Michigan Passes Factory Farm Reform (Effective 2019)

Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm recently signed a bill into law that phases out veal crates for calves within three years, and battery cages for laying hens and gestation crates for breeding sows within ten years. The law prohibits a Michigan farm operator or owner from...

New York "PHARMS" Serve Up Adulterated Meat

Last January, Papas Dairy in North Bangor, New York received a letter from the Public Health Service of the Food and Drug Administration's New York District Office in Buffalo, New York.  Papas Dairy is a dairy CAFO, registered with New York State's DEC that maintains...

The "Animal PHARM" - Antibiotic Farming in America

An estimated 70% of the antibiotics and other microbial drugs used in the United States are fed to farm animals for non-therapeutic purposes, including (i) growth promotion; and (ii) compensation for crowded, unsanitary, and stressful farming and transportation conditions....

New York Assembly Bill 8163 would ban farm animal cruelty in NY

Proposed in May of 2009, and sitting in the Agriculture Committee of the New York Assembly, AB8163 if passed, will phase-out pig gestation crates, veal crates and hen battery cages by 2015, and it would prohibitsany person from tethering or confining any pig during...

Restaurant Industry Successes in Menu Board/Calorie Posting Wars

Industry Successes in Menu Board/Calorie Posting WarsOhio Prempts Local ActionIn 2005, Ohio proposed HB423. The bill would have required restaurants that are part of a chain having 10 or more locations nationally and 5 or more locations in Ohio, to list calories, saturated...

Rapid Growth In Genetically Engineered Crops Continues; 92% of Planted Soybea...

According to the USDA’s Economic Research Service, U.S. farmers have rapidly taken to planting genetically engineered (GE) soybeans, cotton, and corn with herbicide tolerance and/or insect resistance traits.In the U.S., Herbicide Tolerant (HT) soybean adoption has expanded...

Additional Inspections Find More Residual Drugs In Slaughtered Farm Animals

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) conducted an investigation of Red Arrow Dairy located at 69444 County Road 687 in Hartford, MI 49057, and found Red Arrow offered for sale an animal for slaughter as food that was adulterated. United States Department of...

Philadelphia Passes Tough New Labeling Requirements for Chain Restaurant Menu...

Beginning January 1, 2010, chain restaurants in Philadelphia will have to disclose calorie counts on menu boards, and calories, saturated and trans fat, sodium and carbohydrates on printed menus. Chain restaurants include convenience stores, delis, bakeries, cookie counters,...

Deflating the Power of Genetically Engineered Seed Companies, and Restoring ...

Agribusiness and biotechnology companies have rapidly consolidated their market power through: (1) government complacency, and (2) overwhelming market clout as compared to farmers and growers. Historically, seed buyers purchased not only seeds, but also the future means of...