Agriculture

"Decision To Axe Advisory Groups Could Spell Trouble For US Food Safety"

"A Trump administration move to axe key food safety advisory committees could leave the public more vulnerable to food-borne illnesses, critics fear, particularly alongside current legislative efforts to undermine proposed safety regulations on food processors."

Source: The New Lede, 03/17/2025
April 13, 2025

DEADLINE: East-West Center's Jefferson Fellowships

The East-West Center's Jefferson Fellowships comprise a three-week reporting and study tour with the goal of leveraging news media to enhance public understanding of cultures, issues, and trends in the Indo-Pacific region. 2025 theme is The Future of Food Security: Lessons from Southeast Asia. Deadline: Apr 13.

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Ducks, Once A Conservation Bright Spot, Now Declining In US: New Report

"At least 112 North American bird species have lost more than half their populations in the past 50 years, according to a new report published Thursday. Among the birds showing the steepest declines are Allen’s hummingbirds, Florida scrub jays, golden-cheeked warblers, tricolored blackbirds and yellow-billed magpies."

Source: AP, 03/14/2025

"EPA Likely To Move To Further Limit Federal Protections For Wetlands"

"The Trump administration on Wednesday announced it will reconsider the reach of the nation’s bedrock clean water law and likely further limit the wetlands it covers, building on a Supreme Court decision two years ago that removed federal protections for significant areas."

Source: AP, 03/13/2025

Florida State Rules Concentrate Toxic Smoke in Underserved Communities

"Growing research suggests that “black snow,” a byproduct of the sugarcane harvest, is harming residents’ health. The politically powerful sugar growers say the air quality meets standards."

Source: Inside Climate News, 03/11/2025

"The Environmental Toll Of The M23 Conflict In Eastern DRC (Analysis)"

"The escalating armed conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has had significant — and overlooked — environmental impacts. The rate of tree cover loss in Kahuzi-Biega and Virunga National Parks has sharply increased since the conflict reignited in late 2021."

Source: Mongabay, 03/10/2025

The Polar Vortex Portends … the Planting of Seeds?

While extreme cold has made much news this winter, environmental journalists have another way into climate-related stories as spring approaches — through gardening. That’s because this time of year, gardeners are already buying and nursing seeds in readiness for planting. Ideas for reporting the topic, including a government plant hardiness zone map that offers a window into the climate change story, from the latest TipSheet.

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Contamination Fears Drive Push To Remake California Cannabis Agency

"After a year of product tests that show pesticides in California cannabis products, regulators have yet to update standards. Santa Cruz County commissioners say the delay warrants a “public health emergency” and shifting responsibility to other state agencies."

Source: LA Times, 03/07/2025

Opinion: "H5N1 Is Spreading. America Is Not Ready."

"With egg prices spiking due to bird flu, Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins announced steps last week to control the H5N1 virus, such as increasing financial relief for farmers with affected flocks and exploring vaccines and therapeutics for chickens. While these steps might help stabilize the egg supply in the short term, they’re insufficient for one simple reason: Chickens are not the only animals affected by this disease."

Source: Washington Post, 03/05/2025

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