CDFA has discovered sampling errors in the Department of Pesticide Regulation’s ambient air monitoring program. Correcting the data in a follow-up analysis, DPR identified three more spikes in 1,3-D concentrations in 2018 and 2022 that exceeded the safe threshold. 

DPR enacted stricter mitigation requirements for the fumigant in 2022 based on previous spikes. The department is in the process of approving another, more stringent regulation for protecting workers. 

According to DPR, the errors do not impact the scientific analysis that informed the regulations. Yet the department is reevaluating its approach to the proposed regulation as it considers public comments. 


Delta tunnel gains key permit 

The Newsom administration has secured an incidental take permit for the Delta Conveyance Project. Gaining the green light for its environmental plan pushes the Department of Water Resources past a critical hurdle in developing the project. 

During the construction phase, DWR plans to minimize impacts to endangered species by setting up fences, educating workers and limiting operations during breeding and migration periods. 

With 17 of its member agencies investing in the project, the State Water Contractors applauded the Department of Fish and Wildlife’s decision to grant the permit. General Manager Jennifer Pierre pointed out that delaying the project further would lead to $1 million in additional costs per day. Worse, it would extend the risk of a major disruption to the state’s central water supply from earthquakes and sea level rise. 

But: Restore the Delta, a staunch opponent of the tunnel, disputed the project as a climate-resilient solution and called it a costly boondoggle. The environmental group has pushed forward a conspiracy theory that Gov. Gavin Newsom has struck a backroom deal with President Donald Trump “to pump the Delta dry.” 

   It’s easy to be “in the know” about what’s happening in Washington, D.C. Sign up for a FREE month of  Agri-Pulse news! Simply click here

Trump administration to release avian flu plan 

The Trump administration is preparing a plan for combatting avian flu that will move away from depopulating entire infected flocks and rely instead on “biosecurity and medication” to contain outbreaks, says President Donald Trump’s top economic adviser. 

Kevin Hassett, director of the National Economic Council, said on CBS’ Face the Nation Sunday that he has been working on the plan with Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins and “all the best people in government, including academics around the country and around the world.” 

Read our full report at Agri-Pulse.com. 


EU condemns US reciprocal tariff plan, mulls food import curbs 

The European Union says the Trump administration’s reciprocal tariff proposal is unjustified and has vowed to respond “firmly and immediately” to any new duties. 

Related Articles

Trump last week directed his administration to study reciprocal tariffs that would raise duties on imports from countries with tariff rates higher than those in the U.S. In a statement published Friday, the European Commission, the EU’s governing body, said such a move would be “a step in the wrong direction.” 

“The EU will react firmly and immediately against unjustified barriers to free and fair trade, including when tariffs are used to challenge legal and non-discriminatory policies,” the statement reads. 

Take note: The Financial Times reported on Saturday that the EU is weighing banning imports of food and ag products that have been treated by pesticides banned domestically. A 2019 study from the Center for Biological Diversity finds that the U.S. allows some 72 pesticides that are banned or being phased out in the EU. 

Some member states have previously called for import restrictions that more closely match domestic pesticide limits, but the commission has demurred over concerns that such a move would violate World Trade Organization rules. 

Read our full report at Agri-Pulse.com. 


MAHA, DOGE come to USDA 

The impacts of Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency on USDA may be coming into focus at the agency. Fresh after her swearing-in as USDA secretary, Brooke Rollins told reporters she “welcomed” DOGE into the department. 

She said it would be beneficial to have DOGE analyzing SNAP and other USDA nutrition programs to ensure their success, particularly given the significant growth in SNAP participation.  

“Are we really giving people a hand-up or is it instead a handout?” Rollins asked of SNAP. 

She also said she wants HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s input on the program. Rollins said she looks forward to working with Kennedy to determine if SNAP is offering the “healthiest choices” and echoed comments from those in the Make America Healthy Again space questioning whether taxpayer money should used be on sodas and unhealthy foods.  

By the way: On her first full day at USDA on Friday, Rollins also sent a letter to states and local governments encouraging them to participate in pilot programs to reform SNAP. She laid out her vision for federal nutrition programs, including tighter work requirements and “improving federal dietary policy to align with science, not politics.”  

Read about mass firings striking USDA at Agri-Pulse.com. 


Final word:

“California needs to address the problem instead of just treating symptoms.” — GOP Asm. David Tangipa of Fresno, disparaging Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara’s approval of a $1 billion bailout for the California FAIR Plan. The decision allows insurance companies to pass a portion of the costs for the LA wildfires on to customers.