The “Trust the Science Act” has passed the House and is now being considered by the Senate. U.S. Representative Dan Newhouse addressed the bill, which would direct the Department of the Interior to remove Endangered Species Act protections for the gray wolf. Newhouse believes that the gray wolf population has recovered and that it is time to delist the species based on science-backed approaches, rather than using the ESA as a weapon against private landowners.
Meanwhile, the National Agricultural Aviation Association is taking part in Ag on the Mall in Washington, D.C. The event, themed “The Future of Food and Farming,” highlights American equipment manufacturers, farmers, ranchers, and innovators who are working to reduce environmental impact while increasing productivity. The NAAA will be showcasing a Bell Jet Ranger Helicopter equipped with a liquid spray system for applying crop protection materials.
In response to outbreaks of bird flu in dairy cattle in certain states, the U.S. government is collecting ground beef samples from retail stores. Despite the outbreaks, the government is confident that the meat supply is safe. Both the Centers for Disease Control and the World Health Organization have stated that the overall public health risk is low, although it is higher for those who have been exposed to infected animals.