and dairy can still be consumed at levels that meet dietary requirements and be
& 2014 American Journal of Preventive Medicine
regarded as sustainable.3 Although these findings provide further evidence to support changes to agriculture policy, it will not be a simple task, as these changes may affect the economy and the livelihoods of farmers and other businesses if not carefully constructed.4 Franck et al.1 have provided some insightful suggestions on how alternative policies can still support farmers even when they are aimed at reducing the problem.1 It is important to consider policy options that will also minimize the negative impacts on those who may be financially affected. Intersectoral collaborations are needed for organized action to influence agricultural policy. Consumer choices are heavily influenced by agricultural policy and impacts on health and the environment. It is difficult to expect consumers to change behaviors if the better choices have higher costs associated with them as a result of policy. Internationally, there is scope for reviewing the appropriateness of existing agricultural policy and how public health practitioners and climate change scientists can develop partnerships to influence change. Phuong Lan Thuy Nguyen, BBiomedSci (Hon) Footscray, Victoria, Australia E-mail: [email protected]. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.amepre.2013.10.015 No financial disclosures were reported by the author of this letter.
References 1. Franck C, Grandi S, Eisenberg M. Agricultural subsidies and the American obesity epidemic. Am J Prev Med 2013;45(3):327–33. 2. Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. Climate change 2007: synthesis report. Summary for policymakers. Valencia, Spain: IPCC, 2007. 3. Macdiarmid J, Kyle J, Horgan G, et al. Sustainable diets for the future: can we contribute to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by eating a healthy diet? Am J Clin Nutr 2012;96(3):632–9. 4. FAO. Livestock's long shadow: environmental issues and options. Rome: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, 2006. 5. Hall K, Guo J, Dore M, Chow C. The progressive increase of food waste in America and its environmental impact. PLoS One 2009;4(11):e7940. 6. Jackson R, Minjares R, Naumoff K, Shrimali B, Martin L. Agriculture policy is health policy. J Hunger Environ Nutr 2009;4(3–4):393–408.
Published by Elsevier Inc.
Am J Prev Med 2014;46(3):e43 e43
Influencing Agricultural Policy A Call for Intersectoral Collaboration to Reduce Obesity and Climate Change To the Editor: A recent review by Franck et al. discussed the importance of agricultural policy and its impact on the American obesity epidemic.1 The review was motivated by the expiration of the 2008 Farm Bill and the drafting of a new Farm Bill for 2013, which would have implications for agricultural management for the next 5 to 7 years.1 The authors argued that government subsidies to agricultural markets have encouraged an overproduction of food, including an oversupply of grain-fed livestock in the U.S., and have conversely discouraged production of fruits and vegetables.1 The authors clearly illustrated how agricultural policy can affect the cost of food and, subsequently, consumer behavior and food choices.1 Although the authors recognized what little control public health practitioners have over the food industry, they did not provide suggestions on how the health sector can strengthen the impact of its policies. There are two sectors that are interlinked with agriculture, public health and climate change, and better management of agricultural production is likely to have the dual benefits of reducing obesity and mitigating climate change. This opportunity for intersectoral collaboration should not be overlooked. There is irrefutable evidence to suggest that climate change is occurring.2 Agriculture contributes to climate change through carbon emissions from the cycle of food processing, packaging, delivery, and waste3—livestock alone contributes to 18% of greenhouse gases.4 Agricultural policy has influenced an overproduction of food, causing unnecessary waste and excess use of water and fossil fuels.5 Furthermore, agriculture practices contribute to air and water pollution, which can have damaging effects on health.6 It seems logical that changing agricultural policy to reduce the overproduction of food will improve environmental sustainability and reduce obesity; however, it is also important to consider whether this too will have a negative impact on health. Studies have shown that food choices including meat and dairy can still be consumed at levels that meet dietary requirements and be
& 2014 American Journal of Preventive Medicine
regarded as sustainable.3 Although these findings provide further evidence to support changes to agriculture policy, it will not be a simple task, as these changes may affect the economy and the livelihoods of farmers and other businesses if not carefully constructed.4 Franck et al.1 have provided some insightful suggestions on how alternative policies can still support farmers even when they are aimed at reducing the problem.1 It is important to consider policy options that will also minimize the negative impacts on those who may be financially affected. Intersectoral collaborations are needed for organized action to influence agricultural policy. Consumer choices are heavily influenced by agricultural policy and impacts on health and the environment. It is difficult to expect consumers to change behaviors if the better choices have higher costs associated with them as a result of policy. Internationally, there is scope for reviewing the appropriateness of existing agricultural policy and how public health practitioners and climate change scientists can develop partnerships to influence change. Phuong Lan Thuy Nguyen, BBiomedSci (Hon) Footscray, Victoria, Australia E-mail: [email protected]. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.amepre.2013.10.015 No financial disclosures were reported by the author of this letter.
References 1. Franck C, Grandi S, Eisenberg M. Agricultural subsidies and the American obesity epidemic. Am J Prev Med 2013;45(3):327–33. 2. Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. Climate change 2007: synthesis report. Summary for policymakers. Valencia, Spain: IPCC, 2007. 3. Macdiarmid J, Kyle J, Horgan G, et al. Sustainable diets for the future: can we contribute to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by eating a healthy diet? Am J Clin Nutr 2012;96(3):632–9. 4. FAO. Livestock's long shadow: environmental issues and options. Rome: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, 2006. 5. Hall K, Guo J, Dore M, Chow C. The progressive increase of food waste in America and its environmental impact. PLoS One 2009;4(11):e7940. 6. Jackson R, Minjares R, Naumoff K, Shrimali B, Martin L. Agriculture policy is health policy. J Hunger Environ Nutr 2009;4(3–4):393–408.
Published by Elsevier Inc.
Am J Prev Med 2014;46(3):e43 e43
