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Friday, February 7, 2025

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January jobs report: Unemployment rate falls to 4%, wages rise more than forecast; Trump signs order imposing sanctions on International Criminal Court over investigations of Israel; Ten Commandments in public schools debate reaches South Dakota; Virginia ranks among worst states for wage theft; Mexican long-nosed bat makes appearance in Arizona.

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Attorney General Pam Bondi strikes a Trump tone at the Justice Department, federal workers get more time to consider buyouts, and an unclassified email request from the White House worries CIA vets.

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During Black History Month, a new book shares how a unique partnership built 5,000 schools for Black students, anti-hunger advocates say ag communities would benefit from an expanded SNAP program, and Americans have $90 billion in unpaid medical bills.

A renewed push for EATS Act amid FL agricultural battles

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Wednesday, February 5, 2025   

A bill known as the Exposing Agricultural Trade Suppression Act failed to advance in Congress last year but food policy advocates warned it is still a looming threat to Florida's agricultural industry, food safety laws and environmental protections.

Concerns are growing the bill -- or similar efforts to limit state regulatory control -- could resurface in federal negotiations. The legislation was excluded from the most recent Farm Bill extension.

Rebecca Wolf, senior food policy analyst for the nonprofit Food and Water Watch, and other critics of the bill said it would strip Florida of its ability to regulate farming practices, endangering food safety, environmental protection and small-scale producers.

"The EATS Act would preempt state regulation of the factory farm and agribusiness industry," Wolf explained. "This includes animal welfare, consumer protection, labeling and food safety laws and regulations, and the bill is so broad that it could also jeopardize state laws that protect rural communities and preserve our environment."

The bill, introduced in response to California's Proposition 12, aimed to prevent states from enforcing agricultural regulations which could disrupt interstate commerce. Backed by major agribusiness groups, supporters argued it was necessary to maintain a unified national market. Florida lawmakers were among 171 bipartisan representatives who opposed the measure.

Wolf emphasized continued public opposition is crucial to preventing similar legislation from resurfacing in Congress. She warned for Florida, with its diverse agricultural economy, the consequences could be significant.

"When it comes to food safety, it's a really big concern right now with the avian flu, the kinds of standards in which animals are raised and a really big concern being overcrowding of animals," Wolf outlined.

Florida lawmakers have passed other controversial laws which could reshape the state's farming industry. Last May, Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a ban on lab-grown meat, citing the need to protect traditional cattle ranchers.

It is now being challenged in federal court by Upside Foods and the Institute of Justice, arguing it violates federal meat inspection laws. Their request for a preliminary injunction was denied, but they have indicated plans to appeal.


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