Georgia's Early Hurricane Estimates and Food & Ag Lobbying Report
From the Ag Information Network, this is your Agribusiness Update.
**The future is uncertain for thousands of Georgia farmers, according to the state’s ag commissioner.
They are facing billions of dollars in preliminary losses from Hurricane Helene in what could be a catastrophic blow to the state’s ag industry.
Agricultural damages are expected to reach at least $6.46 billion, according to an estimate from the University of Georgia’s College of Agricultural & Environmental Sciences.
**The Union of Concerned Scientists recently released a report analyzing the influence of lobbying on food and agriculture systems.
The report finds agribusinesses, industry associations, and other interest groups have spent more than $500 million to influence legislation, including the twice expired Farm Bill, from 2019 to 23.
UCS Deputy Director, Karen Stillerman emphasized the responsibility of legislators to uphold the needs of small to midsize farms, marginalized farmers, food workers, and consumers.
**A federal judge rejected a petition from environmental activists for more strict regulation of large livestock operations.
The Ninth Circuit Court lawsuit, filed by Food & Water Watch, challenged the EPA’s decision last year to deny a petition to require all farms to obtain permits to operate their CAFOs unless they could prove they’re not a source of pollution.
Activists argued livestock operations are releasing pollution into waterways in violation of the Clean Water Act.
