Today, the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) released their official rules revising federal regulation of genetically engineered (GE) organisms. Under the new federal rules, USDA has significantly reduced its regulatory responsibility for GE organisms.

Earlier this month, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency approved the release of millions of genetically engineered (GE) mosquitoes in Monroe County, Florida and Harris County, Texas.

A coalition of 68 farmer, environmental, and antitrust groups across the country sent a letter to Treasury Secretary Steven T. Mnuchin today, urging the U.S. Department of the Treasury to ensure that pandemic relief funds do not lead to further consolidation of the food and agriculture industry.

Senate negotiators reached a deal on a $2 trillion coronavirus stimulus bill early this morning. Although concessions were made regarding Leader McConnell’s $425 billion corporate slush fund, the oversight and guardrails remain insufficient. 

The Maryland General Assembly passed S.B. 300 today, making Maryland the fourth state to ban Dow’s brain-damaging pesticide.

Environmental groups Amazon Watch and Friends of the Earth released an analysis today of BlackRock’s newly released statement on its engagement with agribusiness – the second leading driver of the climate crisis after fossil fuels. The analysis highlights weaknesses in BlackRock’s approach to agribusiness, including the company’s failure to explain how it will adhere to international human rights norms and hold companies accountable.

Corteva Agriscience, the main manufacturer of chlorpyrifos, a pesticide linked to brain damage in children, announced today that they will stop production of the pesticide by the end of the year.

Senator Clarence Lam (D-Howard County) and Delegate Jim Gilchrist (D-Montgomery County) introduced first-of-its-kind state legislation this week to set a target of reducing emissions from the food the state and its public universities procure by 25% by 2030.

Governor Andrew Cuomo (D-N.Y.) today directed the New York Department of Environmental Conservation to take action to ban the use of chlorpyrifos. With the governor’s action, New York has joined Hawai’i and California in outlawing the use of the neurotoxic pesticide.

Rite Aid (NYSE: RAD) has released a pollinator health policy aimed at encouraging its suppliers to phase out the use of pollinator-toxic pesticides: glyphosate, neonicotinoids and organophosphates, including chlorpyrifos.