News

Farm country critics balk at carbon capture projects, citing health risks of “grand experiment”

Julie Fosdick’s farm in Logan County, Illinois, has been in the family for almost 200 years, but it wasn’t until recently that it started attracting attention for its potential to make other people money. With 200 acres of mostly corn and soybeans that she manages for her four siblings, she’s drawn “a constant barrage” of offers from people interested in populating her land with solar panels or wind turbines.

Health advocates demand federal action in nitrate “health emergency”

More than 80 health and environmental groups are calling on federal agencies to use emergency powers to protect Americans from a “public health emergency” driven by industrial farming practices that are dangerously polluting drinking water.

Controversial Farm Bill measure targeting state animal laws heads to Senate showdown

Animal welfare advocates are preparing for a fight in the US Senate where the new Farm Bill will be taken up in the next couple months, bringing with it a contentious provision that would undo state measures to protect livestock.

A pesticide so toxic it’s banned in over 70 countries -but plants in the South are releasing it into the air

WAYNESBORO, Miss. — Wayne County, Mississippi, in a quiet southeast corner of the state, is home to about 20,000 people surrounded by forest and farmland. But Wayne distinguishes itself in two ways: it is home to a Sipcam Agro plant that processes the toxic herbicide paraquat. Within the US, the plant is the largest single emitter of paraquat.

US judge calls proposed Bayer Roundup settlement a “filthy” deal

In a tense hearing on Thursday, a federal judge who has been overseeing thousands of cases in nationwide Roundup litigation expressed scathing criticism of a proposed class action settlement that Roundup maker Bayer is pushing forward in a Missouri court.

In a MAHA win, House passes Farm Bill stripped of language that would have protected pesticide companies

Federal lawmakers on Thursday passed the House version of the Farm Bill, removing controversial language that would have provided some protections for pesticide companies facing lawsuits over alleged health harms.

No safe bets – Supreme Court glyphosate case seen too close to call

Monday’s Supreme Court hearing over a federal law governing pesticide regulations left observers largely unsure how the court will rule in the case involving the former Monsanto company and the herbicide glyphosate, with many seeing the ultimate decision as too close to call.

An industry-backed “Trojan horse” bill would trample state food safety laws, critics warn

A federal bill that would preempt hundreds of state food safety laws would weaken protections for consumers from toxic chemicals, critics warn even as backers of the bill argue it would lower food costs and ease supply chain burdens.

Supreme Court justices weigh Monsanto bid to block warning lawsuits

Members of the US Supreme Court peppered lawyers for the former Monsanto Co. with a barrage of questions over pesticide regulation on Monday, wrestling over whether federal law preempts state actions that permit consumers to sue companies for failing to warn of product risks such as cancer.

Q&A: Former EPA official weighs in on critical Supreme Court hearing on pesticide law

A US Supreme Court hearing that will take up the thorny question of pesticide regulation on Monday is sparking heated debate over the role of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) when it comes to protecting consumers from harm.