World hunger rate rises quickly as global economy stutters
Nearly one in 10 people worldwide suffer from hunger, an increase of 150 million since the pandemic struck in 2020, and the numbers are sure to worsen, said the annual UN hunger report on Wednesday. “The global price spikes that we are seeing as a result of the crisis in Ukraine threaten to push countries around the world into famine,” said the leader of the World Food Program.
FDA says it will permanently streamline infant formula imports
A crash program to streamline U.S. imports of infant formula has worked so well, the FDA will make it permanent, said agency leaders on Wednesday. The program, which began in May when domestic supplies ran low, has resulted in shipments from nine countries of enough formula to fill 400 million 8-ounce bottles.
TODAY’S QUICK HITS
Deadline on treated seeds: Under a proposed consent decree, the EPA will decide by Sept. 30 whether to regulate pesticide-coated seeds as a pesticide or to dismiss a petition, demanding oversight, filed five years ago by environmental groups. (DTN/Progressive Farmer)
Growing methane emissions: Climate change is four times more influential in accelerating methane emissions than previously estimated, say scientists, with rising temperatures helping to produce more methane by, for example, speeding up microbial activity in wetlands. (Guardian)
Trump species rules vacated: A federal judge in Northern California threw out Trump administration regulations that rolled back protections and critical habitat designations for endangered or threatened species. (CBS News)
Grain prices stumble: Amid fears of a global recession, corn and soybean futures at the Chicago Board of Trade dropped to their lowest levels this year before rebounding. (Reuters)
Covid violations: Food production companies, from growers to processors, were four times more likely to be cited for violating Covid-19 safeguards than other California industries, said an analysis of state worker safety records. (California Institute for Rural Studies)
