H.R. 7082 proposes to direct the Secretary of Agriculture to promulgate regulations requiring additional protection against COVID-19 for workers in meat processing establishments. The full text of the bill is not yet available.
This Week's Spotlights
Legislative Updates/Pending Federal Actions
Congress Considers Additional COVID-19 Protections for Meat Packing Workers
Case Law Updates/Federal Case Law Updates
Big Cat Rescue Wins Control of Tiger King Property
A federal judge has ordered Joe Exotic to give up the property occupied by the roadside zoo featured in Tiger King and to hand it over to Big Cat Rescue. This results from a lawsuit in which Big Cat Rescue claimed that Joe Exotic fraudulently transferred assets in order to shield them from Big Cat Rescue’s claims.
A federal judge has ordered Joe Exotic to give up the property occupied by the roadside zoo featured in Tiger King and to hand it over to Big Cat Rescue. This results from a lawsuit in which Big Cat Rescue claimed that Joe Exotic fraudulently transferred assets in order to shield them from Big Cat Rescue’s claims.
USDA Ordered to Promulgate AWA Regulations for Birds not Bred for Research
Sixth Circuit Rules that ESA and NEPA Requirements Do Not Apply to CWA Implementation
The Sixth Circuit has ruled that the Endangered Species Act and National Environmental Policy Act’s requirements for agency discretionary actions do not apply when an agency only exercises “judgment” over the implementation of the Clean Water Act.
The Sixth Circuit has ruled that the Endangered Species Act and National Environmental Policy Act’s requirements for agency discretionary actions do not apply when an agency only exercises “judgment” over the implementation of the Clean Water Act.
Other Updates
Trump Signs Executive Order to Waive Environmental Laws Amid Pandemic
President Trump signed an Executive Order instructing agencies to waive environmental laws to expedite federal approval of projects such as mines and pipelines amid the current economic crisis.
President Trump signed an Executive Order instructing agencies to waive environmental laws to expedite federal approval of projects such as mines and pipelines amid the current economic crisis.
Legislative Updates
Pending Federal Actions
Congress Considers Additional COVID-19 Protections for Meat Packing Workers
H.R. 7082 proposes to direct the Secretary of Agriculture to promulgate regulations requiring additional protection against COVID-19 for workers in meat processing establishments. The full text of the bill is not yet available.
H.R. 7082 proposes to direct the Secretary of Agriculture to promulgate regulations requiring additional protection against COVID-19 for workers in meat processing establishments. The full text of the bill is not yet available.
Pending State Actions
Vermont Considers Legislation to Prohibit Trade of Wild Animal Parts
Vermont H. 99 proposes to ban the sale or purchase of certain animal parts, including parts of any species of cheetah, elephant, giraffe, jaguar, leopard, lion, or whale. The bill contains exemptions for law enforcement, antiques, and musical instruments, among others.
Vermont H. 99 proposes to ban the sale or purchase of certain animal parts, including parts of any species of cheetah, elephant, giraffe, jaguar, leopard, lion, or whale. The bill contains exemptions for law enforcement, antiques, and musical instruments, among others.
Case Law Updates
Federal Case Law Updates
Big Cat Rescue Wins Control of Tiger King Property
A federal judge has ordered Joe Exotic to give up the property occupied by the roadside zoo featured in Tiger King and to hand it over to Big Cat Rescue. This results from a lawsuit in which Big Cat Rescue claimed that Joe Exotic fraudulently transferred assets in order to shield them from Big Cat Rescue’s claims.
A federal judge has ordered Joe Exotic to give up the property occupied by the roadside zoo featured in Tiger King and to hand it over to Big Cat Rescue. This results from a lawsuit in which Big Cat Rescue claimed that Joe Exotic fraudulently transferred assets in order to shield them from Big Cat Rescue’s claims.
CBD Challenges FWS’ Failure to Protect Freshwater Fish
The Center for Biological Diversity has filed suit against the Fish and Wildlife Service for failing to make a finding under the Endangered Species Act for whether the Johnson Springs Wetland Complex distinct population segment of relict dace—a freshwater fish—should be listed as threatened or endangered.
The Center for Biological Diversity has filed suit against the Fish and Wildlife Service for failing to make a finding under the Endangered Species Act for whether the Johnson Springs Wetland Complex distinct population segment of relict dace—a freshwater fish—should be listed as threatened or endangered.
USDA Ordered to Promulgate AWA Regulations for Birds not Bred for Research
Federal Grand Jury Indicts Chicken Executives for Price Fixing
The Department of Justice has announced that a federal grand jury in Colorado has returned an indictment against four executives of major chicken producers for conspiring to fix prices.
The Department of Justice has announced that a federal grand jury in Colorado has returned an indictment against four executives of major chicken producers for conspiring to fix prices.
Washington State Sues Over Tuna Price Fixing Scheme
Washington state has filed suit against Starkist, parent company Dongwon Industries, and the CEO of Bumble Bee Foods, alleging that the defendants conspired to artificially increase the price of tuna.
Washington state has filed suit against Starkist, parent company Dongwon Industries, and the CEO of Bumble Bee Foods, alleging that the defendants conspired to artificially increase the price of tuna.
Environmental Group Accuses Perdue of Exceeding Waste Limits at Slaughterhouse
Environmental group Waste Action Project has filed suit against Perdue, alleging that a Perdue slaughterhouse in Washington is exceeding waste limits in violation of both state and federal law.
Environmental group Waste Action Project has filed suit against Perdue, alleging that a Perdue slaughterhouse in Washington is exceeding waste limits in violation of both state and federal law.
Groups Challenge FDA’s Approval of New Drug for Cows Raised for Beef
The Animal Legal Defense Fund, Food & Water Watch, and Food Animal Concerns Trust have filed suit against the Food and Drug Administration, challenging the agency’s approval of a drug intended to decrease the amount of ammonia gas released from the waste produced by cows raised for beef.
The Animal Legal Defense Fund, Food & Water Watch, and Food Animal Concerns Trust have filed suit against the Food and Drug Administration, challenging the agency’s approval of a drug intended to decrease the amount of ammonia gas released from the waste produced by cows raised for beef.
Sixth Circuit Rules that ESA and NEPA Requirements Do Not Apply to CWA Implementation
The Sixth Circuit has ruled that the Endangered Species Act and National Environmental Policy Act’s requirements for agency discretionary actions do not apply when an agency only exercises “judgment” over the implementation of the Clean Water Act.
The Sixth Circuit has ruled that the Endangered Species Act and National Environmental Policy Act’s requirements for agency discretionary actions do not apply when an agency only exercises “judgment” over the implementation of the Clean Water Act.
Agency Updates
FSIS Proposes Voluntary USDA Inspection of Yak
The Food Safety and Inspection Service has proposed to include yak and other farmed Bovidae, Cervidae, and Camelidae species among the “exotic animals” eligible for voluntary USDA inspection. The agency is accepting comments on the proposed rule until July 31, 2020.
The Food Safety and Inspection Service has proposed to include yak and other farmed Bovidae, Cervidae, and Camelidae species among the “exotic animals” eligible for voluntary USDA inspection. The agency is accepting comments on the proposed rule until July 31, 2020.
Other Updates
Trump Signs Executive Order to Waive Environmental Laws Amid Pandemic
President Trump signed an Executive Order instructing agencies to waive environmental laws to expedite federal approval of projects such as mines and pipelines amid the current economic crisis.
President Trump signed an Executive Order instructing agencies to waive environmental laws to expedite federal approval of projects such as mines and pipelines amid the current economic crisis.
Trump Lifts Fishing Restrictions in Marine Monument
President Trump has lifted a fishing ban in a marine monument about 130 miles off the coast of Cape Cod.
President Trump has lifted a fishing ban in a marine monument about 130 miles off the coast of Cape Cod.