The FDA and USDA have proposed new regulations that would prohibit organic chickens from roaming freely outdoors?an attempt to reduce salmonella exposure. This change in rules calls for hens to be removed from all other wildlife, including mice, rats, and wild birds. This goes against the USDA National Organic Program that calls for chickens to have outdoor access. Caged hens suffer in cramped?conditions, are often mistreated to increase yields,?and produce less nutritious eggs. The FDA?s alternatives, including fencing off pastures and building canopies, would be too costly for organic egg farmers and would eliminate true organic production. Organic chickens need time outdoors to behave like chickens. Stand with the Organic Consumers Association and urge the USDA and FDA to protect our chickens and eggs.

Tell USDA to reject the GE apple!

The biotech industry is at it again! This time they have developed a genetically engineered apple that doesn?t brown when it?s sliced. Since browning is a sign that apples are no longer fresh, ?masking? this natural signal could lead people to consume contaminated apples. Since the FDA does no independent, pre-market safety testing of GE food there are several unanswered questions about the safety of GE apples. The last thing we need is another untested, potentially unsafe, GMO product in stores. A public comment period on the GE apple is open through this Thursday, January 30th. Tell USDA to Reject this GE Apple! Comments are due this Thursday, so please click here to take action.

Show Bees Some Love

With Valentine?s Day quickly approaching, let’s take some time to think how different the holiday would be without pollinators. No strawberries, honey, and so many other foods that we all love to eat with those we love. It just wouldn?t be the same.?Bees pollinate two-thirds of our global food crops and they are in trouble. Last year U.S. beekeepers reported 40-100 percent losses in their hives, and right now they are likely facing another winter of historic bee die-offs.?That?s why thousands of people coast-to-coast will swarm Home Depot and Lowe?s stores the week of valentines day(February 10-16) to deliver valentines, asking them to ?show bees some love? and stop selling bee-killing pesticides and garden plants pre-poisoned with these harmful, toxic chemicals. Planting season is right around the corner. Let’s not let another year pass with Home Depot and Lowe?s selling ?poisoned plants? with no warning to consumers. Click here to take action.