Roundtables continue on the topic of the EPA and Army Corps of Engineers Waters of the US (WOTUS) rule. In June of last year, the EPA and ACE announced their intention to …
Representatives Discuss Access to SNAP Benefits for Undocumented Immigrants
Do undocumented immigrants have access to SNAP benefits? That was a topic of discussion at the recent House Agriculture Subcommittee on Nutrition, Oversight, and Department Operations hearing on SNAP, or …
Appeals Court Classifies Bees as Fish Under Endangered Species Act
An appeals court recently reversed an earlier judgment preventing bumblebees from falling under the definition of “fish” in the California Endangered Species Act (CESA). The California Third District Court of …
DPR Hosting Public Workshops on Statewide Pesticide Notification System
The California Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR) will be hosting a series of public workshops to gather input as DPR develops a statewide pesticide application notification system. The workshops will …
Changes to Walnut Marketing Order Still Working Through the Process
The California Walnut Board (CWB) has remained actively working on adjustments to the Federal Marketing Order. CWB Director of Technical and Regulatory Affairs, Joshua Rahm said the industry efforts initially …
Ag Groups Express Concern Over Future of Pesticide Labeling
A total of 54 agricultural organizations have voiced concern regarding the possibility of a detrimental precedent being set. A letter was sent to President Joe Biden outlining concerns related to …
Some Positive News for Imidacloprid Use After Recent PREC Review
A recent decision from the Pesticide Registration and Evaluation Committee (PREC) could be a positive sign for continued use of imidacloprid in California. The subcommittee found that the presence of …
Coalition Calls for Food Safety and Nutrition Enhancements at FDA
More than two dozen organizations representing a variety of interests are encouraging improvements to food safety and nutrition protocols within in the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The groups represent …
Phase 1 NEPA Revisions Met with Criticism from Farm Groups
The Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) has finalized adjustments to portions of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). Several ag groups have raised concern about the Phase 1 NEPA revisions …
A-PLUS Act to Further Increase Meat Processing Capacity
The introduction of the A-PLUS Act is being largely supported by various industry organizations. The bipartisan Amplifying Processing of Livestock in the United States Act, known simply as the A-PLUS …
Industry Groups Encourage USDA Takeover of Gene Editing Regulations
Nearly a dozen agricultural organizations are continuing to encourage the revising of gene editing regulations. Oversight of genetically engineered food animals is currently handled by the U.S. Food and Drug …
Renewed Enforcement Discretion for Certain FSMA Requirements for Cotton
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is extending enforcement discretion for certain Food Safety Modernization Act requirements as they pertain to cotton. Because cottonseed is widely used as dairy …
New Workplan to Address Pesticide Approval Process
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will be addressing the overall pesticide approval system through a comprehensive workplan. Four overall strategies are established in the plan, with dozens of actions …
Pending Burning Restrictions Having an Impact on Vineyard Removals
Some grape growers are having to make some tough decisions about vineyards with burning restrictions coming into effect. Last year, the California Air Resources Board voted to phase out agricultural …