Groups sue Oregon over new CAFO permit
Four environmental and food advocacy groups sued Oregon regulators last week alleging that the state’s new water quality permits for large-scale animal farms fail to protect waterways and do not include adequate monitoring.
Veterinarians press Congress to preserve state animal welfare laws
More than 700 US veterinarians are asking Congress to leave out an industry-backed provision from the Farm Bill that would preempt states from having stricter animal welfare laws than other states.
Study says eating less meat could slash emissions. Americans are eating more than ever.
A global shift to mostly plant-based diets with minimal processed foods and red meat, coupled with a large decrease in food waste, would decrease greenhouse gas emissions by more than 85% by 2050 compared to 2020 agricultural emissions, according to a new study.
Iowa livestock boom outpaces oversight as manure pollution grows, analysis finds
The number of large, concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs) in Iowa increased 13% over the past six years, according to a new report. It’s a mounting problem in a state that generates more than 100 million tons of manure annually, contributing to persistent water pollution and health problems.
Court narrows meat industry lawsuit over California’s animal welfare law
A US district judge this week allowed one argument in a meatpacking company’s lawsuit against California over the state’s animal welfare law to proceed, while dismissing other aspects of the company’s argument.
USDA to remove rules protecting livestock farmers from discrimination and deception
The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced last week it aims to rescind a series of Biden-era rules that were designed to protect farmers from any unfair practices by the large meat companies that dominate the market.
Lax oversight of hog CAFOs harms endangered species, study finds
Large concentrated hog farms that send manure contamination into local waterways not only impact human health but threaten the existence of more than a dozen endangered species, according to a new study.
“Do your job” – EPA petitioned to add warnings to pesticides linked to cancer
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) should require cancer warnings on all pesticide products containing ingredients the agency has found show evidence of carcinogenicity, according to an emergency petition filed Wednesday by the Center for Biological Diversity, an environmental health advocacy group.
Scientists say 4th of July heatwave was “virtually impossible” without fossil fuels
This year’s Fourth of July celebrations were marked by record-setting temperatures and event cancellations due to extreme heat. A group of scientists say such temperatures would have been unheard of in a pre-industrial world, before the advent of fossil fuels.
Manure digesters spur dairy farm expansion in California, study finds
Expansion at California dairy farms that tap into state and federal incentives to build digesters that turn manure into gas wipes out an estimated 9% of the farms’ purported greenhouse gas reductions, according to a new pre-print study.