On January 1st, new organic rules in the EU went into effect, with the goal of ensuring fair competition for farmers.
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On January 1st, new organic rules in the EU went into effect, with the goal of ensuring fair competition for farmers.
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Former Deputy Secretary of the USDA Kathleen Merrigan discusses how our country is moving in the wrong direction.
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USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack’s dismissal of the E.U. Farm to Fork Program is out of step with consumer sentiment, food justice advocacy and the latest cutting-edge research on agroecology.
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The EPA has finally acknowledged that the endocrine-disrupting pesticide atrazine and cancer-causing pesticide glyphosate are each likely to harm more than 1,000 of the nation’s most endangered plants and animals.
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A new $20 million investment from USDA’s new Organic and Transitional Education and Certification Program will assist producers who are certified organic or transitioning to organic.
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Beginning in 2019, the EPA stopped releasing crucial toxics reports. Even agency staffers have a hard time accessing them.
Read Article The EPA announced the creation of two internal scientific advisory panels after whistleblower accounts of internal corruption.
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The USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture announced an investment of over $30 million for 33 grants that support farmers and ranchers who grow and market high-quality organic food, fiber and other organic products.
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“The FDA needs to get on the ball and needs to make sure that we do what the science requires, as opposed to, what, potentially industry is asking for,” the representative from Illinois went on to say.
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A new white paper from the consumer advocacy group OrganicEye profiles the lobbyist-affiliated appointees to the National Organic Standards Board.
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A phenomenal piece of investigative journalism from The Intercept.
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The USDA announced the other day that it will take another look at the organic animal welfare rules, which were tossed out by the Trump administration.
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Jenny Lester Moffitt, a California organic family farmer, has been nominated to serve as undersecretary for marketing and regulatory programs at the USDA. A very positive development.
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Words you would never see from a leading USDA official.
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While the U.S. languishes at less than 1% of organic farmland, the European Commission has committed additional resources to reach its 25% organic goal by 2030.
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The USDA said it will dedicate at least $6 billion to help smaller-scale and socially disadvantaged farmers who were hurt by the pandemic, along with producers of organic food and other specialty crops.
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Not an encouraging sign for those of us who believe that aquaculture should not be allowed in organic in the U.S.
Read Article Sen. Bernie Sanders was the lone progressive to vote against Vilsack, citing concerns about the corporate consolidation of agriculture and the welfare of family farms.
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While the Organic Trade Association is putting its faith in USDA Secretary nominee Tom Vilsack, the Center for Food Safety has outlined 7 reasons why he should not be confirmed.
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This is the latest instance of Trump political appointees overriding the agency’s scientists.
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While her track record on organic is unclear, Bronaugh would be the first woman of color to serve in the position, has extensive ag experience and is praised for addressing the mental health of farmers and food access issues within historically marginalized communities.
Read Article If approved, the USDA would consolidate its power in reviewing the safety and efficacy of both GMO animals and food — something that should be of real concern to organic advocates.
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Senators Corey Booker (D-NJ), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) have announced The Justice for Black Farmers Act, a measure aimed at reforming the USDA and creating a land grant program to encourage a new generation of Black farmers.
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The New York Times is reporting that intense lobbying is going on behind the scenes for the USDA Secretary post. Organic advocates are pushing very hard for Rep. Marcia Fudge.
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