Media Center

Federal Appeals Court Rules Use of Antibiotic as Citrus Pesticide Is Unlawful, Vacates EPA Approval

December 13, 2023 Press ReleaseSan Francisco

The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals on Wednesday ruled in favor of farmworkers and public-interest groups’ call for reversal of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) approval of the medically important antibiotic streptomycin as a pesticide on citrus crops.

Report: U.S. Must Ban Seafood From 11 Nations Over Whale, Dolphin Deaths 

November 30, 2023 Press ReleaseWashington, D.C.

A report issued today by conservation groups finds that 11 nations have at least some fisheries that fail to meet U.S. standards for preventing whale and dolphin bycatch. Entanglement in fishing gear kills hundreds of thousands of marine mammals around…

Governor Newsom Signs Bill to Protect Californians and Pollinators from Dangerous Neurotoxins

October 11, 2023 Press ReleaseSacramento

With the support of Governor Newsom and persistence from the state legislature, California has passed AB 363, which bans over the counter sales of lawn and garden neonicotinoid (neonic) pesticides by 2025, limiting their use to trained professionals. The bill…

EPA Cuts HFC Use in Air Conditioning, Supermarket Refrigerators

October 6, 2023 Press ReleaseWashington, D.C.

WASHINGTON – In a move supported by both environmental groups and industry associations, the Environmental Protection Agency finalized standards that will phase out the most climate-warming hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) in key applications -- from aerosols to heat pumps; supermarket refrigerators to…

NRDC, SWACO Announce Seven Ohio Recipients of Food Waste Reduction Grants

May 17, 2023 Press ReleaseColumbus

COLUMBUS, OH – NRDC (Natural Resources Defense Council) and SWACO (Solid Waste Authority of Central Ohio) have partnered with the City of Columbus and Franklin County to announce the recipients of the Central Ohio Food Waste Reduction Capacity Grant, supporting…

Senator Welch Introduces Bill to Reduce Barriers to Organic Agriculture

May 11, 2023 Press ReleaseWashington, D.C.

Senator Peter Welch and eleven other senators introduced a bill to reduce barriers to organic agriculture, and a House companion bill led by Congressman Jimmy Panetta is expected soon. The Opportunities in Organic Act of 2023 is designed to help…

Leading NGOs Launch Coalition to Advocate for Food Waste Policy

April 26, 2023 Press ReleaseWashington, D.C.

NRDC (Natural Resources Defense Council), World Wildlife Fund (WWF), the Harvard Law School Food Law and Policy Clinic (FLPC), and ReFED have partnered to launch the Zero Food Waste Coalition, a national effort focused on informing and influencing policy at…

Advocates Defend ‘the Birds and the Bees’ with Nation-Leading Legislation

February 27, 2023 Press ReleaseAlbany

A coalition of organizations flocked to Albany to rein in toxic neonic pesticides.

Groups File Lawsuit to Require California to Regulate Pesticide-Treated Seeds 

February 21, 2023 Press ReleaseCalifornia

Legal challenge calls on state Department of Pesticide Regulation to close loophole on unregulated sale, use of pesticides on seeds.

EPA Protects Bristol Bay, Alaska with Pebble Mine Veto

January 31, 2023 Press ReleaseAlaska

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Biden Administration today dealt a blow to the massive and controversial gold and copper mining project in Bristol Bay, Alaska called the Pebble Mine. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued a Final Determination under Section 404(c)…

FDA Can Curtail Antibiotic Crisis by Ending Misuse in Livestock Animals, Say Health Advocate Groups in New Lawsuit

January 24, 2023 Press ReleaseUnited States

WASHINGTON, D.C. – To protect the safety of consumers, meat processing workers and farming communities, a coalition of public health advocacy groups have filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) and its Center for Veterinary Medicine…

New York City Votes to “Skip the Stuff” in Take-Out Orders

January 19, 2023 Press ReleaseNew York City

NEW YORK, NY – The New York City Council voted (43-7) today in favor of the “Skip the Stuff” bill (Intro 0559), which would prohibit takeout and delivery services from providing plastic utensils, condiments, or napkins unless explicitly requested by…

NRDC Expands Food Matters City Partnerships to Reduce Food Waste Across the U.S.

January 18, 2023 Press ReleaseUnited States

NEW YORK, NY – After more than seven successful years of working in over 20 select cities on food waste reduction, NRDC (Natural Resources Defense Council) is expanding its Food Matters program across the United States. This next phase of…

Legal Arguments Begin in Case Challenging EPA’s Decision to Authorize Medically Important Antibiotic as Citrus Pesticide

January 18, 2023 Press ReleaseUnited States

SAN FRANCISCO – On January 23, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals will hear oral argument challenging the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s approval of the medically-important antibiotic streptomycin as a pesticide on citrus crops. The lawsuit, brought by farmworker and…

McDonald’s Quietly Updates Policies on Antibiotic Use in Beef Supplies, Continues Touting Empty Promises

December 20, 2022 Press ReleaseUnited States

CHICAGO – After a two-year delay in releasing reduction targets related to its 2018 antibiotic use policy for beef supply chains, McDonald’s has pivoted and quietly published a new, weaker approach, instead. While the new policy encourages U.S. suppliers to…

NRDC Launches Regenerative Agriculture Program with Award-Winning Chefs to Protect, Build Healthy Soils

December 5, 2022 Press ReleaseUnited States

WASHINGTON, D.C. – In celebration of World Soil Day, NRDC (Natural Resources Defense Council) is launching the Chefs for Healthy Soils program alongside 30 diverse chefs from across the country. The program underscores the importance of protecting soil to support…

New Analysis Offers Data-Driven Plan for FDA to Curb Unnecessary Antibiotic Use in Livestock

December 1, 2022 Press ReleaseUnited States

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Each year, infections from antibiotic-resistant bacteria are responsible for more than 1.3 million deaths globally, with at least 35,000 fatalities in the United States alone. Efforts in the U.S. to curtail antibiotic overuse–the major driver of spreading…

New Organic Food and Farming Report Details Policy Opportunities for Upcoming Farm Bill and Beyond

October 27, 2022 Press ReleaseUnited States

WASHINGTON, D.C. – NRDC (Natural Resources Defense Council), the Swette Center at Arizona State University (ASU) and Californians for Pesticide Reform (CPR) published a new report, featuring over a dozen organic farmers and ranchers across the nation and detailing the…

Committee Advances Fisheries Bill to Recognize Climate Impacts for the First Time, Strengthen Resilience for Coastal Communities

September 29, 2022 Press ReleaseUnited States

Five leading ocean conservation organizations praise Reps. Huffman, Case, and Peltola’s leadership to update U.S. fishing laws

Padilla, Chu Join Union Workers in Los Angeles to Push for Federal Heat Stress Protections

August 30, 2022 Press ReleaseLos Angeles

LOS ANGELES, CA — As temperatures soar to triple digits in areas of Southern California, U.S. Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) and Representative Judy Chu (D-Calif.) were in Los Angeles today along with union representatives and workers to advocate for federal…