From the Animals farmed series

Four powerful companies control more than 80% of the US beef market. Sarah Mock examined how the “big four” grew into behemoths and asked whether President Joe Biden will be successful in his efforts to take on the meat giants and increase competition in the industry.

Politicians in the Netherlands – which has one of Europe’s largest livestock industries and is also the EU’s biggest meat exporter – are considering radical plans to force hundreds of farmers to sell up and cut livestock numbers, to reduce damaging ammonia pollution.

Globally, 20 livestock companies are responsible for more greenhouse gas emissions than either Germany, Britain or France – and are receiving billions of dollars in financial backing in the process, according to a new report by environmental campaigners.

Sophie Kevany reported NGOs’ concerns that ships and lorries carrying livestock are being used to smuggle drugs and other contraband. And Summer Sewell revealed how an immigrant workforce is keeping America’s dairy industry going as it shifts to ever-bigger intensive units.

Hundreds of cosmetics products sold in the UK and Europe – including moisturisers, lipsticks, hair conditioner and sunscreen – contain ingredients that have been tested on animals, despite bans that outlawed such testing years ago, according to a new analysis.

On the Guardian’s Global Development site, Emma Naluyima Mugerwa and Lora Iannotti warned that growing criticism of industrial farming in the west threatens to undermine support for livestock in the developing world. “Sustainable, profitable livestock farming is a powerful option for … a way to better health and a better life,” they wrote.

Finally, farmer Chris Newman from northern Virginia talked to writer Taylor Moore as part of Guardian US’s Green Light series about why feeding people needs to be at the heart of sustainable farming. In Newman’s words: “How is it sustainable if only 1% can afford your food?”

Regards Mark