A long struggle over what kind of milk counts as organic is coming to a head. The U.S. Department of Agriculture recently issued draft rules that would require that the cows be on pasture at least half the year and get plenty of fresh grass. The proposals are meant to close a loophole that allows some huge feedlots to sell their milk as organic, even though their cows rarely if ever get to graze on fresh grass. Advocates for family farms and consumers say that's not what shoppers think they're buying when they pay a premium for organic milk. The public comment period on the draft rules runs through Dec. 23. ...more

November 18, 2008

Parts of the Endangered Species Act may soon be extinct. The Bush administration wants federal agencies to decide for themselves whether highways, dams, mines and other construction projects might harm endangered animals and plants. New regulations, which don't require the approval of Congress, would reduce the mandatory, independent reviews government scientists have been performing for 35 years, according to a draft first obtained by The Associated Press. ...more

August 12, 2008

The Florida Legislature took steps last spring to protect the integrity of the state's horse industry by passing legislation to prevent unfair or deceptive trade practices, and Gov. Charlie Crist signed it without hesitation. ...more

November 24, 2007