Our Soil and Water Needs a Safety Net Too
For just a little while, it looked like a great day for Iowa agriculture and the environment. On Aug. 30, delegates to the Iowa Farm Bureau annual policy conference in Des Moines passed a historic...
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We Already Gave at the (Insurance) Office
At a time when the agriculture economy is white-hot, sending government checks to mega-farms that don't need the money is indefensible. But that hasn't kept leaders of the agricultural community from...
Corn Lobby Gets Darwinian on Advanced Biofuels
By Craig Cox and Sheila Karpf The corn lobby has persistently sold misguided subsidies and mandates for corn ethanol as a bridge to the "next generation" of so-called "advanced" biofuels. The...
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has proposed that the nation's water utilities sharply reduce the amount of fluoride in tap water, to protect Americans, especially children, from tooth and bone damage caused by overexposure to this chemical.
Biofuels policy is on the wrong road
For almost two decades, the Environmental Working Group has advocated for protecting vulnerable people from toxic contaminants, ending crop subsidies that encourage environmental harm and investing...
Once Again, Obama’s USDA Less Transparent than Bush’s
The ballooning national debt and Tea Party pressure has members of Congress running in the halls with their budget-cutting scissors in hand. The Senate Agriculture Committee is no exception.
Having a Gas with Corn Ethanol
With Congress's appetite for ethanol souring, the corn ethanol lobby is digging deep for reasons to continue lavish government support for the environmentally damaging fuel. The Renewable Fuels...
Turning the Farm Bill into a Healthy Food Bill
It is the only important piece of environmental legislation that Congress is almost certain to enact over the next 18 months. And it's our best chance to fix major flaws in America's badly broken food...
Improving School Food: Do It Now or Pay the Price Later
Last week (May 30), the Republican-controlled House Appropriations Committee voted to cripple the nation's budding effort to do something about the woeful quality of school food and make America's...
Spending Votes: The Good, the Bad and the Missing
Tuesday's (May 31) votes by the House Appropriations Committee represented one such baby step. For the first time in years, the committee in charge of setting federal spending levels decided that...
Judge Grants Preliminary Approval of Black Farmers Settlement
A federal judge granted preliminary approval on May 13th of the $1.25 billion settlement for black farmers for decades of discrimination at the hands of the US Department of Agriculture. President...
You Could Be On Your Own If Ethanol Messes up Your Engine
For thirty years, the corn ethanol industry has relied on the federal government's muscle to force expanded production and availability of its fuel. The most recent favor handed to the industry was...
Keep Food from Becoming the New Oil
Food prices and food scarcity are quickly becoming the hidden driver in world politics, says pioneering environmental analyst Lester Brown, sparking political upheaval in the Middle East and...
If you have verifiable information on government or corporate policies, programs or decisions you believe Americans have the right to know, EWG wants to hear from you.
Factory Food: You’re Welcome, America
Coalitions often help bring about real change for the public good. Not this one though.
Gingrich for Free Markets (Except for Corn Ethanol)
The Iowa caucuses are more than a year away but potential 2012 presidential hopefuls are already parachuting into corn country to pander to Big Ag. Perennially coy Newt Gingrich is only the latest to...
Healthy School Food: Pay Now, Save Later
New school food standards proposed last week by the Obama administration could nearly double the amount of fruits and vegetables that more than 32 million kids eat every day.
Child Nutrition Law's First Steps
In mid-December, as millions of American school children were eagerly anticipating their holiday break of sleeping late and no homework, President Obama signed into law the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids...
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Texas Homes at Risk from Drilling Contamination, EPA Says
Whether it's from flood, fire or a tornado, there are few more devastating events than losing a home. But it's hard to equal the shock of having your house suddenly just blow up.
Coyote Ugly
Indications are that the wasteful corn ethanol tax credit may be included in a legislative deal negotiated by the Obama White House to extend tax cuts enacted under President George W. Bush. Last week...
Drillers May Be Told to Disclose Fracking Chemicals
By Dusty Horwitt, EWG Senior Counsel Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar said this week that his department is weighing a plan to require energy companies to disclose what chemicals they use when...
Tepid Tea for Corn Ethanol Subsidy Backers
Tea party backers, environmental groups, faith-based organizations, and the bulk of the U.S. meat and dairy industry joined forces today, calling on Congressional leaders to eliminate a wasteful...
Want Some Bug-Killer With That?
If you like your fruits and vegetables with pesticides, then you'll be glad to know the conventional produce industry is boasting of a big win with the Obama administration.
