Stop subsidizing building in flood – and even lava flow – zones

It has been more than a week since Hurricane Florence made landfall in North Carolina, and flood waters are continuing to wreak havoc across the Carolinas and Virginia. While much of the destruction caused by the powerful storm was unavoidable, some of it was, and government interventions have only served to exacerbate such tragedies.

Ground beef sold at Target, Sam’s, Albertson’s recalled over E coli fears

More than 130,000 tons of ground beef sold nationwide have been recalled because of fears of E. coli contamination. Cargill Meat Solutions issued the recall of ground beef products made from the chuck portion of a carcass that may be contaminated with Escherichia coli O26, the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced.

Court Shuts Down Offshore Aquaculture in Gulf of Mexico

Today, Center for Food Safety, representing a coalition of fishing and public interest groups, won their lawsuit challenging the Department of Commerce's new federal rules that would have permitted, for the first time, industrial aquaculture offshore in U.S. federal waters. "This is a landmark victory for protecting our oceans, for fishing communities and conservationists," said George Kimbrell, CFS Legal Director and lead counsel in the case.

Analysis of Water Contamination at Military Sites Finds Health Risks…

A Union of Concerned Scientists analysis released today highlights the significant health risks posed to military families and communities by a class of synthetic chemicals found in firefighting foam, nonstick cookware and other products. Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances are long-lasting compounds known to accumulate in the human body and environment, including water supplies.

Federal appeals court overturns Tennessee coal ash cleanup order

A three-judge panel of the US Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit [official website] on Monday reversed [opinion, PDF] a district court order that required the Tennessee Valley Authority [official website] to dig up and remove a large amount of coal ash at one of its power plants, holding that the Clean Water Act [materials] does not regulate pollutants that reach navigable waters through groundwater. The appeal concerned a US District Court for the Middle District of Tennessee [official website] order requiring the TVA to "fully excavate" the coal ash ponds of its Gallatin Fossil Plant.

Relocating Two USDA Agencies Remains Controversial

RELOCATING TWO USDA AGENCIES REMAINS CONTROVERSIAL Sep. 25, 2018 Source: USDA news release A bipartisan trio of former top USDA research officials joined forces during a webinar on Thursday to deliver a unified message for Congress: Stop USDA from moving the Economic Research Service and the National Institute of Food and Agriculture - at least for now, reports Pro Ag's Helena Bottemiller Evich. The officials, whose tenures spanned the Clinton, George W. Bush and Obama administrations, said lawmakers should hold oversight hearings and halt the planned moves until a review can be conducted by an outside entity, such as the GAO.

California urges Trump to drop plan for weaker fuel standard

California officials demanded Monday that the Trump administration back off a plan to weaken national fuel economy standards aimed at reducing car emissions and saving people money at the pump, saying the proposed rollback would damage people's health and exacerbate climate change. Looming over the administration's proposal is the possibility that the state, which has become a key leader on climate change as Trump has moved to dismantle Obama-era environmental rules, could set its own separate fuel standard that could roil the auto industry.

Auto trade group says new fuel standards won’t work

A large auto industry trade group isn't stating explicitly that it favors freezing federal gas mileage requirements at the 2021 level, but it's says the current plan won't work. In testimony prepared for a public hearing Monday in Fresno, the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers said customers aren't buying more efficient vehicles.

Study provides evidence of beta lactamase producing, antimicrobial…

A new study using antimicrobial susceptibility testing and whole genome sequencing to test extended spectrum beta lactamase producing E. coli isolated from cattle for food production and from various retail meat products has shown that all were resistant to at least three antimicrobial classes. They also carried various types of CTX-M type ESBL genes, which are increasingly common in clinical patients worldwide and whose presence in food-producing animals and retail meat supplies might contribute to a greater incidence of infections.

Some farmers worry Trump’s bailout checks won’t be enough

Farmers across the United States will soon begin receiving government checks as part of a billion-dollar bailout to buoy growers experiencing financial strain from President Donald Trump's trade disputes with China. But even those poised for big payouts worry it won't be enough.

Emerald Ash Borer Information Session

Officials from the DACF Maine Forest Service and Division of Animal and Plant Health, United States Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, and USDA Forest Service will hold an information session in Lebanon, ME on Monday, October 1st, 2018 starting at 6:30 pm, at the Lebanon Elementary School, 65 Upper Guinea Rd, Lebanon, ME. The purpose of the public meeting is to provide background information on the insect; an update on the response to the detection of emerald ash borer; and discuss impacts on movement of wood products.

Farmers worry bailout won’t be enough Updated at

Farmers across the United States will soon begin receiving government checks as part of a billion-dollar bailout to buoy growers experiencing financial strain from President Donald Trump's trade disputes with China. But even those poised for big payouts worry it won't be enough.

Senate Foreign Relations Committee Votes Unanimously to Support Nomination of Hoosier Kip Tom

U.S. Senators Todd Young and Joe Donnelly last week announced that the Senate Foreign Relations Committee voted unanimously to advance the nomination of Mr. Kip Tom of Leesburg, Indiana . Mr. Tom is nominated to be Ambassador and U.S. Representative to the United Nations Agencies for Food and Agriculture.

As aid checks go out, farmers worry bailout won’t be enough

Farmers across the United States will soon begin receiving government checks as part of a billion-dollar bailout to buoy growers experiencing financial strain from President Donald Trump's trade disputes with China. But even those poised for big payouts worry it won't be enough.