Our Recent Food and Agriculture Accomplishments
UCS spurred progress on antibiotic overuse in agriculture, helped win the public a voice in decisions on genetically engineered food, and highlighted the connection between agriculture and global warming.
Generated momentum to stop the unwise use of antibiotics in livestock.
A decade ago, UCS estimated that the amount of antibiotics used by livestock producers to compensate for unhealthy conditions was about eight times that prescribed by doctors, contributing greatly to the rise of drug-resistant disease. In 2010 a Food and Drug Administration (FDA) report on this practice—required by a law UCS helped pass—corroborated our analysis. Meanwhile, UCS and our allies drew attention to the problem by persuading the House Energy and Commerce Committee to hold a hearing that increased support among legislators for action, and by generating 180,000 letters that led the FDA to state it will address the problem in forthcoming regulations.
Insisted that scientists and the public have input on genetically engineered food.
After meeting with UCS, the FDA agreed to release information and allow public comment on its pending decision about the future of genetically engineered salmon—the first such animal proposed for sale as food.
Engaged new allies in the fight against global warming.
UCS reached out to gardeners across the country with our report The Climate-Friendly Gardener, which describes the complex relationship between agriculture and global warming and offers tips for reducing heat-trapping emissions in our backyards.
Support our work.
UCS has been a leader in science-based advocacy for safer, more sustainable food production. You can help support this work:
