Cornucopia’s Take: Chlorpyrifos is a commonly used organophosphate insecticide in conventional agriculture, linked to lower IQs and levels of gray matter in children exposed prenatally. It was initially approved for use by the EPA based on industry analysis of its safety. When EPA scientists determined the analysis was problematic, EPA management ignored their concerns. In 2015,… Read more »
Search Results for: national organic program
Court Documents: Sunrise Foods International Inc. v. Sonny Perdue, in his official capacity as Secretary of Agriculture, et al. 2:18-cv-00688-JAM-EFB
Complaint for Declaratory, Injunctive, and Mandamus Relief [PDF] – 3/29/18 Exhibit A to Complaint for Declaratory, Injunctive, and Mandamus Relief [PDF] – 3/29/18 Sunrise Food’s Motion for Temporary Restraining Order [PDF] – 4/08/18 Declaration of Ron Oleynik in Support of Sunrise’s Temporary Restraining Order [PDF] – 4/08/18 Declaration of Vince Farhat in Support of Sunrise’s Temporary Restraining Order [PDF] – 4/08/18 Declaration of… Read more »
Gardener’s February To-Do List
Rodale’s Organic Life by R O L Staff Source: USDA Everything that needs to be done in the dirt this month, wherever you live. Here’s your February gardening guide for North America’s USDA Plant Hardiness Zones: 3-10. If you don’t know what zone you live in, check the map here to find out. We’ve left off zones… Read more »
Neonicotinoids Harm Beneficial Predatory Insects through Secondary Poisoning
Beyond Pesticides Deroceras reticulatum Source: Bruce Marlin A recent study looks at the detrimental effects of neonicotinoids (neonics) on molluscan herbivores and their non-target insect predators, finding that slug exposure to neonics results in the secondary poisoning of beneficial predatory beetles. The study, authored by Maggie Douglas, PhD candidate at Penn State University, was presented… Read more »
Why I Didn’t Return Monsanto’s Phone Call
Eat Drink Better by Jill Ettinger Source: Samantha Celera A few weeks ago, I received an email from a PR person identifying herself as writing on behalf of Monsanto, the multinational biotech company that’s so vilified, there’s an annual “March Against Monsanto” event. Today, the company is best/worst known for its genetically modified seeds like corn,… Read more »
In Standing Up for Big Ag, Are Universities Undercutting Their Own Researchers?
The Chronicle of Higher Education By Goldie Blumenstyk In a case before the U.S. Supreme Court this month, advocates for academic researchers are urging the justices to reverse a patent-infringement decision that has given the Monsanto Company broad authority to restrict scientists’ study of genetically modified seeds. The decision, the advocates say, not only hurts… Read more »
World Faces Tough Choices on Food
Mail & Guardian By Larry Elliot The past decade has seen the end of cheap oil, the magic growth ingredient for the global economy since World War II. Now the increase in the price of maize, wheat and soya beans in the past three months – the third spike in the past five years –… Read more »
New Index Ranks Vermont Tops in Locally Grown Food
ABC News By Lisa Rathke, Associated Press MONTPELIER, Vt. — A committed “locavore,” Robin McDermott once struggled to stock her kitchen with food grown within 100 miles of her Vermont home. She once drove 70 miles to buy beans and ordered a bulk shipment of oats from the neighboring Canadian province of Quebec. Six years… Read more »
Produce Safety Bill May Make Farmer’s Markets A Thing Of The Past
The Raleigh Telegram By Olivia Barrow RALEIGH – With the U.S. Senate preparing to overhaul the nation’s food safety laws through a bill that passed committee called the Food Safety Modernization Act of 2009 (S510), Senator Kay Hagan (D-N.C.) has co-sponsored an amendment to exempt small farmers from the added safety requirements of the bill…. Read more »
Appropriations Committee Members
The House and Senate Appropriations Committee members are listed below, alphabetized by the state they represent. Click on the names of your congressional representatives to go to their individual contact pages; send them an email with your input (sample text here). Alabama Rep. Martha Roby (AL-2) Rep. Robert Aderholt (AL-4) Sen. Richard Shelby Alaska Sen…. Read more »
