PROTECTING ACCESS TO ENVIRONMENTAL INFORMATION

RTKnet: Agriculture

At Long Last: EPA Releases Pesticide Use Statistics (Pesticide Action Network)

The EPA has released its statistics on pesticide use nationwide, the first such data release since the Bush administration blocked publication in 2001. Click here to learn about trends and how much and what types of pesticides are in use in the US.

(25 Feb 2011)

More Attention for USDA’s Lack of Transparency (Environmental Working Group)

"There is increasing attention on the restriction of access to government records on taxpayer funded farm subsidies reported by the Environmental Working Group...It’s crucial for government to truly be accountable by identifying the farm subsidy recipients who use a maze of co-ops, paper farms and corporate entity shell games to maximize their haul of taxpayer dollars."

(26 May 2010)

TAKE ACTION - Support Food Labeling of GMOs (Food Democracy Now)

Stand up for your right to know what's in your food and stop a sneak attack on GMO labeling. Please sign this letter to FDA and USDA.

(27 Apr 2010)

Manure Becomes Pollutant As Its Volume Grows Unmanageable (Washington Post)

"The way that modern megafarms produce it, [one activist] said, 'Manure is no longer manure. Manure is a toxic waste now.'" Another activist stated, "You know, somebody had to talk about this. It's like this dirty little secret.'"

(01 Mar 2010)

USDA Sets Higher Standard For Organic Milk Label (LA Times)

In a move to clarify consumer concerns about the integrity of the organic food label, the USDA imposed strict new standards for what kind of milk qualifies as organic: Cows must get plenty of fresh grass and spend at least four months a year grazing in pastures.

(16 Feb 2010)

"Food, Inc." Exposes Industry Secrets (PBS)

A new film, "Food, Inc.," exposes the secrets and hazards of our industrial food system.

(03 Jul 2009)

EPA Launches Protection Team to Explore Widespread Bee Deaths (U.S. EPA)

In response to the collapse of bee populations in the U.S. and other countries, EPA is expanding its investigations into the impact of pesticides on pollinators.

(03 Jul 2009)

Purity of Federal 'Organic' Label Is Questioned (Washington Post)

Pressure from large food processors is weakening the USDA organic label.

(03 Jul 2009)

EPA to Study Pesticide Impacts on Endangered Species (San Francisco Chronicle)

The EPA will study the health effects of 74 pesticides on 11 Bay-area endangered species and restrict their use to settle a lawsuit. Public comments are being accepted.

(02 Jul 2009)