EDITORIALS

The Animal Kingdom
Emanuele Bompan

From the food industry to the pet economy, from conflicts with wild species to animal testing. Humanity's relationship with other animals is full of stark contradictions that are not easily resolved, which have been the subject of much debate among our editorial staff.

The Paradox of a “Sapient” Animal
Franco Fassio

In Homo sapiens, the term “sapiens” refers to the belief that our species possesses a superior capacity for thought and reasoning compared to other life forms. But are we sure that this characteristic is a certainty and not just a possibility?

THINK TANK

So Much for So Few: The Paradox of Intensive Animal Farming

Interview with Philip Lymbery
Lucrezia Lenardon
Billions of animals confined in cages and warehouses, vast amounts of resources consumed, and an ever growing environmental impact: intensive animal farming has become a central issue in debates over sustainability and food justice. A system that, rather than feeding the planet, is depleting it.

The Global Animal Farm

Interview with Aimable Uwizeye
Emanuele Bompan

The consumption of meat and foods of animal origin shows no sign of slowing and is expected to grow by at least 6% over the next decade. Environmental sustainability, along with the prevention of zoonotic diseases, has become a key priority for FAO.

Let’s Hear Them Out!

Interview with Eva Meijer
Giorgia Marino

Finally, non-human animals are starting to be seen as political subjects, with rights, wishes, and a voice to speak up for them. There’s still a long way to go before we achieve a truly multi-species society, but at least we can start by hearing out what they have to say.

INSIGHT

Water that Nourishes: New Paths to Food Security
Lucrezia Lenardon

With integrated practices, new technologies, and a focus on sustainability, aquaculture can become a stable source of food and income for local communities, reducing waste and environmental impact. However, it requires investment, training, and resource management.

FOCUS: CIRCULAR ECONOMY

Aquaculture on the Hunt for Circular Feed

Simone Fant
Among processing waste, insect meal and algae oil, fish farming is seeking new sources of protein to meet rapidly growing demand and reduce dependence on raw materials that compete with human food.

Circular Meat: The Hidden Value in Livestock By-Products

Simone Fant

From protein flours to fertilisers, from pet food to biogas. How offal, blood, and zootechnical waste can be turned into valuable resources for various industries, reducing the environmental impact of livestock farming.

Of the Snail, Nothing is Wasted
Simone Fant

In Piedmont, a circular economy model is being developed based on sustainable snail breeding: the “Cherasco method” increases productivity by enhancing the value of every by-product in the chain.

Mussel Farming: How Much Value Lies in One Shell?

Giorgio Kaldor

Regenerating mollusc shells is possible. In Italy, the Sardinian co-op Nieddittas has developed an innovative model that combines mussel farming, aquaculture, and industrial production.

There’s a Bug on My Plate!
Giorgio Kaldor

Crickets, ants, larvae, and grasshoppers are sustainable, low-cost sources of protein. But while insects are already on the menu for 2 billion people worldwide, in Europe the challenge to win over consumers’ taste buds is still underway.

Protein Without Livestock:  The Cultured Meat and Milk Revolution

Antonella Ilaria Totaro

Cultured meat, lab-grown salmon, milk without cows: once science fiction, now a reality on the market. Amidst environmental promises, regulatory challenges, and potential nutritional benefits, the food of the future is increasingly being produced in bioreactors. Until proven otherwise.

Pet Kingdom
Emanuele Bompan

The pet economy is a billion-dollar industry that is growing rapidly and steadily worldwide. But love for animals isn’t always the primary motivation: consumerism, exhibitionism, and social media trends often fuel excesses and environmental impacts.

Not Just Tusks: The Hidden Economy of Illegal Species Trafficking

Rudi Bressa

From packaged tarantulas to “collectible” geckos, illegal wildlife trafficking runs rampant across Europe and thrives online. It is a multi-billion-dollar underground economy that threatens biodiversity and fuels increasingly sophisticated criminal networks.

Animal Testing: A Still Necessary Evil?

Giorgia Marino

Animal testing is one of the greatest dilemmas in scientific progress. Today, however, there are a number of promising technologies that could help overcome this issue. And scientists themselves are the ones increasingly demanding change.

CASE STUDIES

From Meat to Biomass: The Circular Future of Animal Husbandry
Giorgio Kaldor
Supply chain integration is the principle on which Inalca is building circularity into the animal husbandry sector: “Each processing stage opens up new products and markets, ultimately reconfiguring the very identity of the meat industry as a protein industry.”

High Altitude, High Responsibility

Giorgio Kaldor

Mountain pastures in the Alps host thousands of cows, goats, and sheep every year. But they are a fragile ecosystem, which must be preserved through the creation of strong supply chains, professional training, and health and hygiene protocols. Trentino Marketing tells the story of the “Alpeggio Project”.

Together, Plastic and People Find New Life

Maria Carla Rota
Redivivus is a Corepla-led project combining environmental sustainability, social inclusion, and creativity in juvenile prisons. The first stop is Sicily, where, through artistic workshops, plastic recycling becomes an educational and transformative gesture.

A Recycling Virtuoso: Aluminium in Italy
Elena Colombo
Almost endlessly recyclable, aluminium is a true champion of the circular economy. And Italy continues to stand out in the sector, thanks to a tried-and-tested, widespread collection and recovery system guaranteed by the CIAL Consortium.

STARTUP
by Antonella Ilaria Totaro

EpiHerd: Improving Cows’ Wellbeing and Milk Quality through Epigenomics
Collie: An App and a Collar to Manage Grazing Herds Remotely

Decentralised Circular Insect Farming with Invers

OoNee Sea Urchin Ranch: Farming Sea Urchins to Rebalance Kelp Forests

OUROBOROS
We Had Seemed to Agree That Meat Is Bad for the Environment. So Why Has It Come Back with a Bang?
Ana Birliga Sutherland
In recent years, meat production has come under increasing scrutiny for the hideous exploitation of factory farms, a mounting global health crisis, and for every environmental impact imaginable. Yet, veggie-curious diets seem to have wilted as quickly as they bloomed.

CIRCULAR FUTURES: DISPATCHES FROM TOMORROW

2054: The Protein Transition Brought New Dignity to Animals
Patrick Schröder
The year is 2054: the rise of lab-grown meat, precision fermentation, and plant-based protein innovations has reshaped food systems. And societies were forced to confront broader questions about the relationship between humans and animals.

READING MATTER
Minima Animalia
Giorgia Marino
From the new edition of Peter Singer's seminal book, “Animal Liberation Now”, to Mary Roach's brilliant essay on conflicts with wild species, to Mark Cushing's journey into the world of American pets: three perspectives on our relationship with non-human animals.