Equal rights for bees and fish: The California state Supreme Court cleared the way for an array of insects to be protected under the state’s endangered species law, an action “which may carry deep consequences for the state’s agriculture industry.” (Los Angeles Times)
HPAI toll hits 46.4 million: With the discovery of bird flu at a Colorado egg farm with 1.15 million hens, losses to avian influenza reached 5.68 million birds in domestic flocks this month, the highest monthly total since April. (USDA)
Factory-farm ban rejected: Swiss voters defeated by a large margin a proposal to ban factory farming in their wealthy nation, with their government recommending a ‘no’ vote. (Reuters)
Double MAP, FMD funding: A bipartisan Senate bill would double the funding for two USDA cost-share programs that promote food and ag exports, the $200-million-a year Market Access Program and the $34.5-million Foreign Market Development program. (DTN/Progressive Farmer)
Horn of Africa hunger: Severe drought in the Horn of Africa has pushed people to the brink of starvation by destroying the crops and livestock that ordinarily feed people in the region. (FAO-WFP)