This Week's Spotlights
Case Law Updates - Federal Case Law Updates
Friends of Animals Challenges Mystic Aquarium Permit Issuance
Friends of Animals has filed suit against Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross and the National Marine Fisheries Service, claiming that the agency violated the Marine Mammal Protection Act and National Environmental Policy Act when it issued a permit for Mystic Aquarium to import five beluga whales.
Public Citizen Seeks Records on Coronavirus Impacts at Meatpacking Plants
Public Citizen has filed suit against the Department of Labor, alleging that the agency has not responded to its May request for records related to the agency’s response to the coronavirus at meatpacking plants under the Freedom of Information Act.
Cattle Group Challenges Checkoff Program
A trade association representing independent cattle producers has filed suit against the United States Department of Agriculture and Secretary Sonny Perdue, claiming the agency violated the Administrative Procedure Act by entering into Memorandums of Understanding with state beef councils in order to protect the federal beef checkoff program.
Environmental Groups Challenge EPA’s Enforcement of Cleanup Plans
A coalition of environmental groups has filed suit against the Environmental Protection Agency, claiming that the agency has failed to enforce cleanup goals in the Chesapeake Bay.
Agency Updates
FWS Proposes New ESA Critical Habitat Rule
The Fish and Wildlife Service has proposed a new rule regulating the process for excluding areas of critical habitat under section 4(b)(2) of the Endangered Species Act. The agency is accepting comments on the proposed rule until October 8, 2020.
Permit Granted to Mystic Aquarium for Import of Beluga Whales
The National Marine Fisheries Service and the National Oceanic Atmospheric Association has announced that a permit has been issued to Mystic Aquarium for the import of five beluga whales for the purposes of scientific research.
OSHA Fines Meat Companies Over Coronavirus Exposure
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration has cited Smithfield Package Meats in Sioux Falls, South Dakota and JBS in Greeley, Colorado for failing to protect their employees from COVID-19.
Academic Updates
Focusing on Fish Welfare
A new article published in Animals evaluates the state of knowledge of farmed fish welfare and proposes strategies to fill in knowledge gaps.
Case Law Updates
Federal Case Law Updates
Friends of Animals Challenges Mystic Aquarium Permit Issuance
Friends of Animals has filed suit against Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross and the National Marine Fisheries Service, claiming that the agency violated the Marine Mammal Protection Act and National Environmental Policy Act when it issued a permit for Mystic Aquarium to import five beluga whales.
Public Citizen Seeks Records on Coronavirus Impacts at Meatpacking Plants
Public Citizen has filed suit against the Department of Labor, alleging that the agency has not responded to its May request for records related to the agency’s response to the coronavirus at meatpacking plants under the Freedom of Information Act.
Cattle Group Challenges Checkoff Program
A trade association representing independent cattle producers has filed suit against the United States Department of Agriculture and Secretary Sonny Perdue, claiming the agency violated the Administrative Procedure Act by entering into Memorandums of Understanding with state beef councils in order to protect the federal beef checkoff program.
Environmental Groups Challenge EPA’s Enforcement of Cleanup Plans
A coalition of environmental groups has filed suit against the Environmental Protection Agency, claiming that the agency has failed to enforce cleanup goals in the Chesapeake Bay.
Agency Updates
FWS Proposes New ESA Critical Habitat Rule
The Fish and Wildlife Service has proposed a new rule regulating the process for excluding areas of critical habitat under section 4(b)(2) of the Endangered Species Act. The agency is accepting comments on the proposed rule until October 8, 2020.
FSIS Announces New Egg Inspection Rule
The Food Safety Inspection Service has announced it will modernize egg products inspection via a new rule. The rule has not yet been published.
Permit Granted to Mystic Aquarium for Import of Beluga Whales
The National Marine Fisheries Service and the National Oceanic Atmospheric Association has announced that a permit has been issued to Mystic Aquarium for the import of five beluga whales for the purposes of scientific research.
OSHA Fines Meat Companies Over Coronavirus Exposure
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration has cited Smithfield Package Meats in Sioux Falls, South Dakota and JBS in Greeley, Colorado for failing to protect their employees from COVID-19.
Academic Updates
Articles
Focusing on Fish Welfare
A new article published in Animals evaluates the state of knowledge of farmed fish welfare and proposes strategies to fill in knowledge gaps.