An administrative law judge set a Jan 6 session to discuss a possible settlement of a complaint by a USDA scientist of mistreatment after he suggested neonicotinoid pesticides are a threat to insects that pollinate crops, said the Washington Post. The judge, Patricia Miller, rejected a USDA request to dismiss the case last week. Research entomologist Jonathan Lundgren filed a whistleblower claim saying USDA supervisors impeded his work because of his findings. The Public Employees for Environmental Responsbility, which filed the complaint on behalf of Lundgren, is challenging in court a USDA directive that departmental scientists should refrain from statements that could be construed as making judgements on USDA or federal policy, said the Post.