From the editors of Feedstuffs
Denmark to tax emissions from farmers in pioneering move
By Sanne Wass, Bloomberg
Denmark will introduce a levy on farm emissions in what is set to be one of the world’s first carbon taxes on agriculture, helping the Nordic nation reach its 2030 climate target with backing from key industry and environmental groups.
Farmers will be taxed 300 kroner ($43) per ton of CO2 equivalent emitted from 2030, the government said on Monday. Five years later, the tax will rise to 750 kroner per ton, though farmers will benefit from higher tax deductions.
Denmark is set to become one of the world’s first nations to introduce such measures. New Zealand, whose proposed levy had inspired the Scandinavian country, said earlier this month it would delay its plans to introduce farm emissions pricing to 2030 at the latest.
Denmark’s plan is estimated to reduce emissions by 1.8 million ton of CO2 in 2030, enabling the country to meet its target for that year to cut emissions by 70%. Apart from the tax, the government will also introduce subsidies worth 40 billion kroner to support the transition.
Negotiations about the tax have been underway since February, involving bodies representing farmers and the food industry, the country’s nature conservation organization and the Danish government, who have been evaluating taxation models presented by a government-commissioned advisory group.
Agriculture in Denmark, a big exporter of pork and dairy, is one of the Nordic countries’ biggest emitters. Without intervention, farming would account for 46% of Danish emissions in 2030, according to the advisory group.
Tyson Foods announces agreement to sell Georgia poultry complex
Tyson Foods, Inc. (NYSE: TSN) has entered into an agreement to sell its Vienna, Georgia poultry complex to House of Raeford Farms. Tyson Foods’ decision to sell the complex is part of its continued efforts to optimize its plant network, and the company will continue to service customer orders from other production locations. House of Raeford Farms intends to continue poultry processing at the complex utilizing the existing workforce and grower network. The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions.
Topigs Norsvin, Muyuan Foods break groundon joint venture nucleus farm
On June 30, a groundbreaking ceremony marked the start of a nucleus farm near Wuwei in China's Gansu province. This project is a joint venture between Topigs Norsvin and Muyuan Foods and demonstrates their shared commitment to excellence and progress in pork production in China.
The new high-health nucleus farm will have a capacity of 1,200 sows and will house both maternal and terminal sire lines. It will form the foundation of a breeding infrastructure that will provide high-quality genetics for Muyuan as well as other producers in China.
The companies say the groundbreaking ceremony marks the beginning of a deep collaboration between Muyuan and Topigs Norsvin and a joint step forward in the field of modern agriculture. Both partners will strengthen each other.
Topigs Norsvin is a leading and innovative pig breeding company committed to providing high-quality genetics to customers through innovative breeding technology and research.
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Elanco completes sale of aqua business
Elanco Animal Health Incorporated (NYSE: ELAN) announced it has completed the divestiture of its aqua business to Merck Animal Health (NYSE: MRK) for approximately $1.3 billion in cash, with approximately $1.05-$1.1 billion in net proceeds available for debt paydown in the third quarter of 2024.The successful completion of this transaction enables the company to pay down term loan debt on a pro-rata basis per the terms of the company's credit agreements.Read more
Biden-Harris administration announces proposed rule to protect workers from extreme heat
The U.S. Department of Labor has released a proposed rule with the goal of protecting millions of workers from the significant health risks of extreme heat. If finalized, the proposed rule would help protect approximately 36 million workers in indoor and outdoor work settings and substantially reduce heat injuries, illnesses and deaths in the workplace.
Heat is the leading cause of weather-related deaths in the U.S. Excessive workplace heat can lead to heat stroke and even death. While heat hazards impact workers in many industries, workers of color have a higher likelihood of working in jobs with hazardous heat exposure.
“Every worker should come home safe and healthy at the end of the day, which is why the Biden-Harris administration is taking this significant step to protect workers from the dangers posed by extreme heat,” said Acting Secretary of Labor Julie Su. “As the most pro-worker administration in history, we are committed to ensuring that those doing difficult work in some of our economy’s most critical sectors are valued and kept safe in the workplace.”
The proposed rule would require employers to develop an injury and illness prevention plan to control heat hazards in workplaces affected by excessive heat. Among other things, the plan would require employers to evaluate heat risks and — when heat increases risks to workers — implement requirements for drinking water, rest breaks and control of indoor heat. It would also require a plan to protect new or returning workers unaccustomed to working in high heat conditions.
“Workers all over the country are passing out, suffering heat stroke and dying from heat exposure from just doing their jobs, and something must be done to protect them,” said Assistant Secretary for Occupational Safety and Health Doug Parker. “Today’s proposal is an important next step in the process to receive public input to craft a ‘win-win’ final rule that protects workers while being practical and workable for employers.”
Employers would also be required to provide training, have procedures to respond if a worker is experiencing signs and symptoms of a heat-related illness, and take immediate action to help a worker experiencing signs and symptoms of a heat emergency.
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