In The News
Progressive Farmer: J.R. Simplot Sued for CWA Violations
An environmental group is trying to stop an Idaho feedlot from discharging manure and other waste into the Snake River as it has without a federal discharge permit since 2012.
Politico Pro: A bad day for CAFOs
U.S. District Judge for the District of Columbia Colleen Kollar-Kotelly on Tuesday vacated a 2016 USDA rule that categorically exempted medium-sized concentrated animal feeding operations from environmental reviews before receiving…
Progressive Farmer: CAFOs Lose Environmental Exemption
Court Vacates FSA Policy Exempting Medium-Sized CAFOs From Environmental Review
Reuters: USDA rule exempting medium-sized factory farms from environmental scrutiny vacated
A federal judge on Tuesday vacated a rule that exempted medium-sized industrial livestock farms from undergoing environmental reviews before receiving government loans, after finding what she called severe problems with…
The American Prospect: Farmers Pay Big Ag to Lobby Against Them
The checkoff program, intended for marketing promotion but used as a slush fund for consolidated agricultural interests, is facing pressure for reform.
Indy Week: Federal Court Rules NC’s Ag-Gag Law is Unconstitutional
In a split decision the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals has upheld a lower court ruling that North Carolina’s “ag-gag law” is unconstitutional and infringes on free speech.
Progressive Farmer: NC ‘Ag-Gag’ Law Loses in Court
North Carolina’s “ag-gag” law was dealt a blow on Thursday, as the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit in Richmond, Virginia, ruled undercover investigations and whistleblowing are considered…
Courthouse News Service: Split appeals court strikes down part of North Carolina ‘ag-gag’ law
A split Fourth Circuit panel on Thursday struck down part of a North Carolina law that prevented animal rights advocates from conducting undercover investigations into farming practices.
Associated Press: Appeals court pulls back on N. Carolina “ag-gag” law ruling
A federal appeals court on Thursday scaled back a lower-court ruling that threw out portions of a North Carolina law designed in part to prevent undercover employees at farms and other workplaces…