Organic farming rules dropped
DES MOINES, Iowa — New rules, decades in the making, that would have required organic meat and egg producers to abide by stricter animal welfare standards were withdrawn by the federal government on Monday, frustrating organic farmers and animal welfare groups but leaving some traditional egg and livestock farm groups happy.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture said the Organic Livestock and Poultry Practices rule exceeds the department’s statutory authority.
“The organic industry’s continued growth domestically and globally shows that consumers trust the current approach that balances consumer expectations and the needs of organic producers and handlers,” said USDA Marketing and Regulatory Program Undersecretary Greg Ibach.
The rule was published by former President Barack Obama’s Agriculture Department two days before he left office in January 2017. The administration of Donald Trump has repeatedly delayed implementing the rule and had signaled that it might never move forward with it.
The regulation was designed to ensure that organically grown livestock had enough space to lie down, turn around, stand up and fully stretch.
It also prohibited removal of chicken beaks and cutting cattle tails and required improved living conditions.
Trump says Ross will talk tariffs with EU officials
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump says his commerce secretary will be talking to the European Union about tariffs that he argues have been unfair to the United States.
Writing on Twitter, the president said Monday Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross will speak with EU representatives about “eliminating the large Tariffs and Barriers they use against the U.S.A.”
Trump announced last week that the United States would impose heavy tariffs on imported steel and aluminum, with some countries potentially exempted.
Democrat seeks data on Trump firm’s donation
WASHINGTON — A senior House Democrat is asking the Trump Organization and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin to provide more information on a $151,470 donation the Trump family firm turned over to the government.
President Donald Trump pledged last year to donate profits from foreign government patronage at his company's properties. Rep. Elijah Cummings, D-Md., asked a Trump Organization lawyer to provide documents on the company's foreign government payments and how it calculated its donation.
Facebook to have digital training in Houston
Facebook opened registration on Monday for its digital skills training program that will be held in Houston.
The social media giant previously announced its Community Boost program would visit Houston April 3-April 6.
The event will be held at the Julia Ideson Building of the Houston Public Library, located at 550 McKinney.
Registration for the event is free. Visit facebook.com/communityboost to sign up for the classes.
It's designed to help small-business owners, nonprofit leaders and job seekers.
Swiss arrests over Venezuelan oil company
GENEVA— Prosecutors in Switzerland have made two arrests after opening a criminal investigation into a Genevabased consulting firm that allegedly served as a conduit for bribes between Venezuela's state oil company and some of its biggest clients.
A person familiar with the case said Monday that the Helsinge executives were arrested in recent days following allegations contained in a complaint filed by PDVSA, the Venezuelan state oil company. The person spoke on condition of anonymity.
Smog ruling goes against Trump administration
SAN FRANCISCO — The Trump administration violated federal law when it failed to meet a deadline to identify all parts of the U.S. that don't meet air quality standards for smog, a federal judge ruled on Monday.
U.S. District Judge Haywood Gilliam ordered the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to complete the designations by the end of April.
An email for comment sent to the U.S. Department of Justice was not immediately returned.
In other news …
The Treasury Department auctioned $51 billion in three-month bills at a discount rate of 1.670 percent, up from 1.660 percent last week. Another $45 billion in six-month bills was auctioned at 1.850 percent, up from 1.830 percent.
The Federal Reserve said the average yield for one-year Treasury bills edged down to 2.03 percent from 2.06 percent.