Cornucopia’s Take: Senator Debbie Stabenow of Michigan helped the Trump administration kill the proposed Organic Livestock and Poultry Practices rule earlier this year. Stabenow has received almost $30,000 from the behemoth “organic” egg producer Herbruck’s, a massive confinement operation that uses enclosed porches rather than allowing the birds real outdoor access. View images of their… Read more »
Search Results for: trump
Unchartered Waters
Will the Trump/Perdue USDA Defend or Kill Organics? [This article was previously published in the spring issue of The Cultivator, Cornucopia’s quarterly newsletter.] by Mark Kastel, Codirector at The Cornucopia Institute USDA Source: Adobe Stock President Trump named former Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue as his pick to head up what President Lincoln called “the People’s Department”—the U.S. Department… Read more »
Seven State Attorneys General Mount Legal Challenge to EPA for not Banning Chlorpyrifos
Cornucopia’s Take: EPA scientists found that the pesticide chlorpyrifos, used in the production of many fruits and vegetables, is dangerous for children’s health and brain development. Trump’s EPA has decided not to ban the chemical which is commonly used by Big Ag. Seven Attorneys General, led by New York’s AG, have decided to challenge this… Read more »
USDA’s Historic Role Doing Research and Educating the Farm Community on Hold?
Cornucopia’s Take: The historic role of the USDA, doing research to benefit farmers and society, and then disseminating that in the agricultural community, looks to be in jeopardy in an early, puzzling, move under the Trump administration. Stay tuned for further analysis and developments… USDA science researchers ordered to stop publishing news releases, other documents… Read more »
Organic Animal Welfare Thrown Out by Trump Administration
Cornucopia’s Take: For over seven years, organic farmers and advocates have worked to improve organic animal welfare. While Cornucopia thought the proposal was weak, it was still withdrawn by the USDA in response to concerns raised by the giant confinement egg production operations. And the withdrawal raises huge questions about the future of organic regulations… Read more »
Pay to Play?
Cornucopia’s Take: Dow Chemical’s CEO has given money to President Trump and continues to advise him. Trump’s EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt announced last month he intends to reverse a proposed ban on the Dow pesticide, chlorpyrifos, found to hinder brain development in children. Chlorpyrifos is not allowed in organic agriculture. AP Exclusive: Pesticide Maker Tries… Read more »
U.S. Delegation Puts Infant Formula Interests Ahead of Children’s Health
Why would a farm policy research group report on infant formula??? Prior to 2011, Martek Biosciences had been selling—illegally—their algae-based DHA oil for use in “organic” infant formula and Horizon milk. After a legal complaint it was determined that the material was not on the National List of substances approved for use in organics. Miles… Read more »
USDA Budget Causes Deep Concerns
Cornucopia’s Take: It looks like both conservative and liberal farm groups are afraid that the proposed Trump administration budget could eviscerate the USDA. Agriculture leaders slam Trump’s USDA budget cut proposal Reuters by Karl Plume and P.J. Huffstutter House Agriculture Committee Chairman Michael Conaway Source: TX Military Department Agriculture leaders including lawmakers from President Donald Trump’s… Read more »
Uncharted Waters: Will the Trump/Perdue USDA Defend or Kill Organics?
by Mark Kastel Codirector at The Cornucopia Institute You might have heard President-elect Trump has just announced former Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue as his pick to head up what President Lincoln called “the People’s Department” — the United States Department of Agriculture. Sonny Perdue Source: Bruce Tuten Perdue (no relation to the giant Perdue poultry company) holds… Read more »
USDA “Gag Order” Rescinded
Cornucopia’s Take: The USDA memo sent yesterday to cease publication of outward facing documents has been rescinded, and appears to have been a poorly expressed version of an order from the new administration. Cornucopia is standing by, and will engage with the new Secretary of Agriculture as he unfolds new policy. USDA scrambles to ease… Read more »
