Reinstate organic livestock rule, OTA asks judge
Warning that organic egg farmers face unfair competition daily, the Organic Trade Association asked a federal judge to order the USDA to reinstate a 2017 regulation setting welfare standards for organic livestock. The 2017 regulation said enclosed porches, used by some egg producers, do not satisfy the organic agriculture requirement to provide daily access to the outdoors for livestock.
Smithfield exaggerated meat-supply risk of pandemic, says lawsuit
Pork processor Smithfield Foods fanned fears of a meat shortage during the pandemic and failed to adequately protect its workers from Covid-19 while fattening its profits, charged the consumer group Food & Water Watch in a lawsuit.
Today’s Quick Hits
Bundy for governor: Anti-government leader and rancher Ammon Bundy, a key figure in the armed takeover of a federal wildlife refuge in 2016, is running for the Republican nomination for governor in Idaho in a field that includes incumbent Brad Little and Lt. Gov. Janice McGeachin. (The Hill)
Global school meals: The United States, which donated $220 million in agricultural commodities for school food programs in poor nations last year, will join a global coalition to improve the nutrition and education of vulnerable children worldwide in conjunction with the UN Food Systems Summit in September. (USDA)
Big soy sale: In its first major purchase of U.S. grain in a month, China bought 336,000 tonnes (12.3 million bushels) of soybeans worth $163 million for delivery in the marketing year that opens on Sept. 1.(USDA)
Precision ag deal: CNH Industrial, the second-largest farm equipment manufacturer in the world, said it would buy Raven Industries, a specialist in precision agriculture technology, for $2.1 billion to broaden its “innovation capabilities in autonomous and precision agriculture technology. (CNH)
EU climate flop: The EU spent $1.2 billion in farm subsidies since 2014 in the name of climate-friendly practices, but it “had little impact on agricultural emissions,” said the European Court of Auditors. (Reuters)
