Finally, U.S. lists biotechnology and ‘agricultural industrial base’ as national security interests
President Biden directed the Treasury-led committee that scrutinizes foreign investment in America to consider the national security impact any deals would have on U.S. technological leadership, including biotechnology and “elements of the agricultural industrial base that have implications for food security.” The executive order was issued amid rising concerns about Chinese purchases of U.S. land and companies.
Make school lunches free again, say House Democrats
Nearly one of every four Democrats in the House signed a letter to congressional leaders on Thursday, asking for a return to universal free school lunches and breakfasts.
TODAY’S QUICK HITS
Court curtails California water limits: An appeals court ruled that California lacks the authority to interfere with so-called “senior” water rights holders and curtail their diversions of water from rivers, complicating the state’s efforts to deal with its historic drought. (Sacramento Bee)
QR codes won’t fly for GMOs: A U.S. District Court ruled that the USDA’s decision to allow genetically engineered foods to be labeled with only a “QR” code was unlawful, and that the agency must include additional disclosure options with those foods. (Center for Food Safety)
Forest-focused carbon project: The USDA is funding a major effort to store more carbon in New England’s forests that will include large commercial producers as well as small woodlot owners. (AP)
Ukraine grain storage hit: Russia has destroyed, damaged, or seized control of 14 percent of Ukraine’s crop storage capacity since invading in February, jeopardizing the global food supply and threatening future harvests. (Bloomberg)
Swiss to vote on factory farms: Switzerland will vote next week on whether to ban factory farming as part of an initiative that also demands that the dignity of farm animals be constitutionally protected. (Vegconomist)
