(The Center Square) – Nebraska Governor Jim Pillen praised U.S. Representative Mike Flood, R-Nebraska, for introducing a resolution condemning the United Nations (UN) Food Strategy released at the COP28:
Pillen said the UN strategy is bad for his state.“I appreciate Congressman Flood’s leadership on this very important issue,” Pillen said. “The United Nations’ radical attack on agriculture undermines the livelihoods of Nebraska farmers and ranchers as well as those in other states where agriculture is an economic driver. Anti-agriculture activism damages the world’s food system and hurts the hungry. “In Nebraska, our farmers and ranchers raise their products using sustainable methods, designed to protect the land and resources on which they rely,” a release said. “I urge the House of Representatives to pass Congressman Flood’s resolution, recognizing Nebraska’s collective role in feeding the world and saving the planet.”The Food & Agriculture Organization report released this past weekend at COP28 contained a few provisions that are controversial for states like Nebraska.The report called for countries to revamp their farm subsidies to encourage healthier eating, prevent overgrazing of livestock and food waste. It also encouraged parsing back food subsidies on deforested land. Additionally, the report backed sugar taxes — which would apply to high-fructose corn syrup. Nebraska is the third-largest corn producer in the United States, according to World Population Review. Plus, the report calls for the promotion of plant-based meat alternatives, including by allowing them to be marketed as meat products. Nebraska is among the top states in the country for red meat production, according to the Nebraska Beef Council.