epa

EPA Ending “Sue and Settle”

Dan Environment, Industry News Release, Legislative

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Scott Pruitt is touting a directive he signed this week to end the EPA’s so-called “sue and settle” strategy, a practice agriculture groups opposed. Pruitt issued an Agency-wide directive Monday to end the practice, a move he says means “the days of regulation through litigation are over.” Pruitt said the agency would “no longer go …

desantis

More than 2,500 Acres of Environmentally Sensitive Okeechobee Ranch Preserved

Dan Environment, Florida, Industry News Release

The Governor and Cabinet approved the preservation of 2,523 acres of environmentally sensitive land within Corona Ranch in Okeechobee County through cost-effective conservation easements, which prevent future development of the land and allow agriculture operations to continue to contribute to Florida’s economy. The purchase is part of the Rural and Family Lands Protection Program, where the state partners with Florida’s …

invasive species

UF, Invasive Species Centre Draw International Crowd to Invasive Pests Conference

Dan Environment, Florida, Industry News Release

Researchers from around the world will gather at what many consider to be a perfect storm for invasive aquatic plants. With 28 ports of entry and a tropical environment, Florida ranks first among states for invasive species. Thus, 250 scientists from 13 countries will gather at the 20th International Conference on Aquatic Invasive Species from Oct. 22 to 26 in …

ncba

WOTUS Argued Before the Supreme Court

Dan Cattle, Environment, Industry News Release, Livestock, Pork, Water

The pork industry and other ag interests argued before the Supreme Court that now possibly moot lawsuits over the Obama administration Waters of the US. (WOTUS) rule should be handled at the federal district court level, not before an appellate court. The National Pork Producers Council and dozens of other agriculture groups in oral arguments before the high court, say …

epa

Weed Scientist Has Doubts Over Dicamba Restrictions Effectiveness

Dan Environment, Industry News Release

The Environmental Protection Agency last week declared dicamba under it’s “restricted use” category, but a weed scientist from Illinois has doubts the new restrictions will be beneficial. Aaron Hager, a weed scientist and professor at the University of Illinois, told Reuters: “Nothing in these new restrictions addresses volatility, and that’s still an issue.” The EPA said Friday it would classify …

epa

EPA Announced Dicamba Label Changes

Dan Environment, Industry News Release

The Environmental Protection Agency Friday announced new restrictions for dicamba-based herbicides, classifying dicamba as a restricted-use product. The EPA said that only certified pesticide applicators, or people under their supervision, will be allowed to spray dicamba. The EPA also is reducing the maximum wind speed and the hours during each day when dicamba may be sprayed and will require farmers …

desantis

Scott, Cabinet Consider Okeechobee Land Deal

Dan Cattle, Environment, Industry News Release

Gov. Rick Scott and the Florida Cabinet next week are slated to consider a $5.7 million deal that would help protect more than 2,500 acres of land in Okeechobee County. Under the proposed deal, the state would buy a conservation easement on property known as Corona Ranch. Conservation easements protect land from development, but owners typically can continue to use …

usda

USDA Suspends CRP Enrollment

Dan Environment, Industry News Release

The Department of Agriculture announced this week that it would process many pending eligible offers for enrollment in the Conservation Reserve Program. USDA also announced it would suspend accepting most new offers until later in the 2018 fiscal year. All current, eligible CRP continuous enrollment offers made through September 30th, 2017, except for those made under the Pollinator Habitat Initiative, …