Source: United States Senator Pete Ricketts (Nebraska)
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Pete Ricketts (R-NE) and Tina Smith (D-MN) introduced the Organic Imports Verification Act. The bipartisan legislation would protect American organic farmers from fraudulent organic imports. It would preserve the integrity of domestic organic commodities through robust certification and monitoring practices.
“Fraudulent organic imports hurt American farmers and degrade consumer trust. This must stop,” said Senator Ricketts. “By enhancing oversight and enforcing stricter controls, we can better safeguard U.S. organic farmers and maintain consumer trust in organic products. This bipartisan legislation levels the playing field for our domestic organic producers.”
“Many Americans pay a premium for organic food at the grocery store and many farmers invest a lot of work and financial equity to sell certified organic products in the marketplace,” said Senator Smith. “Despite USDA’s best efforts, products being imported to this country are often deemed organic when they are not, hurting both consumers and farmers. This bill will help ensure that items labeled organic are indeed organic, protecting the quality of food we eat and farmers’ livelihoods.”
Specifically, the Organic Imports Verification Act:
Authorizes a full U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) report to Congress on residue testing for all imported organic feedstuffs shipped via bulk;
Authorizes USDA to take corrective action and stop the sale of organic imports for positive residue contaminant tests.
The residue testing report must include frequency of testing, methods used, results, analysis standards, and any actions taken as a result of testing.
Full text of legislation can be found here. Senator Tim Scott (R-SC) is a co-sponsor of the legislation.
The legislation is supported by the Organic Trade Association, Organic Farmers Association, and the National Organic Coalition.
BACKGROUND:
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) administers the Organic Food Production Act. This Act sets standards for labels on organically produced agricultural products. It creates a national list of approved and prohibited substances for organic production. It also includes an organic certification program, called the National Organic Program (NOP). The NOP establishes rules and regulations for the production, handling, labeling, and enforcement of organic products that undergo residue testing.
The USDA and third-party organic certifiers are responsible for testing imported organic commodities under the NOP. A majority of these imports are coming from high-risk countries with a weak verification process in place. This lack of an established verification process raises concerns about the authenticity and quality of these organic products coming into U.S. ports.
In 2024, 1.3 million metric tons of organic feedstuffs were imported via maritime vessels, with 80% originating from countries with questionable organic enforcement. This influx is equivalent to the output of 800,000 acres of domestic organic production and $1 billion in losses for U.S. organic farmers.
U.S. organic farmers require stronger oversight and enforcement to protect the integrity of the organic marketplace. While import fraud affects various organic commodities, feedstuffs are particularly vulnerable. Products such as whole soybeans, soybean meal, corn, cracked corn, canola, sunflowers and sunflower byproducts frequently enter the U.S. market through high-risk and complex supply chains.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Monica De La Cruz (TX-15)
De La Cruz Statement on Tariff Announcement
Washington, April 2, 2025
WASHINGTON – Today, Congresswoman Monica De La Cruz (R-TX) released the statement below following President Trump’s announcement on tariffs.
“South Texas is home to some of the busiest land ports of entry in our country and I understand the importance of our trade partnership with Mexico. I am proud to have advocated to the White House on behalf of farmers and families for key agricultural products to be excluded from tariffs. Today, President Trump announced that USMCA-compliant goods will continue to see a 0% tariff under the announced trade strategy. I will continue to stay in communication with the White House and our community on the impacts of today’s announcement.” – Congresswoman Monica De La Cruz
Background:
During today’s announcement on the White House’s trade strategy, President Trump announced that USMCA-compliant goods will continue to see a 0% tariff. During the ongoing trade negotiations, De La Cruz met with President Trump and urged the Administration in a letter to Secretary of State Marco Rubio to include an exclusion of fruits and vegetables in tariffs.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Tom Tiffany (WI-07)
WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congressman Tom Tiffany (WI-07) and Congresswoman Lauren Boebert’s (CO-04) legislation to delist the gray wolf from the Endangered Species List and ensure that action is not subject to judicial review passed out of the House Natural Resources Committee. The Pet and Livestock Protection Act will restore authority back to state lawmakers and state wildlife officials to control the gray wolf population. H.R. 845 will now head to the full House of Representatives for a vote.
“The damage to pets, livestock, and wildlife from an unmanaged wolf population can no longer be ignored. The gray wolf has exceeded federal and state recovery goals, with over 1,000 wolves now thriving in Wisconsin. It’s time to take the next step, delist them, and let the people closest to the gray wolf manage their population levels,” said Congressman Tiffany.
“I’m very excited to see PALPA take another step towards being signed into law, which will be a huge victory for our ranchers, farmers, and landowners in Colorado and across America,”said Congresswoman Boebert. “The science has been very clear on this topic for years: gray wolves are fully recovered and their comeback should be touted as a success story. Now it’s time we encourage states to set their own guidelines and allow ranchers, farmers, and landowners to protect their livelihoods. I look forward to voting for this bill on the House floor and ultimately getting it to President Trump for his signature.”
“The Endangered Species Act was never meant to be a Hotel California where species check in but never leave. Congresswoman Boebert and Congressman Tiffany’s Pet and Livestock Protection Act will allow the recovered gray wolf to check out and return management to the states who know the species best. I thank Ms. Boebert and Mr. Tiffany for their work on this important issue,” said Natural Resources Committee Chairman Bruce Westerman.
“Hunter Nation salutes the House Natural Resources Committee for voting the ‘Pet and Livestock Protection Act’ out of committee, and thanks Congressman Tom Tiffany and Congresswoman Lauren Boebert for their unwavering support of hunters and our hunting lifestyle,” said Keith Mark, President/Founder of Hunter Nation. “The delisting of the gray wolf is a policy change we have been fighting for since our founding. The recovery of the gray wolf is an incredible conservation success story that should be celebrated. This legislation allows each state to manage the now recovered wolf population just as they manage all other wildlife within the state. The best part of this legislation is the provision that prevents judicial review of the legislative action which will preclude anti-hunting groups from using activist judges to interfere with sound, science-based conservation.”
In 2020, the Department of the Interior and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service delisted the gray wolf in the lower 48 United States through a process that included the best science and data available. At over 6,000 wolves at the time of delisting, the gray wolf has been the latestEndangered Species Act success story with significant population recoveries in the Rocky Mountains and western Great Lakes regions. However, despite ample scientific evidence of the gray wolf’s recovery, a California judge unilaterally relisted the gray wolf under the ESA last year. The Pet and Livestock Protection Act requires the Secretary of the Interior to reissue the 2020 Department of the Interior final rule that delisted gray wolves in the lower 48 United States.
32 Members of Congress cosponsored Rep. Tiffany and Rep. Boebert’s legislation, including the entire Wisconsin Republican Congressional Delegation.
Stakeholders that support the Pet and Livestock Protection Act include: Hunter Nation, American Farm Bureau Federation, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA), Public Lands Council (PLC), National Rifle Association (NRA), Safari Club International (SCI), International Order of T. Roosevelt (IOTR), Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation, Mule Deer Foundation, Blacktail Deer Foundation, Colorado Farm Bureau, Colorado Wool Growers, New Mexico Cattle Growers, Minnesota Lamb & Wool Producers Association, Coalition of Arizona/New Mexico Counties, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation, Wisconsin Cattlemen’s Association, Nebraska Cattlemen, and Wisconsin Bear Hunters Association
The full text of the Pet and Livestock Protection Act can be found here.
A Massachusetts man was sentenced today to one year and one day in prison, with the final three months to be served in community confinement, after pleading guilty to nine counts of possessing animals for use in an animal fighting venture, in violation of the federal Animal Welfare Act.
John D. Murphy, of Hanson, was also ordered to serve three years of supervised release and to pay a $10,000 fine. He was indicted by a federal grand jury last year after being identified on recorded calls discussing dog fighting and subsequent court-authorized searches of his Facebook accounts which revealed a long involvement in dog fighting. Law enforcement executed a federal search warrant at Murphy’s Hanson residence in June 2023 and seized numerous items — like various breeding and training devices and literature and medical and veterinary supplies — associated with dog fighting.
Photos of dogs running on treadmills found in Murphy’s basement; from sentencing memo in United States v. John Murphy, 24-cr-10074 in U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts.Photo of dog fighting paraphernalia, including break sticks, seized in Murphy’s basement; from sentencing memo in United States v. John Murphy, 24-cr-10074 in U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts.
“Dog fighting is a brutal and inhumane form of entertainment and is associated with other organized criminal activity, including illegal gambling,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Adam Gustafson of the Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division (ENRD). “We are committed to holding violators accountable. We commend the collaboration between federal and multiple state and local law enforcement agencies in investigating and prosecuting this case.”
“Dogfighting is a blood sport rooted in cruelty and greed. For years, Mr. Murphy brutalized defenseless animals for profit and sport – training them to fight, suffer and die for his own financial gain. His actions were not only illegal but deeply disturbing,” said U.S. Attorney Leah B. Foley for the District of Massachusetts. “This sentencing marks a historic moment in the first federal dogfighting conviction in Massachusetts and serves as a stark warning: those who engage in this barbaric practice will be exposed, prosecuted and punished. We will not tolerate animal cruelty in our communities.”
“The Office of Inspector General is committed to working with all of our law enforcement and prosecutorial partners in pursuing individuals who choose to participate in animal fighting activities and engage in violations involving animal welfare,” said Special Agent in Charge Charmeka Parker of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)’s Office of Inspector General.
To report animal fighting crimes, please contact your local law enforcement or the USDA’s Office of Inspector General complaint hotline at: https://usdaoig.oversight.gov/hotline or 1-800-424-9121.
The USDA’s Office of Inspector General investigated the case. Valuable assistance was provided by the Massachusetts State Police; Animal Rescue League of Boston’s Law Enforcement Division; Homeland Security Investigations; U.S. Customs and Border Protection; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; U.S. Coast Guard Investigative Service; USMS; Maine State Police; New Hampshire State Police; Massachusetts Office of the State Auditor; Rhode Island Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and the police departments of Hanson, Boston and Acton.
Senior Trial Attorney Matthew T. Morris of ENRD’s Environmental Crimes Section and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Danial E. Bennett and Kaitlin J. Brown for the District of Massachusetts prosecuted the case.
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments
The results of the BARCODE1 trial, published by The New England Journal of Medicine assesses the use of apolygenic risk score in screening for prostate cancer.
Prof Michael Inouye, Professor of Systems Genomics & Population Health, University of Cambridge, said:
“This study is the strongest evidence to date on the clinical utility of a polygenic score for prostate cancer screening. It shows that a polygenic score can improve early detection of clinically significant prostate cancer, including those warranting radical treatment. A large proportion of prostate cancer cases detected using a polygenic score would not have been detected using the current diagnostic pathway. The authors appropriately discuss the study’s limitations and further research required (e.g. cost effectiveness). Taken together, I suspect we will look back on this as a landmark study that really made the clinical case for polygenic scores as a new tool that moved health systems from disease management to early detection and prevention.”
When asked how long it would take to know if this could be used clinically?
“This is a big step along the path to clinical implementation, but it is still a long road. Realistically, it will likely be years for the NHS to use polygenic scores routinely. It will require investment in infrastructure, generation of genomic data, training for healthcare practicians and potentially access to counselling for patients. There are more targeted ways to use polygenic scores clinically which may make for good next steps. To me, the study really makes me start to believe that these investments are worth it.”
Mr Ben Lamb, Consultant Urological and Robotic Surgeon, Barts Health and UCLH NHS Trusts, and Clinical Senior Lecturer, Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary University of London (QMUL), said:
“This is a very interesting study that assesses the utility of polygenic risk score in the detection of prostate cancer. The population may not be representative of those most at risk of prostate cancer, or of poorer health outcomes in general (e.g. black men, men in areas of deprivation), and further research is needed to test the results in these populations. Further research is also needed to understand longitudinal risk for men with a higher polygenic risk score i.e. their risk of developing cancer over time.
“Interestingly, the best rate of detection of significant prostate cancer arose when the saliva test, PSA test and MRI tests were all positive. The saliva test may help to direct resources to those men most likely to have significant prostate cancer, but at present it does not replace these investigations, which we know are powerful tools in reassuring some men and recommending biopsy (and performing a better biopsy) in others.
“The saliva test is less invasive than a blood test, or an MRI, and may be more acceptable for larger populations.”
Dr Oliver Pain, Sir Henry Wellcome Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience (IoPPN), King’s College London, said:
“This study uses solid data and analyses and its findings fit nicely with the previous literature suggesting that polygenic scores can improve estimation of prostate cancer risk. It goes a step further than previous research in this area by providing a direct comparison with the current diagnostic pathway, showing that stratifying individuals by their polygenic score helped to identify people with clinically significant prostate cancer who would have otherwise been missed. As stated by the authors, the main limitation of this study is that it is restricted to individuals of European ancestry. Previous research has shown that the polygenic score they have used performs worse in non-European individuals, limiting the generalisability of this study’s conclusions. However, this is a common limitation of the field, not just this study, and there is progress being made with polygenic scores performing better across ancestral populations as the training data (GWAS) becomes more ancestrally diverse and polygenic scoring methods develop to improve their ability to be transferred across populations. There is evidence that progress is being made in this area for prostate cancer specifically, although there is a lot more work to be done (https://elifesciences.org/articles/78304, https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pcbi.1011990).
“In general, this study fits with others coming out for other diseases, and it is great step forward, but I would say we need research demonstrating the predictive utility of polygenic scores for prostate cancer in a more representative sample before we can start implementing them in the clinical setting.”
Dr Chantal Babb de Villiiers, Senior Policy Analyst at PHG Foundation, said:
“The BARCODE study results contribute valuable insights into the use of polygenic scores for risk stratification of prostate cancer, and how they can supplement risk prediction with known risk factors. The follow-up of the entire cohort will provide crucial data for evaluating the clinical and economic impact of using polygenic scores. Whilst some polygenic scores are showing promise in very specific scenarios, it is important to approach their implementation with caution and ensure thorough validation. We need further research to determine the best combination of these risk factors as well as how to effectively implement stratified screening.”
Professor Rhian Gabe, Professor of Biostatistics and Clinical Trials, Queen Mary University of London (QMUL), said:
“The test evaluated in this high quality study has exciting results in terms of detection, the hopes for an optimal future prostate cancer screening strategy and deserves larger-scale evaluation. Excitingly, this will happen in the TRANSFORM trial of prostate cancer screening where the test will also be evaluated in terms of acceptance, impact on prostate cancer deaths and incidence by comparing it with other promising strategies involving PSA testing and MRI.”
Dr Samuel Lambert, Assistant Professor of Health Data Science, University of Cambridge, said:
“The results of the BARCODE1 study are a major achievement, clearly illustrating the value of targeting prostate cancer screening to individuals defined as high-risk using a polygenic risk score. Targeting screening to the high-polygenic score population identified significant cancers that would not have been detected using existing thresholds, a comparable rate to previous trials targeting screening to individuals with pathogenic BRCA1/2 variants.
“A current limitation is that the polygenic risk score in this study could only be used in individuals of European ancestry due to limitations in the diversity of available genome-wide association study data. This limitation is likely to be overcome in the long term, with data from new studies like Our Future Health in the UK that have prioritised diversity in their recruitment and linked health records to genetics data. Diverse studies like Our Future Health will allow researchers to better identify the variants associated with disease in all ancestries.”
Prof Dusko Ilic, Professor of Stem Cell Sciences, King’s College London (KCL), said:
“Polygenic risk scores (PRS) offer moderate discriminatory power when used alone. The study used a score based on 130 SNPs and showed that men in the top 10% of the PRS distribution had significantly higher risk. However, when added to established factors like age, PSA level, and MRI findings, the predicting clinically significant prostate cancer improved only modestly. Notably, further stratification within the top decile (e.g., 90th vs. 99th percentile) did not significantly improve predictive accuracy, suggesting diminishing returns at extreme PRS levels.
“Furthermore, there is no direct evidence yet that using PRS improves long-term outcomes such as mortality or quality-adjusted life years. Modelling suggests benefit, but empirical confirmation is needed.
“While the results are promising, especially in identifying significant cancers that would otherwise be missed, major caveats remain:
Population limitations: The cohort was self-selected, highly educated, and entirely of European ancestry.
Unclear generalizability: The PRS used was only validated in men of European descent.
No mortality data: The study doesn’t demonstrate reduced prostate cancer mortality or improved overall survival.
Cost-effectiveness: Not yet fully evaluated.
“So, while PRS could supplement existing screening in high-risk individuals, the evidence is insufficient to recommend a standalone screening program based solely on PRS at this time.”
Dr Britta Stordal, Associate Professor in Cancer Research, Middlesex University, said:
“McHugh et al show that through the use of their BARCODE1 genetic risk score they are able to identify men who are at a higher risk of prostate cancer. 74 men had their prostate cancer diagnosed as a result of participating in this clinical trial that would not have been detected with current standard care on the NHS. This work is possible due to extensive previous research into genetic risk for prostate cancer in European populations. A similar risk score for men of Black African or Caribbean ancestry is urgently needed as we know that these men have a much higher prostate cancer risk than those of European ancestry.”
‘Assessment of a Polygenic Risk Score in Screening for Prostate Cancer’ by J.K. McHugh et al. was published in The New England Journal of Medicine at 22:00 UK time Wednesday 9 April 2025.
DOI: 10.1056/NEJMoa2407934
Declared interests
Prof Michael Inouye: Trustee of the Public Health Genomics (PHG) Foundation, Scientific Advisory Board of Open Targets, and research collaborations with AstraZeneca, Nightingale Health, and Pfizer. All of these are not related to the study. It’s also worth noting that, while the study is obviously driven by the Institute of Cancer Research in London, one of the coauthors (Pashayan) is a colleague at Cambridge.
Prof Dusko Ilic: I declare no interest.
Prof Rhian Gabe: I am Co-Lead of the TRANSFORM trial of prostate cancer screening, we are collaborating with Professor Eles to evaluate her PRS test.
Dr Samuel Lambert: No conflicts of interest to disclose.
Dr Britta Stordal: No conflicts of interest to declare.
For all other experts, no reply to our request for DOIs was received.
Source: United States Small Business Administration
SACRAMENTO, Calif. – The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) announced the availability of low interest federal disaster loans to small businesses and private nonprofit (PNP) organizations in Colorado who sustained economic losses due to the drought beginning Jan. 28.
In Colorado, the declaration includes the counties of Archuleta, Dolores, Hinsdale, La Plata, Mineral, Montezuma, Rio Grande, Saguache and San Juan, and in New Mexico, San Juan County.
Under this declaration, SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program is available to small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, nurseries, and PNPs with financial losses directly related to the disaster. The SBA is unable to provide disaster loans to agricultural producers, farmers, or ranchers, except for small aquaculture enterprises.
EIDLs are available for working capital needs caused by the disaster and are available even if the small business or PNP did not suffer any physical damage. The loans may be used to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable and other bills not paid due to the disaster.
“Through a declaration by the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, SBA provides critical financial assistance to help communities recover,” said Chris Stallings, associate administrator of the Office of Disaster Recovery and Resilience at the SBA. “We’re pleased to offer loans to small businesses and private nonprofits impacted by these disasters.”
The loan amount can be up to $2 million with interest rates as low as 4% for small businesses and 3.625% for PNPs, with terms up to 30 years. Interest does not accrue, and payments are not due, until 12 months after the date of the first loan disbursement. The SBA sets loan amounts and terms based on each applicant’s financial condition.
To apply online, visit sba.gov/disaster. Applicants may also call SBA’s Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955 or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov for more information on SBA disaster assistance. For people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability, please dial 7-1-1 to access telecommunications relay services.
Submit completed loan applications to SBA no later than Dec. 1.
###
About the U.S. Small Business Administration
The U.S. Small Business Administration helps power the American dream of business ownership. As the only go-to resource and voice for small businesses backed by the strength of the federal government, the SBA empowers entrepreneurs and small business owners with the resources and support they need to start, grow, expand their businesses, or recover from a declared disaster. It delivers services through an extensive network of SBA field offices and partnerships with public and private organizations. To learn more, visit www.sba.gov.
Source: United States Small Business Administration
SACRAMENTO, Calif. – The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) announced the availability of low interest federal disaster loans to small businesses and private nonprofit (PNP) organizations in Utah who sustained economic losses due to the drought occurring Jan. 28.
In Utah, the declaration includes the counties of Beaver, Emery, Garfield, Grand, Iron, Kane, Millard, Piute, San Juan, Sevier and Wayne, in Arizona, Apache, Coconino and Navajo counties, in Colorado, the declaration includes Dolores, Mesa, Montezuma Montrose and San Miguel counties, in Nevada, Lincoln County and in New Mexico, San Juan County.
Under this declaration, SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program is available to small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, nurseries, and PNPs with financial losses directly related to the disaster. The SBA is unable to provide disaster loans to agricultural producers, farmers, or ranchers, except for small aquaculture enterprises.
EIDLs are available for working capital needs caused by the disaster and are available even if the small business or PNP did not suffer any physical damage. The loans may be used to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable and other bills not paid due to the disaster.
“Through a declaration by the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, SBA provides critical financial assistance to help communities recover,” said Chris Stallings, associate administrator of the Office of Disaster Recovery and Resilience at the SBA. “We’re pleased to offer loans to small businesses and private nonprofits impacted by these disasters.”
The loan amount can be up to $2 million with interest rates as low as 4% for small businesses and 3.625% for PNPs, with terms up to 30 years. Interest does not accrue, and payments are not due, until 12 months after the date of the first loan disbursement. The SBA sets loan amounts and terms based on each applicant’s financial condition.
To apply online, visit sba.gov/disaster. Applicants may also call SBA’s Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955 or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov for more information on SBA disaster assistance. For people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability, please dial 7-1-1 to access telecommunications relay services.
Submit completed loan applications to SBA no later than Dec. 1.
###
About the U.S. Small Business Administration
The U.S. Small Business Administration helps power the American dream of business ownership. As the only go-to resource and voice for small businesses backed by the strength of the federal government, the SBA empowers entrepreneurs and small business owners with the resources and support they need to start, grow, expand their businesses, or recover from a declared disaster. It delivers services through an extensive network of SBA field offices and partnerships with public and private organizations. To learn more, visit www.sba.gov.
Sentence adjudicates first-ever federal dogfighting case in District of Massachusetts
BOSTON – A Hanson, Mass. man was sentenced today in federal court in Boston for possessing dogs at his Massachusetts home for participation in a dogfighting venture.
John D. Murphy, 51, was sentenced by U.S. Senior District Court Judge William G. Young to one year and one day in prison, with the last three months to be served in community confinement, followed by three years of supervised release. The defendant was also ordered to pay a fine of $10,000 and ordered prohibited from possessing pit-bull type dogs. In November 2024, Murphy pleaded guilty to nine counts of possessing animals for use in an animal fighting venture, in violation of the federal Animal Welfare Act. Murphy was indicted by a federal grand jury in March 2024.
“Dogfighting is a blood sport rooted in cruelty and greed. For years, Mr. Murphy brutalized defenseless animals for profit and sport – training them to fight, suffer and die for his own financial gain. His actions were not only illegal but deeply disturbing,” said United States Attorney Leah B. Foley. “This sentencing marks a historic moment in the first federal dogfighting conviction in Massachusetts and serves as a stark warning: those who engage in this barbaric practice will be exposed, prosecuted and punished. We will not tolerate animal cruelty in our communities.”
“Dog fighting is a brutal and inhumane form of entertainment and is associated with other organized criminal activity, including illegal gambling,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Adam Gustafson of the Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division (ENRD). “We are committed to holding violators accountable. We commend the collaboration between federal and multiple state and local law enforcement agencies in investigating and prosecuting this case.”
“The Office of Inspector General is committed to working with all of our law enforcement and prosecutorial partners in pursuing individuals who choose to participate in animal fighting activities and engage in violations involving animal welfare,” said Charmeka Parker, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Department of Agriculture – Office of Inspector General, Northeast Region.
In 2021, Murphy was identified discussing dogfighting on recorded calls with a New York-based dogfighting target. A subsequent search of his Facebook accounts revealed Murphy’s years-long involvement in dogfighting. Murphy communicated with other dogfighters via Facebook where they discussed the results of dogfights, injuries sustained by fighting dogs, as well as breeding dogs. Murphy also belonged to private dogfighting Facebook groups used to share fight results, buy and sell fighting dogs and exchange information on training and conditioning fighting dogs, among other things.
Photos and videos found on Murphy’s Facebook account showed a pit bull-type dog with scarring and discolorations on its head and leg consistent with that of dogfighting as well as a photo of a pit bull-type dog restrained in a breeding stand. Videos from his account showed pit bull-type dogs physically tethered to different treadmill-like devices that dogfighters commonly use to physically condition dogs for dogfights. One of the videos depicted a live raccoon caged in front of the carpet mill, to serve as a stimulus for the pit bull-type dog to run faster and harder.
In June 2023, a search of Murphy’s residence in Hanson revealed that he was keeping nine pit bull-type dogs at his home. Several of the dogs had scarring consistent with being involved in organized dogfighting.
Animal fighting paraphernalia was also found during the search of Murphy’s residence, including:
Flirt poles, used to entice a dog to chase a stimulus;
Spring poles, used to build a dog’s jaw strength and increase aggression;
Several treadmills, slat mills and carpet mills, used to condition dogs to build stamina and muscle;
A jenny mill, used to develop a dog’s endurance and musculature by enticing the animal to run on a circular track;
Rabbit training scent for dogs;
Break sticks, used to force a dog’s bite open, specifically at the termination of a fight or while training;
A dog bite sleeve;
Disposable skin staplers, used to attempt to close wounds resulting from dogfights;
Several types of steroids and painkillers;
Fertility medications and a breeding stand, used to restrain female dogs during breeding;
Printouts of fighting dog pedigrees; and
Dog fighting literature, DVDs and CD-ROMs.
A forensic examination of Murphy’s cell phone revealed significant additional evidence of his involvement in dogfighting. This included multiple dog fighting videos and WhatsApp messages between Murphy and other individuals discussing elements of dog fighting. In one of the messages, Murphy expressed his anger over having animal control called to his property and the 25 years he invested in breeding and conditioning dogs, and asserting that he will “never never never” quit what he is doing with the dogs.
In March 2024, the United States also filed a civil forfeiture complaint against 13 pit bull-type dogs, seized in June 2023 from Murphy’s residence and another residence in Townsend, Mass., that were possessed for participation in an animal fighting venture. In September and October 2024, the Court ordered the dogs to be forfeited to the United States.
To report animal fighting crimes, please contact your local law enforcement or the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Office of Inspector General complaint hotline at: https://usdaoig.oversight.gov/hotline or 1-800-424-9121.
U.S. Attorney Foley; ENRD Acting AAG Gustafson; USDA-OIG SAC Parker; Geoffrey D. Noble, Colonel of the Massachusetts State Police; and Karen L. LoStracco, Director of the Animal Rescue League of Boston – Law Enforcement Division made the announcement. Valuable assistance was provided by Homeland Security Investigations; U.S. Customs and Border Protection; U.S. Marshal’s Service; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives; U.S. Coast Guard Investigative Service; Maine State Police; New Hampshire State Police; Massachusetts Office of the State Auditor; Rhode Island Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals; Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals; and the Hanson, Boston and Acton Police Departments.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Danial E. Bennett and Kaitlin J. Brown of the Worcester Branch Office and Trial Attorney Matthew T. Morris of the Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division (ENRD), Environmental Crimes Section, prosecuted the case. Carol E. Head, Chief of the Asset Recovery Unit for the District of Massachusetts and Trial Attorney Caitlyn F. Cook of ENRD’s Wildlife and Marine Resources Section are prosecuting the civil forfeiture case.
Source: United States Senator Peter Welch (D-Vermont)
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.), a member of the Senate Finance Committee, today released the following statement on President Trump pausing certain tariffs for 90 days:
“President Trump’s decision is an acknowledgement of what we’ve said from day one: nobody wins in a trade war. Tariffs are a tax on Vermont businesses, farmers, and families, and this administration’s on-again, off-again trade orders are causing chaos and instability for Main Street and Wall Street alike. Vermont cannot afford the current tariffs, and we certainly cannot afford these so-called ‘reciprocal’ tariffs to go back into place. Congress needs to steady the ship and reassert our trade authority.”
A neurosurgeon with specialized training is leading a new concussion clinic at UConn Health.
Dr. Brian Kelley, in the roles of neurosurgeon and neurointensivist, seeks to offer an outpatient setting where those who’ve suffered a traumatic brain injury (TBI) can progress with their recovery following their initial acute care.
Dr. Bryan Kelley is a UConn Health neurosurgeon with specialty training in neurotrauma and neurocritical care. (Tina Encarnacion/UConn Health photo)
“There are ongoing processes inside your head that are not necessarily surgical problems, but still very much contribute to the overall pathology,” Kelley says. “There are several aspects related to traumatic brain injury that deal not only with surgical issues, but also with what are called secondary mechanisms of injury. These are processes like hypoxia, free radical formation, or pathologic enzyme activity that happen in a delayed fashion.”
Free radicals are unstable molecules that can harm cells. Hypoxia refers to when the body’s oxygen levels are low.
Kelley joined UConn Health in 2022, after completing a fellowship in neurocritical care at the University of Pennsylvania that followed his neurosurgical training. In addition to treating brain-injured patients surgically, he’s interested in coordinating services to help patients transition into longer-term care needs.
“TBI patients often have long-term neurologic issues, be it cognitive or motor function, and they need resources and a place to go where someone with expertise in the field may not be able to necessarily fix everything but can steer them in the proper direction,” Kelley says. “The ultimate goal of the concussion clinic is to integrate neurotrauma care with physical, occupational, and speech therapies, as well as cognitive treatment down the line. That’s in addition to dealing with any potential surgical or postoperative issues.”
Kelley envisions a comprehensive model for patients to access interdisciplinary care unique to their needs. His concussion clinic opened March 30 at the Brain and Spine Institute at UConn Health, just off its main campus in Farmington at 5 Munson Road.
“The concussion clinic is born out of building an academic practice focused on head trauma,” he says. “Post-concussive syndrome can be a little bit of a nebulous diagnosis. Not everybody fits nicely into a box, but if you can drill down on a patient’s chief complaint, then at the very least, we can make sure they’re seeing the right groups of people.”
Of note, Kelley’s clinic is separate and distinct from Neurosport, which is part of UConn Health’s orthopedics and sports medicine practice and provides comprehensive care for athletes who suffer head injuries.
To start, Kelley expects most of his referrals to come from the UConn John Dempsey Hospital Emergency Department, with an eye toward cultivating the clinic’s reputation as a resource for community physicians to send their patients who may be struggling with the aftereffects of brain injury.
“There are patients who suffer what you might think is a fairly innocuous event, but they’re left with fairly significant neurologic issues and kind of stuck,” he says. “They’re not sick enough to be in the hospital, but they can’t go back to work or they’re not enjoying the quality of life they want. The idea is to perform a neurologic exam, provide them with a head-to-toe assessment of what’s going on, and give them the resources to help mitigate some of the ongoing TBI effects.”
Dr. Ketan Bulsara, chair of UConn Health’s Department of Neurosurgery, says, “Dr. Kelley’s training and expertise uniquely position him to provide a great service to help a large group of post-concussive patients. Combined with his research interest in understanding the pathophysiology of brain trauma, he is also uniquely positioned to help advance treatments for this group of patients.”
Learn more about UConn Health’s Department of Neurosurgery, or call 860-679-8080 to schedule a consultation.
Learn more about the Brain and Spine Institute at UConn Health.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal (7th District of Washington)
WASHINGTON, DC — U.S. Representatives Pramila Jayapal (WA-07), Chris Deluzio (PA-17), Pat Ryan (NY-18), and Angie Craig (MN-02) are today launching the Monopoly Busters Caucus, a new caucus with nine Founding Members to fight corporate greed and promote a pro-worker, pro-consumer, and pro-small business economic agenda.
“Something is wrong in this country when families go to the grocery store and can’t afford milk or eggs or cereal. As people struggle under the weight of inflation, corporate profits are higher than ever,” said Jayapal. “From rent to groceries, to health care — life in America has become unaffordable. The answer to why is simple: corporate monopolies. When we take on corporate power, we can make a meaningful difference in the everyday lives of working people across the country – and we must, the American people are counting on us.”
“Monopolies have been rigging the system, crushing competition and small businesses, and ripping off the American people for decades. And for too long, politicians in Congress have let it happen,” said Congressman Deluzio. “We’re launching the Monopoly Busters Caucus today because we think that it’s long overdue for Congress to step up to take on consolidated corporate power and to reinvigorate American capitalism with competition. It’s our duty to help take the squeeze off of America’s workers, small businesses, and consumers and pave a path back to the American Dream. It’s time to get real, patriotic competition back in our economy.”
“When I talk with folks in the Hudson Valley, the number one thing I hear is frustration. Frustration that even though they’re working hard and doing everything that’s asked of them, they can’t afford to provide for their family – housing, health care, gas, groceries, utilities. It’s inherently un-American that only a select few are able to live out the American dream,” said Congressman Pat Ryan. “The reason for this is clear – in every one of those industries, we’ve let monopolies drive up costs and drive down quality, all while making record breaking profits. We’re gonna fight back against these big and powerful corporations, hold the bad actors accountable, and ultimately put power back where it belongs: with the American people.”
“As the top Democrat on the House Agriculture Committee, I have seen firsthand how consolidation in the ag industry is squeezing our family farmers and producers – and driving up costs for consumers too,” said Rep. Craig. “At a time when the Administration is launching our country headfirst into a global trade war, it’s more important than ever that we uplift small and local businesses right here at home. I’m proud to be joining Representatives Jayapal, Ryan and Deluzio to fight consolidation, strengthen the middle class and lower costs for producers and consumers.”
Throughout the pandemic and the inflation that followed, there was consistent reporting of large corporations price-gouging consumers, something they could do thanks to near-monopoly consolidation in many industries. For instance, in the cases of beef, baby food, pasta, and soda, more than 80 percent of the market is controlled by four companies. Rigorous enforcement of our antitrust laws can fix this consolidation and ensure that our markets work for all people.
The Caucus’s founding Members represent a large swath of the ideological makeup of the Democratic Party, highlighting the unity around a strong economic prosperity message. Joining the co-chairs in founding the Caucus are Becca Balint (VT-AL), Greg Casar (TX-35), Maggie Goodlander (NH-02), Val Hoyle (OR-04), Kristen MacDonald Rivet (MI-08), Jerrold Nadler (NY-12), Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (NY-14), Jan Schakowsky (IL-09), and Nydia M. Velázquez (NY-07).
The full livestreamed launch event can be watched here.
Source: United States Senator for Washington State Patty Murray
Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, joined Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Alsobrooks, Schumer, Kaine, and Warner and the entire Senate Democratic Caucus this week in urging President Trump to rescind his March 27 executive order to end collective bargaining agreements between public employee unions and dozens of federal agencies and bureaus. In their letter, the senators blasted the move as a “gross overreach” of presidential authority, asserting that the executive order is a clear attempt to gut the federal merit-based civil service and implement a system of political cronyism. They stressed that the order poses a grave threat to the ability of over 1 million federal workers to carry out their missions and deliver important services for the American people—and should be rescinded immediately.
“We write today in outrage over your recent executive order entitled Exclusions from Federal Labor-Management Relations Programs… This order is an insult to the hardworking public servants who go to work on behalf of the American people,” the senators began.
“The executive order effectively classifies two thirds of the federal workforce as having national security missions, a blatant misuse of a limited authority intended to provide operational flexibility to address legitimate security needs,” they continued. “There is no evidence that the long-standing collective bargaining agreements at these agencies have jeopardized our nation’s security in any way; to the contrary, the protection collective bargaining has provided for employees allows them to conduct their work on behalf of the American people—including blowing the whistle on fraud or abuse—without political interference.”
“This Administration clearly does not have even a basic understanding of the legally binding nature of federal collective bargaining agreements and is actively trying to bend the law to undermine protections for federal civil servants. We urge you to immediately rescind this illegal executive order so that our dedicated public servants can continue to work on behalf of the American public without fear for their job or political retribution,” the senators concluded.
The senators’ letter is endorsed by the American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO), American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE), National Treasury Employees Union (NTEU), International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers (IFPTE), and Service Employees International Union (SEIU).
A copy of the letter is available here and below.
Dear President Trump:
We write today in outrage over your recent executive order entitled Exclusions from Federal Labor-Management Relations Programs, a gross overreach of the authority granted in the Civil Service Reform Act of 1978 (CSRA).
This order is an insult to the hardworking public servants who go to work on behalf of the American people. They care for our veterans, deliver disaster assistance, prevent wildfires, help farmers improve crop yields, manage health benefits for 9/11 first responders, research treatments and cures for diseases, keep air travel safe, process tax returns, staff our national parks and much, much more. Nearly one third of these dedicated civil servants are veterans seeking to continue their service to our country out of uniform.
The executive order effectively classifies two thirds of the federal workforce as having national security missions, a blatant misuse of a limited authority intended to provide operational flexibility to address legitimate security needs. The national security exemption has existed for nearly 50 years and has been used only sparingly by Republican and Democratic Administrations—including during your first term—to exclude federal offices with an unquestionable core function in intelligence, counterintelligence, or national security. There is no evidence that the long-standing collective bargaining agreements at these agencies have jeopardized our nation’s security in any way; to the contrary, the protection collective bargaining has provided for employees allows them to conduct their work on behalf of the American people—including blowing the whistle on fraud or abuse—without political interference.
Federal employees’ collective bargaining agreements are critical to ensuring they continue to serve the American people with the peace of mind that comes with being protected from unfair labor practices. Unlike in the private sector, federal employee unions in most cases cannot negotiate pay or benefits, which are set by Congress, and they are legally prohibited from striking. The federal collective bargaining agreements do, however, protect federal employees from illegal firings, retaliation, and discrimination. They also promote resources for whistleblowers and veterans. These federal union contracts give employees in the civil service protections from retaliation so they can serve the American people fairly and effectively without partisan political interference.
This executive order, which ruthlessly strips collective bargaining agreements for over one million federal workers, is the most recent attack your Administration has levied against our merit-based civil service in the effort to cut the workforce and replace them with political cronies. While the CSRA does give the president the authority to limit collective bargaining agreements due to national security concerns, the executive order’s direction to terminate mass swaths of federal employee collective bargaining agreements is clearly intended to broadly dismantle the CSRA, which is specifically designed to grant federal employees the right to collective bargaining as a means to resolve workplace issues while maintaining the smooth functioning of government operations.
When the Secretary of Labor testified in February in front of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, Members of Congress asked her both in-person and through questions for the record whether she and the Administration would commit to honoring all legally binding collective bargaining agreements signed by federal agencies and labor unions, and whether federal employees have the right to organize and collectively bargain without fear of retaliation. The Secretary answered, “if confirmed, I will follow the law and work with the experts at the Department to understand the collective bargaining process at the Department and the terms and conditions of the collective bargaining agreements in place.” This Administration clearly does not have even a basic understanding of the legally binding nature of federal collective bargaining agreements and is actively trying to bend the law to undermine protections for federal civil servants.
We urge you to immediately rescind this illegal executive order so that our dedicated public servants can continue to work on behalf of the American public without fear for their job or political retribution.
Source: United States Small Business Administration
SACRAMENTO, Calif. – The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) announced the availability of low interest federal disaster loans to small businesses and private nonprofit (PNP) organizations in Texas who sustained economic losses due to the drought beginning Jan. 28.
The declaration includes the counties of Aransas, Austin, Bee, Brooks, Calhoun, Colorado, Concho, DeWitt, Dimmit, Duval, Fayette, Goliad, Gonzales, Hidalgo, Jackson, Jim Hogg, Jim Wells, Karnes, Kimble, Kleberg, La Salle, Lavaca, Live Oak, Mason, Matagorda, Maverick, McCulloch, McMullen, Menard, Nueces, Refugio, San Patricio, Schleicher, Starr, Sutton, Tom Green, Victoria, Webb, Wharton and Zapata.
Under this declaration, SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program is available to small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, nurseries, and PNPs with financial losses directly related to the disaster. The SBA is unable to provide disaster loans to agricultural producers, farmers, or ranchers, except for small aquaculture enterprises.
EIDLs are available for working capital needs caused by the disaster and are available even if the small business or PNP did not suffer any physical damage. The loans may be used to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable and other bills not paid due to the disaster.
“Through a declaration by the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, SBA provides critical financial assistance to help communities recover,” said Chris Stallings, associate administrator of the Office of Disaster Recovery and Resilience at the SBA. “We’re pleased to offer loans to small businesses and private nonprofits impacted by these disasters.”
The loan amount can be up to $2 million with interest rates as low as 4% for small businesses and 3.625% for PNPs, with terms up to 30 years. Interest does not accrue, and payments are not due, until 12 months after the date of the first loan disbursement. The SBA sets loan amounts and terms based on each applicant’s financial condition.
To apply online, visit sba.gov/disaster. Applicants may also call SBA’s Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955 or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov for more information on SBA disaster assistance. For people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability, please dial 7-1-1 to access telecommunications relay services.
Submit completed loan applications to SBA no later than Dec. 1.
###
About the U.S. Small Business Administration
The U.S. Small Business Administration helps power the American dream of business ownership. As the only go-to resource and voice for small businesses backed by the strength of the federal government, the SBA empowers entrepreneurs and small business owners with the resources and support they need to start, grow, expand their businesses, or recover from a declared disaster. It delivers services through an extensive network of SBA field offices and partnerships with public and private organizations. To learn more, visit www.sba.gov.
Source: United States Small Business Administration
SACRAMENTO, Calif. – The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) announced the availability of low interest federal disaster loans to small businesses and private nonprofit (PNP) organizations in New Mexico who sustained economic losses due to drought occurring Jan. 28.
In New Mexico the declaration includes the counties of Catron, Cibola, Lincoln, Los Alamos, McKinley, Mora, Rio Arriba, Sandoval, San Juan, Santa Fe, Sierra, Socorro, Taos, Torrance and Valencia, in Arizona, Apache County, in Colorado the declaration includes Archuleta, Conejos, La Plata and Montezuma counties, and in Utah, San Juan County.
Under this declaration, SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program is available to small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, nurseries, and PNPs with financial losses directly related to the disaster. The SBA is unable to provide disaster loans to agricultural producers, farmers, or ranchers, except for small aquaculture enterprises.
EIDLs are available for working capital needs caused by the disaster and are available even if the small business or PNP did not suffer any physical damage. The loans may be used to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable and other bills not paid due to the disaster.
“Through a declaration by the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, SBA provides critical financial assistance to help communities recover,” said Chris Stallings, associate administrator of the Office of Disaster Recovery and Resilience at the SBA. “We’re pleased to offer loans to small businesses and private nonprofits impacted by these disasters.”
The loan amount can be up to $2 million with interest rates as low as 4% for small businesses and 3.625% for PNPs, with terms up to 30 years. Interest does not accrue, and payments are not due, until 12 months after the date of the first loan disbursement. The SBA sets loan amounts and terms based on each applicant’s financial condition.
To apply online, visit sba.gov/disaster. Applicants may also call SBA’s Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955 or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov for more information on SBA disaster assistance. For people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability, please dial 7-1-1 to access telecommunications relay services.
Submit completed loan applications to SBA no later than Dec. 1.
###
About the U.S. Small Business Administration
The U.S. Small Business Administration helps power the American dream of business ownership. As the only go-to resource and voice for small businesses backed by the strength of the federal government, the SBA empowers entrepreneurs and small business owners with the resources and support they need to start, grow, expand their businesses, or recover from a declared disaster. It delivers services through an extensive network of SBA field offices and partnerships with public and private organizations. To learn more, visit www.sba.gov.
Source: United States Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock – Georgia
Senator Reverend Warnock Demands Answers from Admin Trade Official on Reckless Tariffs
During a Tuesday Senate Finance hearing, Senator Reverend Warnock grilled United States Trade Representative Jamieson Greer on the economic fallout less than a week after President Trump issued sweeping tariffs
The Senator specifically spotlighted how small businesses and families will be backed into a corner and forced to pay an increased price for goods
Senator Reverend Warnock uplifted the story of a Georgia small business that may have to close as a result of the tariffs
Senators Reverend Warnock during the hearing:“This economy is not working for working families, for ordinary people. And I would submit that what the President did last week in such a reckless and sudden way is adding even more pressure on these families”
Watch video of Senator Reverend Warnock’s questioning HERE
Washington, D.C. – Yesterday, U.S. Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock (D-GA), ranking member of the Senate Finance Subcommittee on International Trade, Customs, and Global Competitiveness, grilled United States Trade Representative Jamieson Greer during a Senate Finance Committee hearing on the fallout following President Trump’s announcement of a sweeping array of tariffs last week.
“This economy is not working for working families, for ordinary people. And I would submit that what the President did last week in such a reckless and sudden way is adding even more pressure on these families,” said Senator Warnock.
During the hearing, Senator Warnock specifically highlighted how the broad and indiscriminate tariffs provide no avenue for relief for ordinary American families and small business owners, backing them into a corner and forcing them to accept higher prices. Senator Warnock uplifted the story of Georgia constituent Angela Hawkins, who is the founder of Bamblu, a small business in Atlanta that sells bamboo-based sleepwear and sheets for people with severe and sensitive skin allergies. Hawkins, who imports many of her products from overseas, is now at risk of going out of business due to the price hikes caused by the tariffs.
“Angela’s products are made overseas because you can’t find bamboo fabric made in the United States. What should Angela do? Pay the new tax? Raise her prices and risk losing customers? Or is there a process for her to apply for an exclusion from the Trump White House?” asked Senator Warnock.
“The President has said that in connection with this action, he is not going to have exclusions or exemptions beyond what is in the program already for certain products,” responded Jamieson Greer.
“She might even go out of business,” said Senator Warnock.
Last week, Senator Warnock issued a statement following President Trump’s rollout of a sweeping new set of tariffs that raise the prices of everyday goods, everything from groceries to cars. In the statement opposing the tariff announcement, Senator Warnock highlighted the potential of the cost of living to go up as a result.
Watch the Senator’s full remarks and line of questioning HERE.
See below a transcript of Senator Warnock’s remarks:
Senator Reverend Warnock (SRW): “Since President Trump announced his tariffs last week, the stock market has dropped more than 10%, we’ve talked about that. I’m more concerned about the impact on ordinary people. This is a regressive tax. It’s a tax on families, who are already dealing with increasing costs and trying to figure out how to make their lives work. I heard you say that you don’t think we’re in a trade war. I respect your expertise on trade. But tomorrow, the Trump Administration will implement its reciprocal tariffs, which means businesses and families have had less than one week to plan for the largest tax increase in more than 50 years.”
“We are escalating. We can go back and forth about whether we think it is a trade war. I’m focused on how this is impacting families. Normally, when tariffs are being discussed, businesses and industries have time to plan. The government often provides an orderly and clear process for American companies to apply for exclusions from tariffs when it is not possible for them to sell a product without importing parts or all of it because no one manufactures it here. We all know uncertainty is the worst thing for business. I’m hearing this from farmers, from folks in the manufacturing sector. I hope we can provide some certainty.”
“What should a multinational retailer do about their products made only overseas, or that contain parts only made overseas? We are seeing this in our automotive sector in Georgia. Should they just raise their prices on families to account for the new tax, or is there a process for that company to reach out to the White House for an exclusion?”
United States Trade Representative Jamieson Greer (JG): “Senator Warnock, the section 232 on autos is a Commerce Department action. One thing they have done is they have said that they would be willing to give some kind of credit for U.S. Content in parts and components and they can approach the Commerce Department about this. It’s not a decision I’m making, but I know this is one alternative.”
“I am mindful, when I hear this, obviously, we are sensitive to these dynamics. It reminds me that we lost 5 million manufacturing jobs over the last 20 years. That’s part of the reason why we are in the situation now. We just have to bring those back. It’s important to bring those back now before the situation gets worse.”
SRW: “The question is: what do they do? Do they pass that price onto consumers?”
JG: “What we’ve seen Ford and GM, for example, have announced that they are giving discounts. That was the big news last week, last Thursday. They would be giving discounts going forward. These companies often are going figure out how they locate costs among themselves and it rarely gets down to consumers.”
SRW: “The company might figure it out.”
JG: “They can approach the Commerce Department.”
SRW: “Let me go smaller, last week, my office met with Angela Hawkins, she’s the founder of Bamblu, a small business in Atlanta that sells bamboo-based sleepwear and sheets particularly for people with severe and sensitive skin allergies like her husband. Angela’s products are made overseas because you can’t find bamboo fabric made in the United States. What should Angela do? Pay the new tax? Raise her prices and risk losing customers? Or is there a process for her to apply for an exclusion from the Trump White House?”
JG: “The President has said that in connection with this action, he is not going to have exclusions or exemptions beyond what is in the program already for certain products.”
SRW: “So she will just have to figure it out.”
JG: “She will have to work with her business partners and figure out outsourcing…”
SRW: “She’ll have to either raise prices and risk customers [is] basically the answer, right? Because she can’t get bamboo here.”
JG: “It will depend on the tariff rate. Every country has a different rate. Some are lower than others.”
SRW: “So she might even go out of business.”
“Let’s go even smaller. Early estimates show that President Trump’s tariffs will increase the costs of goods by $3,800 for the average American household. Many critical baby [gates] are produced abroad or have foreign-made components. I went through this not long ago as a parent of young children. For an expecting family in Augusta, Georgia, who may see a 50% price increase for that stroller or car seat, what is the process for that family to apply for a White House exclusion? I guess if the business owner can’t get one, they can’t get one either, correct?”
JG: “There’s not an exclusion process, that’s right.”
SRW: “So they would just bear the cost?”
JG: “I think the studies you’re talking about, the economists got it wrong in Trump one [first Trump Administration], they said that there would be inflation because of tariffs, and it when down. When I hear them saying the same thing, I don’t trust what they are saying. The fact of history shows that it’s not a one-to-one.”
“The highest inflation we ever saw was under [President] Biden for housing and education and health care, and all of these things. I don’t know where everybody was then, when that was skyrocketing.”
SRW: “What if their child is potassium deficient? And now bananas are more expensive. Last I checked, we don’t have the climate to grow bananas in the United States. Who should that family reach out to the White House for an exclusion for that price hike on those bananas?”
JG: “There’s not an exclusion process. I think we have waited too long with the status quo. I know people want the status quo…”
SRW: “Here, you and I agree. Nobody wants the status quo. This economy is not working for working families, for ordinary people. And I would submit that what the President did last week in such a reckless and sudden way is adding even more pressure on these families.”
The Monopoly Busters Caucus Will Fight Corporate Power and Promote a Pro-Worker, Pro-Consumer, Pro-Small Business Agenda
WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Representatives Chris Deluzio (PA-17), Pramila Jayapal (WA-07), Pat Ryan (NY-18), and Angie Craig (MN-02) are today launching the Monopoly Busters Caucus, a new caucus with nine Founding Members to fight corporate power and promote a pro-worker, pro-consumer, and pro-small business economic agenda.
“Monopolies have been rigging the system, crushing competition and small businesses, and ripping off the American people for decades. And for too long, politicians in Congress have let it happen,” said Congressman Deluzio. “We’re launching the Monopoly Busters Caucus today because we think that it’s long overdue for Congress to step up to take on consolidated corporate power and to reinvigorate American capitalism with competition. It’s our duty to help take the squeeze off of America’s workers, small businesses, and consumers and pave a path back to the American Dream. It’s time to get real, patriotic competition back in our economy.”
Congressman Deluzio was joined at the press conference by Jon and Bob Akanowicz, independent pharmacists and constituents who own Towne Drugs in Aspinwall, PA. Jon shared his experience of the pain that Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs) have brought to their business and their customers they help get their medicine. His remarks can be watchedhere.
“Something is wrong in this country when families go to the grocery store and can’t afford milk or eggs or cereal. As people struggle under the weight of inflation, corporate profits are higher than ever,”said Congresswoman Jayapal. “From rent to groceries, to health care — life in America has become unaffordable. The answer to why is simple: corporate monopolies. When we take on corporate power, we can make a meaningful difference in the everyday lives of working people across the country – and we must, the American people are counting on us.”
“When I talk with folks in the Hudson Valley, the number one thing I hear is frustration. Frustration that even though they’re working hard and doing everything that’s asked of them, they can’t afford to provide for their family – housing, health care, gas, groceries, utilities. It’s inherently un-American that only a select few are able to live out the American dream,” said Congressman Pat Ryan. “The reason for this is clear – in every one of those industries, we’ve let monopolies drive up costs and drive down quality, all while making record breaking profits. We’re gonna fight back against these big and powerful corporations, hold the bad actors accountable, and ultimately put power back where it belongs: with the American people.”
“As the top Democrat on the House Agriculture Committee, I have seen firsthand how consolidation in the ag industry is squeezing our family farmers and producers – and driving up costs for consumers too,” said Congresswoman Craig. “At a time when the Administration is launching our country headfirst into a global trade war, it’s more important than ever that we uplift small and local businesses right here at home. I’m proud to be joining Representatives Jayapal, Ryan and Deluzio to fight consolidation, strengthen the middle class and lower costs for producers and consumers.”
Throughout the pandemic and the inflation that followed, there was consistentreportingof large corporations price-gouging consumers, something they could do thanks to near-monopoly consolidation in many industries. For instance, in the cases of beef, baby food, pasta, and soda, more than 80 percent of the market is controlled byfourcompanies. Rigorous enforcement of our antitrust laws can fix this consolidation and ensure that our markets work for all people.
The Caucus’s founding Members represent a large swath of the ideological makeup of the Democratic Party, highlighting the unity around a strong economic prosperity message. Joining the co-chairs in founding the Caucus are Becca Balint (VT-AL), Greg Casar (TX-35), Maggie Goodlander (NH-02), Val Hoyle (OR-04), Kristen MacDonald Rivet (MI-08), Jerrold Nadler (NY-12), Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (NY-14), Jan Schakowsky (IL-09), and Nydia M. Velázquez (NY-07).
The full livestreamed launch event can be watchedhereand photos are availablehere.
Question for written answer E-001373/2025 to the Commission Rule 144 Barry Cowen (Renew)
The European Insurance and Occupational Pensions Authority (EIOPA) is seeking the power to intervene in cross-border insurance sales. The change sought will give EIOPA the same powers as national supervisory authorities.
There have been some striking examples of EIOPA being less than open and transparent regarding its operations. In the last parliamentary term, a report produced by EIOPA was not shared with Members, making it impossible for Parliament to reach an informed opinion on the case.
Will the Commission commit to establishing mandatory transparency requirements regarding any increase in EIOPA’s powers to intervene in cross-border insurance sales?
Question for written answer E-001321/2025 to the Commission Rule 144 Tiago Moreira de Sá (PfE), Tom Vandendriessche (PfE), Roberto Vannacci (PfE), Nicolas Bay (ECR), Nikola Bartůšek (PfE), Hermann Tertsch (PfE), Alexander Sell (ESN), António Tânger Corrêa (PfE), Zsuzsanna Borvendég (ESN), Diana Iovanovici Şoşoacă (NI), Malika Sorel (PfE), Irmhild Boßdorf (ESN)
The Commission is channelling millions of euro in EU taxpayers’ money into supporting South Africa, while politicians such as Julius Malema, a member of South Africa’s National Assembly and leader of the Economic Freedom Fighters party, sing murderous chants such as ‘Kill the Boer’, inciting the genocide of white farmers, and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa of the African National Congress stands by, complicit, as this minority is being destroyed. The Commission recently announced EUR 4.4 billion in support from the Global Gateway strategy for ‘fair and clean’ energy transition projects in South Africa. In this regard:
1.What financial and technical criteria have been adopted, providing all the effective cost-benefit studies, for the allocation of this Commission aid package to South Africa?
2.How is the Commission planning to protect the human rights of citizens of South Africa’s white minority against the violence to which they have been subjected, and against the new threats from several South African politicians?
3.How does this support for a regime that allows racial hatred fit into the specific principles of the Global Gateway, namely those concerning democracy, good governance and transparency, as well as the security of citizens?
Seven suspects are expected to appear in court soon after they were nabbed following police operations in Limpopo.
“Vala Umgodi Operations conducted in the Sekhukhune District in Limpopo led to the arrest of seven suspects for illegal mining of sand and possession of suspected precious minerals (raw Chrome), on Sunday, 06 April 2025, at [the] Nebo and Burgersfort Policing areas,” the South African Police Service (SAPS).
In its statement on Tuesday, the SAPS said a 36-year-old man was arrested for the possession of suspected stolen precious minerals (raw chrome) at Spitzkop Farm in the Burgesfort policing area.
“The suspect was found loading chrome in a yellow dumbbell truck. Another suspect aged 18 was arrested for contravention of immigration act in the area,” said the police.
Additionally, five suspects aged between 28 and 51, were nabbed for illegal mining of sand on Sunday, 06 April 2025, at Ga-Marishane Village in the Nebo policing area.
Members of Vala Umgodi Operation conducted a disruptive operation at the area when a group of people were noticed loading sand into a white leyman truck. Police confiscated three shovels and the truck that was loaded with sand.
“The suspects will appear before the local magistrate’s court soon. Police investigations are ongoing,” said the SAPS. –SAnews.gov.za
Union Agriculture Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan calls on Prime Minister of Nepal Shri K.P. Sharma Oli on the sidelines of 3rd BIMSTEC Ministerial meeting in Kathmandu. Shri Chouhan also holds bilateral meetings with Agriculture and Livestock Ministers of Nepal and Bhutan
Posted On: 09 APR 2025 8:43PM by PIB Delhi
Union Minister for Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare and Rural Development Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan led the Indian delegation during the bilateral meetings with Nepal and Bhutan. He was accompanied by the Ambassador of India to Nepal Shri Naveen Srivastava, Shri Samuel Praveen Kumar, Joint Secretary, DA&FW, Dr D.K. Yadava, Dy Director General (Crop Science), ICAR and Dr A.K. Mishra, Principal Scientist, ICAR in the meetings.
The bilateral meeting between Minister for Agriculture and Farmers’ welfare and rural development Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan and Shri Ramnath Adhikari, Minister for Agriculture and Livestock Development of Nepal was held today in Kathmandu. The Ministers reviewed bilateral cooperation in the field of agriculture and discussed ways to further enhance collaboration for mutual benefit of both nations.
A Memorandum of Understanding between the Governments of India and Nepal on cooperation in the field of Agriculture was signed. This MoU supersedes the MoU signed between both the countries on 6 December 1991. The MoU will give a fresh impetus to the ongoing cooperation especially in areas such as improving crop productivity, post-harvest management, agricultural research & capacity building, market access, agricultural trade as also climate resilient & sustainable agriculture.
Both sides discussed convening Joint Agriculture Working Group (JAWG) Meetings under the new MoU, and cooperation between the Indian Council for Agricultural Research (ICAR) and the Nepal Agricultural Research Council (NARC). Both the Ministers reviewed the progress of India’s proposal for setting up of an Agro-Industrial Park in Chitwan. The Ministers also reviewed progress of the Agricultural projects under India’s High Impact Community Development Project (HICDP) Programme in Nepal. Both sides also discussed cooperation in livestock sector and institutional collaboration between the agricultural educational institutions of both countries.
Union Minister Shri Chouhan called on Shri Indramani Pandey, the Secretary General, BIMSTEC and discussed possible areas of cooperation between India and the BIMSTEC platform in the field of agriculture. The Minister noted that the BIMSTEC countries face shared challenges such as climate change, resource scarcity, and issues related to food security and nutrition, which call for regional cooperation and exchange of learnings from each other’s experiences. He also noted that the BIMSTEC countries need to work together to successfully implement the BIMSTEC Plan of Action 2023-2027 that was collectively adopted in the 5th BIMSTEC Summit in 2022.
Minister reiterated India’s commitment to make meaningful contributions to strengthening BIMSTEC agricultural cooperation through ongoing initiatives like Govt. of India’s fully funded BIMSTEC Agricultural Scholarship Program, and training programmes and workshops on seed sector development, animal health and pest management, and emerging fields like nanotechnology management and applications of remote sensing in agriculture that were recently conducted. The Minister underlined India’s commitment in the establishment of the proposed BIMSTEC Centre of Excellence in Agriculture in New Delhi.
Minister Shri Chouhan held a bilateral meeting with Mr Lyonpo Younten Phuntsho, Minister for Agriculture and Livestock (MOAL) of Bhutan. The Ministers reviewed bilateral cooperation in the field of Agriculture, livestock and allied sectors with focus on areas like development of irrigation channels, mega farms etc. The Ministers also discussed about signing a MoU on technical cooperation between the two countries soon.
Minister stressed on India’s commitment in furthering India’s ties with Bhutan. The Bhutanese side stressed on resource constraints and requested the Indian side for augmenting its funding support to Bhutanese initiatives.
Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan called on Shri K.P. Sharma Oli, Prime Minister of Nepal. The two leaders reaffirmed the close and friendly relations between India and Nepal and discussed ways to further strengthen India-Nepal cooperation in the field of agriculture. The Ministers conveyed hope that the newly signed MoU will pave way for increased cooperation between both the countries in the field of agriculture and allied sectors.
Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan reiterated India’s commitment to support Nepal in agriculture and allied sectors through setting up of an agro-industrial park in Chitwan and a fertilizer plant in Nepal. Both sides also discussed market access issues.
RBI Cuts Repo Rate to 6%, Projects 6.5% GDP Growth for FY 2025-26
Introduction
The Monetary Policy Committee (MPC), in its 54th meeting and the first of the financial year 2025–26, unanimously decided to reduce the policy repo rate by 25 basis points, bringing it down to 6 per cent with immediate effect. The repo rate is the rate at which the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) lends money to commercial banks, and a cut in this rate is aimed at boosting lending and investment. This decision comes at a time when global economic conditions are becoming increasingly uncertain. Trade tensions have resurfaced, leading to a decline in crude oil prices, weakening of the US dollar, softening bond yields, and corrections in equity markets. While central banks across the world are adjusting their policies to address domestic concerns, they are doing so cautiously.
Within India, the outlook has shown signs of improvement. Inflation, particularly food inflation, has declined more than expected, offering some relief, though global and weather-related risks remain. Growth is recovering after a weak first half in the previous financial year, but it still falls short of the country’s potential. The Monetary Policy Report of April 2025, released alongside the MPC resolution, also outlines the GDP growth forecast and inflation projection for the coming months. This year also marks a milestone for the RBI as it completes 90 years since its establishment on 1st April 1935. Over the decades, it has evolved into a full-service central bank, balancing its roles of managing inflation, supporting growth, and ensuring financial stability.
Key Policy Decisions
The Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) unanimously decided to reduce the policy repo rate by 25 basis points, bringing it down to 6 per cent with immediate effect. The repo rate is the rate at which the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) lends money to commercial banks.
As a result, the Standing Deposit Facility (SDF) rate under the Liquidity Adjustment Facility (LAF) has been adjusted to 5.75 per cent. The SDF allows banks to park excess funds with the RBI without any collateral.
The Marginal Standing Facility (MSF) rate and the Bank Rate have both been revised to 6.25 per cent. MSF stands for Marginal Standing Facility, a provision made by the RBI that enables scheduled commercial banks to obtain overnight liquidity if inter-bank funds completely dry up. It is an emergency facility that allows banks to borrow at a rate higher than the repo rate.
These rate adjustments are consistent with the RBI’s objective of achieving the Consumer Price Index (CPI) inflation target of 4 per cent, within a flexible band of ±2 per cent, while also supporting economic growth.
Growth Assessment
The Reserve Bank of India has projected real GDP growth at 6.5 per cent for 2025–26, maintaining the same rate as estimated for 2024–25, following a strong expansion of 9.2 per cent in the preceding year. The quarterly projections stand at 6.5 per cent in Q1, 6.7 per cent in Q2, 6.6 per cent in Q3, and 6.3 per cent in Q4. This marks a downward revision of 20 basis points from the February estimate, reflecting heightened global volatility. Agriculture remains on a positive footing, supported by healthy reservoir levels and robust crop production, which is expected to sustain rural demand. Manufacturing is showing early signs of revival amid improved business sentiment, and the services sector continues to demonstrate resilience.
On the investment side, activity is gaining pace on the back of higher capacity utilisation, continued government focus on infrastructure, and strong balance sheets of banks and corporates. Easing financial conditions have also aided this recovery. While services exports are likely to remain steady, merchandise exports could face headwinds from global uncertainties and trade disruptions. Looking ahead, the RBI has projected real GDP growth at 6.7 per cent for 2026–27, suggesting continued recovery momentum.
Inflation Outlook
Headline inflation eased during January and February 2025, driven by a sharp decline in food prices. With uncertainties around the rabi crop largely resolved, and second advance estimates indicating record wheat output and higher pulse production than last year, food inflation is expected to soften further. This favourable trend is supported by robust kharif arrivals and a sharp fall in inflation expectations over the next three and twelve months, as reflected in recent surveys. The decline in crude oil prices has further strengthened the disinflationary outlook. Accordingly, Consumer Price Index (CPI) inflation for 2025–26 is projected at 4.0 per cent, with quarterly estimates at 3.6 per cent in Q1, 3.9 per cent in Q2, 3.8 per cent in Q3, and 4.4 per cent in Q4.
While the inflation outlook appears stable, global uncertainties and the possibility of weather-related supply shocks continue to pose upside risks to the inflation path. The Reserve Bank of India has assumed a normal monsoon in framing its projections, and it considers the risks to be evenly balanced at this stage.
External Sector Snapshot
Robust Services and Remittances: Services exports remained strong in January–February 2025, led by software, business, and transportation services. Net services and remittance receipts are expected to remain in large surplus, cushioning the merchandise trade deficit.
Sustainable Current Account Deficit: The current account deficit (CAD) for both 2024–25 and 2025–26 is projected to stay well within sustainable levels, supported by resilient external inflows.
Mixed Investment Flows: While gross FDI remained strong due to stable macroeconomic fundamentals, net FDI moderated because of higher repatriations and outward investments. Net FPI inflows touched USD 1.7 billion in 2024–25, driven by debt inflows despite equity outflows.
Healthy Forex Reserves: As of April 4, 2025, India’s foreign exchange reserves stood at USD 676.3 billion, offering an import cover of nearly 11 months and reflecting the strength of the external sector.
Liquidity and Financial Market Conditions
Liquidity Shortage and RBI Intervention: In January 2025, the banking system faced a shortage of funds, known as a liquidity deficit. To address this, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) provided up to ₹3.1 lakh crore on 23rd January through the Liquidity Adjustment Facility (LAF) – a tool that allows banks to borrow money from the RBI for short periods to manage temporary mismatches in cash flow.
Improved Liquidity Position: The RBI later infused about ₹6.9 lakh crore into the system, and increased government spending in late March helped further. These actions improved the situation, and by 7th April 2025, the system had a liquidity surplus of ₹1.5 lakh crore – meaning there was more money available in banks for lending and investment.
Softening of Market Rates: With more liquidity available, the Weighted Average Call Rate (WACR) – the average interest rate at which banks lend to each other overnight – declined and hovered close to the repo rate, which is the interest rate at which the RBI lends money to commercial banks. This indicates stable short-term borrowing costs.
Lower Funding Costs in Debt Market: The difference between interest rates on Commercial Papers (CPs) and Certificates of Deposit (CDs) – short-term borrowing instruments used by companies and banks – and the 91-day Treasury Bill – a short-term government security – reduced. This narrowing of spreads means that borrowing became cheaper in financial markets. The RBI has stated it will continue to monitor these conditions and take action as needed to maintain sufficient liquidity.
Conclusion
The Monetary Policy Report of April 2025, released alongside the 54th meeting of the Monetary Policy Committee, reflects a balanced approach by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to support growth while maintaining price stability. The decision to cut the policy repo rate by 25 basis points to 6 per cent is underpinned by easing inflation, particularly in food prices, and a gradual recovery in economic activity. With GDP growth for 2025–26 projected at 6.5 per cent and inflation expected to remain within the 4 per cent target band, the report signals cautious optimism despite global uncertainties.
On the external front, robust services exports and strong remittance inflows have helped cushion the merchandise trade deficit, keeping the current account deficit at sustainable levels. Meanwhile, improved system liquidity, lower short-term borrowing costs, and stable foreign exchange reserves underscore the resilience of India’s financial system. The RBI has affirmed its commitment to closely monitor evolving conditions and take timely, calibrated measures to preserve macroeconomic and financial stability.
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
SEE’s opening remarks on food safety and environmental hygiene at LegCo Finance Committee special meeting Thank you Chairman and Honourable Members.
The Environment and Ecology Bureau is committed to ensuring food safety and environmental hygiene as well as promoting the sustainable development of the local agriculture and fisheries industries.
In the 2025-26 Estimates, about $12.32 billion is earmarked for recurrent expenditure in the policy portfolio of Environment and Food, representing an increase of about $50 million (0.4 per cent) over the previous year and accounting for about 2.1 per cent of the recurrent expenditure of the Government. To improve environmental hygiene more effectively, we conducted a comprehensive review of environmental hygiene-related legislation and put forward relevant amendments. First, we raised the fixed penalty levels for offences such as littering and shopfront extensions to enhance the deterrent effect in 2023. In the year that followed, the number of fixed penalty notices issued against shopfront extensions was 90 per cent less than that in the previous year. In 2024, we further introduced the second-stage legislative amendments to enhance enforcement effectiveness. The amendments, if passed by the LegCo, can take effect in the third quarter of this year. Departments will then be able to handle shopfront extensions more efficiently and expedite investigations into public health nuisances such as water seepage in buildings, water dripping from air-conditioners and “garbage apartments”.
As regards environmental hygiene services, the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) has actively stepped up cleansing and enforcement at about 240 hygiene blackspots under its purview. The conditions of most of the blackspots have been markedly improved, and follow-up work will be carried out on an ongoing basis. In addition, the FEHD has enhanced its anti-rodent work. Using various tools and methods such as new design snap traps and T-shaped bait boxes, the FEHD captured 89 600 live rodents in 2024, representing an increase of about 165 per cent as compared with 2021. In the same year, the FEHD made full use of technology by adopting thermal imaging cameras and artificial intelligence technology in conducting rodent activity surveys, to track rodent activities in a more precise manner and carry out targeted work. Among the 90 locations with active rodent activities identified in the first half of 2024, nearly 90 per cent of the conditions have been improved. We have also continued to implement the Cross-sectoral Territory-wide Anti-rodent Action to co-ordinate anti-rodent efforts among different sectors in the community, including property management companies, market/hawker stalls, the catering industry, the construction sector and the pest control trade. In 2024, we launched the Anti-rodent Charter for private residential buildings to bolster anti-rodent efforts, with 607 applications received in just two and a half months. We will continue to work hand in hand with stakeholders to create a rodent-free environment.
As regards food business licences, the FEHD launched a series of facilitating measures for the trade. For example, we expanded the scope of the Professional Certification System to cover general restaurants, so that applicants may choose a “licence first, inspection later” approach and obtain a licence about 14 days earlier. Besides, we introduced the “Composite Permit” which covers multiple restricted foods, to spare shop operators the effort to apply for a separate permit for each food item. The new measure is well received, with about 100 applications received in the first quarter. We will continue to keep a close watch on the needs of the trade and proactively improve the regime.
New public markets and Market Modernisation Programme (MMP)
In 2024, the FEHD took forward the stall enhancement project in the Queen Street Cooked Food Market under the MMP to improve its operating environment through repair and beautification works. The Queen Street Cooked Food Market resumed operation in September 2024, with footfall increased by about 20 per cent as compared with that before the works. Stall tenants indicated that the enhancement works have improved the operating environment. Many members of the public have also expressed that the enhanced cooked food market offers a contemporary feel and a clean and comfortable dining environment. The FEHD will identify other suitable venues for similar works. In addition, the FEHD continues to take forward the new market projects in Tin Shui Wai, Area 67 of Tseung Kwan O and Kwu Tung North New Development Area, with expected completion dates ranging from end-2027 to end-2028.
Agriculture and fisheries development On the agriculture front, the Government has reserved land in Sheung Shui for the construction of Hong Kong’s first multi-storey modernised and environment-friendly livestock farm by the trade, the site formation works for which are expected to be completed within 2026. The AFCD will invite open applications for the construction and operation of the concerned livestock farm shortly so that interested agricultural associations/enterprises may apply. The selected organisation may apply for financial support from the Sustainable Agricultural Development Fund. Moreover, to promote the development of leisure farming, the AFCD launched the Agri enJoy Scheme in June 2024 to facilitate farms engaged in commercial agricultural production to offer leisure farming activities as ancillary businesses. As at February 2025, 83 eligible farmers have joined this scheme.
Furthermore, the AFCD strives to set up a unified new brand for local agricultural and fisheries products and establish production standards, farming methods, as well as a certification and traceability system in the upcoming financial year (2025-26), with a view to promoting local agricultural and fisheries products and enhancing their brand value and competitiveness in the market.
Chairman, my colleagues and I are happy to answer questions from Members. Issued at HKT 19:17
Source: United States Senator for Iowa Chuck Grassley
WASHINGTON – Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), a senior member and former chairman of the Senate Finance Committee and a lifelong family farmer, today questioned U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) Jamieson Greer about the impact of and goals for tariff usage. As one immediate way to support farmers, Grassley is calling on the administration to restore integrity to the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) by raising Renewable Volume Obligation (RVO) levels for biomass-based diesel and advanced biofuels.
In response to Grassley, Greer reiterated President Trump’s recent comments that he is “happy to engage in negotiations immediately with countries that believe that they can help us reduce our deficit and get rid of non-tariff barriers…” Further, Greer noted that tariff negotiations will happen “country by country.”
Video and excerpts of Grassley’s questions follow.
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VIDEO
On U.S. Trade with China:
“I support President Trump’s agenda to lower tariffs and non-tariff barriers other countries impose on American goods. I support President Trump’s agenda to get a better deal from China and other countries for our farmers and manufacturers.
“In fact, even back in 2003, I sent a letter to the Chinese Minister of Commerce at that time pointing out China’s failure to live up to its World Trade Organization (WTO) obligations. And then, I went further in 2018 when I was on Senator Daines’ CODEL. I told top Chinese leaders I made a mistake supporting China in the WTO.”
On Goals for Tariffs:
“So far in this administration, we’ve seen even more sweeping tariffs, with some countries already retaliating [against] agriculture, including China. I have been very vocal in my wait-and-see approach to these tariffs because I believe President Trump and you, Mr. Ambassador, are using them to get fairer trade for Americans with many countries. If that’s not the case, level with me.
…
“My question to you is, in the medium to the long term, do you plan to turn these tariffs into trade deals to reduce tariffs and non-tariff barriers? I support that. On the other hand, if the purpose is to stall on negotiations in order to keep tariffs high for the sole purpose of feeding the U.S. Treasury, I oppose that.”
On Support for Farmers:
“We all know agriculture is usually the first place of retaliation. In response to Chinese retaliation to tariffs, the first Trump administration set up the Market Facilitation Program for farmers, which gave direct payments to farmers affected by the tariffs. This helped farmers weather the short-term impact of trade retaliation. But as you know, farmers still overwhelmingly want to get their money from the marketplace and not from a government check.”
On Restoring Integrity to the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS):
“To help farmers in the meantime, instead of relying on payments from the government, I’m going to give a suggestion … The administration could move very quickly to increase RVOs on the Renewable Fuel Standard so that farmers get more robust domestic markets for their crops. And one place to start would be where the Biden administration came up short with RVOs, only three and 1/10th billion over a three-year period of time on biodiesel, to make that 5.3 [billion] as far as you can see into the future. And that would very dramatically increase soybean prices.”
On Congress’ Authority to Regulate Interstate and Foreign Commerce:
“I made very clear throughout my public service that I’m a free and fair trader. The Constitution gives Congress the authority to regulate interstate and foreign commerce. I believe that Congress delegated too much authority to the president in the Trade Expansion Act of 1962 and Trade Act of 1974.”
Source: United States Senator for Iowa Chuck Grassley
WASHINGTON – Senate Agriculture Committee Members Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) and Roger Marshall (R-Kan.) introduced legislation to strike down California’s Proposition 12 and its burdensome regulatory overreach. The Food Security and Farm Protection Act would prohibit any state or local government from interfering with commerce and agricultural practices in another state outside their jurisdiction.
“California’s Proposition 12, along with Massachusetts’ Question 3, are based on arbitrary, nonsensical standards and have resulted in a harmful patchwork of regulations across the 50 states, and risk pushing smaller hog producers out of business. They’re a threat to Iowa, which leads the nation in pork production, and to farmers and consumers across this country. Consistent with its authorities under the Commerce Clause, it’s time for Congress to solve this problem by passing legislation. Our bill will end California’s war on breakfast and make sure delicious Iowa pork can be sold everywhere,” Grassley said.
“Proposition 12 is dangerous and arbitrary overregulation that stands in direct opposition to the livelihoods of Iowa pork producers, increases costs for both farmers and consumers, and jeopardizes our nation’s food security,” Ernst said. “I’m proud to be leading the charge to strike down this harmful measure and will keep fighting to make sure the voices of the farmers and experts who know best – not liberal California activists – are heard.”
“The United States is constantly faced with non-tariff trade barriers from protectionist countries, which hurts American agriculture’s access to new markets. The last thing we need is for states like California imposing its will on ag-heavy states like Kansas with regulations that will also restrict our ability to trade among the states,” Marshall said. “Midwest farmers and ranchers who produce our nation’s food supply should not be hamstrung by coastal activist agendas that dictate production standards from hundreds of miles away, and I am proud to support this legislation that gives Kansas agriculture producers the freedom to produce safe, affordable food for all.”
Background:
Grassley has consistently opposed regulatory overreach in America’s heartland, like California’s Proposition 12 and Massachusetts’ Question 3. Grassley cosponsored similar legislation last Congress, and in a Des Moines Register op-ed, wrote, “We don’t tell California grape or almond growers how to produce wine or almond butter, so Iowa producers would appreciate not being told how to raise livestock.”
When the Supreme Court chose to uphold Prop 12, Grassley opposed the decision. In its ruling, the Court cited the Commerce Clause and opened the door for future legislative solutions to address the situation. Article I, Section 8 of the U.S. Constitution grants Congress explicit commerce authorities, stating the legislative branch has the power to “regulate Commerce with foreign Nations and among the several States.”
Source: United States Senator for Iowa Chuck Grassley
Download broadcast quality video HERE
WASHINGTON – Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee and a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, joined Sens. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) and Peter Welch (D-Vt.) to introduce bipartisan legislation that would beef up enforcement of anticompetitive practices in the consolidated meatpacking industry, aiding cattle producers and bringing down prices at the meat counter.
The Meat and Poultry Special Investigator Act would strengthen the enforcement of the Stockyards and Packers Act by adding a team of investigators equipped with subpoena power within the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to ensure compliance by America’s meatpacking industry.
“For decades, America’s Big Four meatpackers’ anticompetitive practices have made it harder for Iowa cattle producers to receive a fair price,” Grassley said. “Our bill empowers USDA, in coordination with the Justice Department and Federal Trade Commission, to crack down on bad actors, ensuring a fair and functional marketplace that supports everyone who produces and enjoys quality American meat.”
“For too long, Oregon ranchers and consumers have been greedily exploited by the Big Four meatpackers that sneak their way around regulations,” Wyden said. “While local ranchers work tirelessly day and night to support their small business and feed families across the country, these big companies keep raking in bigger bills at the expense of local communities in red and blue states alike. It’s way past time to level the playing field for local ranchers and bring grocery prices down for consumers at the meat counter by better enforcing laws that are already on the books.”
“Anticompetitive practices in the meatpacking industry hurt producers and consumers alike,”Rounds said. “Currently, four large companies, two of which are foreign-owned, control over 80% of the meat processing market. Our legislation would establish an office within the USDA to investigate violations of the Packers and Stockyards Act of 1921, which will support competition in meat and poultry markets.”
“Vermonters rely on fresh foods from local farmers and ranchers to feed their families,”Welch said. “But with meat and dairy prices at the grocery store soaring sky high, small producers across the country are struggling to make ends meet and support their businesses. The rapid consolidation of the meatpacking industry further cripples fair competition. Our bipartisan bill will bring down costs for consumers and create opportunities for producers in red and blue states alike.”
The Meat and Poultry Special Investigator Act is endorsed by the National Farmers Union and the U.S. Cattlemen’s Association.
“If the bad actors in the marketplace have nothing to hide, then they should have no problem with reinforcing USDA’s oversight authority through the measures provided in this bill. It’s not enough that producers stand on a level playing field in the marketplace – there also needs to be a referee, with a whistle, there to throw a flag when there’s a penalty. USCA fully supports the Meat Packing Special Investigator Act and would like to applaud our Champions for ‘Competition’ in the Senate who never waver on supporting producers not just in Oregon, South Dakota, and Iowa – but across the countryside,” said Justin Tupper, President of the United States Cattlemen’s Association.
“A special investigator at USDA is an important step to cracking down on unfair practices and leveling the playing field for independent livestock producers. Senators Wyden, Rounds, and Grassley get it—strong enforcement keeps monopolies in check. When family farmers and ranchers thrive, so do our rural communities,” said Rob Larew, President of the National Farmers Union.
Background:
Today, just four companies control 85% of the beef market and 67% of the pork market. That’s a significant increase from 36% and 34% in 1980. The Big Four meatpackers have created a distorted marketplace through anticompetitive practices while turning big profits at the expense of livestock and poultry producers.
Additional cosponsors include Sens. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.), Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), John Hoeven (R-N.D.) and Cory Booker (D-N.J.).
Click HERE for broadcast quality video of Grassley discussing the legislation.
Source: United States Senator for Kansas Roger Marshall
Washington – U.S. Senator Roger Marshall, M.D. (R-Kansas) joined The Bottom Line on Fox Business to discuss President Donald Trump’s America First trade policy, tariffs, and tax cuts.
Senator Marshall emphasized that President Trump’s tariffs are just the beginning of trade negotiations to bring back American jobs and ensure our ranchers and farmers are not being taken advantage of. He also highlighted the importance of saving taxpayer dollars and making President Trump’s tax cuts permanent through the budget reconciliation process.
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You may click HERE or on the image above to watch Senator Marshall’s full interview.
Highlights from Senator Marshall’s interview include:
On leveling the playing field for American manufacturing and agriculture:
“American manufacturing [and] agriculture has not been treated fairly for decades. It’s not fair that Europe charges my farmers and ranchers a 50% tariff. India, 100%. Canada, 200%. Look, we can’t sell a cheeseburger, not one cheeseburger in Europe, in Russia, Australia, or China. That’s what’s not fair.
“And we have a president now who is going to stand up and fight. Look, this game is early. This is just the top of the first inning of trade negotiations. We’re going to bring jobs back, and we’re going to get new and improved reciprocal trade agreements done.”
On nontariff barriers:
“Right now, the EU [is] saying a 0% tariff, but they’re not going to let us sell any beef there. They’re not going to let us sell any wheat there as well. They’re going to use sanitary, phytosanitary rules, regulations that are going to keep American beef, American agriculture products out of there. So they’re going to do other methods other than just the tariff. The nontariff barriers, I think is actually the bigger problem.”
On making President Trump’s tax cuts permanent:
“I think that we could use all the certainty we can get right now. Making the Trump tax cuts permanent… would be a thrill for all, for all of us. I’m even willing to talk about lowering the corporate rate from 21% to 15%. You want to do something to stimulate the stock market, that’s what we can talk about. So this is definitely a tool in the president’s toolbox, and I’m willing to use it.”
On the federal government’s spending problem:
“I think that all of us agree that the federal government has a spending problem and not a taxing problem. In all of my conversations with the president, he’s focused on making his Trump tax cuts permanent. He’s focused on extending the debt limit. He’s focused on adding no tax on tips, no tax on overtime, no tax on Social Security. That’s what the president is talking about when I’m around him.”
On the market’s reaction to tariffs:
“I also think that we need to be this in for the long haul. I think that this is that the market is… overreacting right now. Again, this is the first inning of a long ball game. I think it’s a great time to buy. And actually, I have more of my friends that are saying, you know, “Is this the bottom of the market? Is this the time to buy?” I believe in America. I think that our best days are ahead of us yet, and then I’m in this for the long haul.”
Source: United States Senator Ben Ray Luján (D-New Mexico)
Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) and U.S. Representative Teresa Leger Fernández (D-N.M.) reintroduced the New Mexico Land Grant-Mercedes Historical or Traditional Use Cooperation and Coordination Act to provide greater cooperation between the federal government and land grant communities. There are 27 community land grant-mercedes that are recognized as political subdivisions under New Mexico law.
Federal agencies have consistently sought to work more closely with these land grant-mercedes, as the majority of them maintain historical or traditional uses on public lands managed by the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) and the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). The BLM and the USFS require the public, including land grant-mercedes, to seek authorization for certain public land uses, while other uses do not require authorization. The approval and permitting process is complex, and in the past, confusion and lack of coordination have resulted in adverse impacts on the historical or traditional uses of political subdivision land grant-mercedes.
In March 2022, the House Natural Resources Subcommittee on National Parks, Forest, and Public Lands held a hearing on a previous version of the legislation. In June 2022, the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on Public Lands, Forests, and Mining held a hearing on the legislation. In July 2022, the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources unanimously passed the legislation, and in December 2022, the Senate passed the legislation unanimously. As a member of the U.S. House of Representatives during the 116th Congress, Senator Luján unanimously passed similar legislation through the House to make it easier for land grant-mercedes to work with federal land management agencies.
“I’m proud to reintroduce legislation that strengthens cooperation between the federal government and land grant communities, which are an essential part of New Mexico’s history and culture. These communities have cared for our land for generations, and preserving that connection is crucial for our land and cultural heritage,” said Luján, member of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry. “This legislation ensures that the federal government considers historical traditional uses in federal land management planning, helping to protect these valuable traditions for future generations.”
“Land grant communities represent farmers and ranchers, families, and elders. They care for and sustain our lands,”said Leger Fernández. “The New Mexico Land Grant Council’s work to advocate for their communities is a perfect example of the beauty of democracy in action. Today, we are taking steps to improve cooperation and communication between federal agencies and our land grant communities to make sure these communities can access lands for the historical and traditional uses they have been practicing for centuries.”
“The introduction of the New Mexico Land Grant-Mercedes Historical or Traditional Use Cooperation and Coordination Act by Senator Luján and Representative Leger Fernández is a positive first step in addressing longstanding issues stemming from the implementation of the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo,” said New Mexico Land Grant Council Chair Juan Sánchez. “For more than a century Spanish and Mexican land grant communities in the New Mexico have struggled to ensure recognition, protection and access to natural resources located on their former common lands now managed by the federal government. These natural resources play a vital role in maintaining the traditional use practices that sustain the socio-economic and cultural integrity of many New Mexico communities. This bill will provide for greater cooperation and coordination between land grant-mercedes and the federal land management agencies.”
The New Mexico Land Grant-Mercedes Historical or Traditional Use Cooperation and Coordination Act:
Directs the United States Department of the Interior (DOI) and Department of Agriculture (USDA), through a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the New Mexico Land Grant Council, to clarify existing agency processes that qualified land grant-mercedes may use to seek authorization for historical or traditional uses on Federal public lands, including permit requirements and associated fees;
Clarifies that the MOU does not directly authorize any uses or activities on Federal public lands;
Directs the DOI and USDA to consult with Tribes when the MOU is entered into, extended, renewed or revised;
Ensures that the MOU contains a description of the notice and comment procedures on agency land management planning decisions, and that qualified land grant-mercedes, the New Mexico Land Grant Council, and Tribes are notified of opportunities to comment on and be involved in agency land management planning decisions; and
Requires the DOI and the USDA to evaluate impacts on historical or traditional uses in Federal land use planning.
A summary of the bill is available HERE. Full text of the legislation is available HERE.
New Zealand has granted legal personhood to the Whanganui River.Ron Kolet / shutterstock
Most rivers need some human help to stay clean and healthy and to flow freely. People have to fish out litter, block sewage, look out for invasive species and so on.
This is obvious enough. But, as rivers are increasingly being granted legal rights of their own, they’ll need another form of human help: people willing to be their legal representatives, filing lawsuits and speaking in court.
The idea that nature should be granted rights similar to that of a human (sometimes described as “legal personhood”) has been around for a few decades now. Though some lakes, forests and other features have been awarded these rights, it’s rivers that are the main beneficiaries. Most recently, the River Ouse in East Sussex, England, was awarded rights by its local council, following similar moves in places as diverse as New Zealand, Ecuador, Canada and India.
“Rivers often have strong cultural and spiritual identities as sacred living entities or life-giving beings. These existential understandings have underpinned legal actions.” That’s according to Nick Mount, a rivers expert at the University of Nottingham.
Back in 2017, Mount travelled to Colombia to visit the River Atrato. The Atrato flows through a remote and highly biodiverse jungle, in a region which at the time remained a paramilitary stronghold. The country’s constitutional court had recently awarded the river humans rights and Mount wanted to see what that meant in practice.
“The Atrato River has been awarded rights,” he said, “because of what it provides for human life – not because it should be equated with human life”. He continued “this places a significant burden on the Colombian state to ensure the rights are enforced – and it demands that local people are empowered to manage their river properly”.
However, “the reality was sobering”. He found deforested riverbanks, so contaminated with chemicals that plants could not regrow. He found industrial dredging had reshaped an entire river to the point where its regular nutrient-cycling floods had broken down entirely, while whole human communities had been displaced.
“The Atrato River in general, and [its tributary] the Rio Quito in particular, serve as a stark reminder that awarding environmental rights is not the same as realising them. Such rights don’t exist within a vacuum, of course, and they will only be fulfilled if political, socio-economic and cultural systems support them.”
So what might a more supportive human system involve? Oluwabusayo Wuraola is a law lecturer at Anglia Ruskin University. Writing about the recent River Ouse news, she agrees with Mount that “simply granting a river some rights isn’t enough” and adds that “we now need to think about who will actually defend these rights”.
The River Ouse, playing hide and seek. Melanie Hobson / shutterstock
“Appointing representatives who care about their own personal and property interests would be a grave mistake, as would appointing anyone who prioritises the rights of humans to a healthy environment over a more intrinsic right of nature (remember: the idea is that the River Ouse has rights in itself and shouldn’t need to demonstrate its worth to humans).”
In her analysis, “the most effective defenders of the rights of nature in many court cases” have been people with an “ecocentric perspective”. That means an outlook that prioritises the intrinsic value of nature itself, rather than focusing on how it can serve human interests. She cites instances where the supposed advocates for a river’s rights in court were actually motivated by wanting to protect their own property downstream.
Ultimately, though “moves to give rights to nature are promising … we’ll need a whole army of nature protectors to actually enforce those rights”.
These ideas can be applied to rivers in the news right now. For instance, China recently approved the construction of the world’s largest hydroelectric dam on the Yarlung Tsangpo river in Tibet.
The dam will provide enormous amounts of clean energy – when complete, it will be the world’s largest power plant by some distance. But it will also displace people, destroy ecosystems and, of course, disrupt the river itself.
Mehebub Sahana, a geographer at the University of Manchester, points out the effects may be especially severe downstream in India and Bangladesh, where that same river is known as the Brahmaputra and helps form a vast and incredibly fertile delta system.
For him, the dam highlights “some of the geopolitical issues raised by rivers that cross international borders”. “Who owns the river itself,” he asks, “and who has the right to use its water? Do countries have obligations not to pollute shared rivers, or to keep their shipping lanes open? And when a drop of rain falls on a mountain, do farmers in a different country thousands of miles downstream have a claim to use it?”
These are crucial questions, even if they’re ultimately framed around humans. An ecocentric representative might argue the Yarlung Tsangpo/Brahmaputra has an intrinsic right to flow undisturbed and to dump its sediment where it pleases.
There may be a happy medium. Viktoria Kahui is an environmental economist at the University of Otago in New Zealand. Last year, she investigated 14 examples of rights-of-nature from around the world.
She found a “fundamental divide between local communities and external economic interests”. In some cases, interest groups were able to overturn the provision of nature rights.
She therefore recommends that “future rights-of-nature frameworks need to … include appointed guardians, established as separate legal entities with limited liability, as well as the support of representatives from interest groups”.
In the Yarlung Tsangpo/Brahmaputra example, those interest groups might include rice farmers and mangrove conservationists in Bangladesh, or fishermen a thousand miles upstream. They might include the millions of people who would gain electricity, or the thousands who would lose their homes. The river itself could also be an interested party, perhaps via eco-centric human representatives.
Exactly where you draw the line in these cases is tricky. But with rivers increasingly being granted legal rights, this isn’t the last you’ll hear of this issue.
The City of Edinburgh Council is now accepting applications for its Community Grants Fund (CGF), offering grants of up to £5,000 to support community work in neighbourhoods across Edinburgh.
The Community Grants Fund (CGF) is a small grants scheme designed to empower local communities and support grassroots initiatives. Grants of up to £5,000 are available to constituted groups for community-based activities, with 13 local funds corresponding to different areas of the city. If you are part of a community group with a project in mind, you may be eligible to apply to your local fund.
The CGF has previously supported a variety of important projects, including the Grassmarket Community Cinema Project, bespoke driven bikes for North Edinburgh Dementia Care and a a community orchard group at Lauriston Farm – and your project could be next!
Councillor Val Walker, Culture and Communities Convener, said:
Community-driven projects have the power to transform neighbourhoods and improve lives. Our communities are the lifeblood of our city, and we are committed to ensuring they have the resources they need to turn their ideas into reality. The Community Grant Fund offers a valuable opportunity to make a meaningful impact. I’m excited to see the incredible projects that will emerge from this round of applications.
The deadline for applications is midnight on Wednesday, 30th April 2025.
All applications will be reviewed in June, and successful applicants will be notified soon after.
Quotes from past participants:
North Edinburgh Dementia Care (Craigentinny Duddingston) Project: To trial a project getting older isolated people with a diagnosis of dementia out and about in the community using bespoke driven bikes.
Quote: “The grant has enabled us to work in partnership with Joy Rides to deliver an outdoor bike program to our service users, who have a diagnosis of dementia. Service users enjoyed a ride on a trishaw which is a customised electric bike with a driver cycling from behind. Promoting their health & wellbeing and reducing isolation being outdoors in the fresh air, making them visible in their own community. The project enabled people who were no longer able to cycle independently to feel the wind in their hair and the exhilaration of the travelling on a bike through beautiful areas, in a safe, secure and supported environment.” (quote from participant)
Grassmarket Community Project (City Centre) Project: Funding to hire a cinema director and two projectionists part-time to continue their valuable work curating and delivering a weekly film programme for the Community Picture House. Quotes: “In summary, the Grassmarket Community Picture House played a pivotal role in enhancing the lives of its attendees by providing social interaction, cultural enrichment, and access to support services. This initiative promoted positive social engagement, reduced isolation, and empowered individuals to build connections and grow within a supportive community environment.” (quote from participant)
Edinburgh Agroecology- Lauriston Farm (Almond) Project: to develop a community orchard group Quote: “The Orchard project is beneficial to the community on many levels. Not only is it an investment in future fruit production, it is also where the wider community, especially children, can learn so much about natural food sources and the splendid variety of fruits. For the group directly involved, the orchard is a joyful space for creativity and learning about simple, natural and organic technologies. The collaboration and commitment of stalwart Orchard Group Members combined with dedication of the directors of Lauriston Farm is second to none.” (quote from participant)
Saskatchewan Distance Learning Centre (Sask DLC) and Saskatchewan Polytechnic (Sask Polytech) are providing high school students with the opportunity to get practical, hands-on learning in the autobody field.
Through a one-day learning camp at the Sask Polytech Regina Campus, students taking online autobody courses have the opportunity to learn from Sask Polytech instructors and hear from industry experts.
“Sask DLC is committed to offering high-quality learning opportunities for high school students exploring potential career paths,” Minister Responsible for Sask DLC Everett Hindley said. “The automotive industry remains a key driver in our province, and through our partnerships, we are pleased to see students that are interested in this field gain valuable hands-on experience that will help them succeed as they move from high school into their future careers.”
The Sask DLC and Sask Polytech learning camp provides students from across the province with opportunities to learn about potential career paths and make informed choices for their future beyond high school. The camps allow students to either confirm their current career aspirations or discover new ones.
“We are always excited to host learning camps with Sask DLC to support students aspiring to build careers in the automotive industry,” Sask Polytech President and CEO Dr. Larry Rosia said. “High school students gain valuable insights and benefits from exploring trades and participating in these interactive camps on campus. This is a great opportunity to learn more about options in the automotive industry and at Sask Polytech.”
Student interest in Sask DLC’s Autobody courses continues to increase. In the 2024-25 school year, there are more than 205 student registrations for high school Autobody courses, including 62 with work placements.
Last year, 21 students registered in Autobody 10 or 20 level courses with work placement hours, while an additional 56 students took the introductory theory-only course.
Sask DLC offers four Autobody courses for students across the province, including a 10-level introductory course where students can choose to do full-online theory or participate in 75 hours of online theory with a 25-hour work placement. At the 20-level, courses combine 50 hours of online theory and 50 hours of in-person work placement at a local business. Students participating in the optional learning camp at Sask Polytech will earn six credit hours toward their work placement requirement.
Student work placements are made possible thanks to a partnership between Sask DLC and the Saskatchewan Association of Automotive Repairers (SAAR). This partnership provides students with work placement opportunities near their home community and supports the recruitment of qualified employees to serve the industry in the future.
“Our association is pleased to introduce students to opportunities in industry,” SAAR Executive Director Tom Bissonnette said. “Work placements in industry provide students with fundamental and practical skills to go alongside their Sask DLC course learning.”
These courses complement several other Sask DLC courses with work placements or hands-on learning opportunities available to students including:
Agriculture Equipment Technician
Construction & Carpentry
Electrical
Energy and Mines – Oil & Gas
Mechanical and Automotive
Parts Technician
Power Engineering
Precision Agriculture
Tourism
Welding
Registration for Sask DLC’s Autobody courses for 2025-26 school year is now open. The courses are available to full-time Sask DLC students or high school students attending local schools throughout the province to supplement their in-person learning. High school students can contact their local school administrator or guidance counsellor for help registering.
You can learn more about all online courses with work placements available through Sask DLC at saskDLC.ca.
