The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has granted approval to two additional companies, UPS Flight Forward and uAvionix, to conduct drone operations beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) in national airspace, a significant development in the increasingly relevant drone industry. Notably, UPS Flight Forward aims to utilize BVLOS drone operations for small-package delivery via a ground-based…
On September 1, 2023, the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee issued an order in the case of Ultima Services Corp. v. U.S. Dept. of Agriculture, et. al., Case No. 2:20-cv-00041, following a status hearing held the previous day. JD Supra reports. Prior to this order, the District Court in Ultima had…
The U.S. Supreme Court has unveiled its list of seven cases to be argued in the November session, according to a report by SCOTUSblog. Two of the high-profile matters in this to-be-argued list are central to the exercise of the First and Second Amendment rights. A Second Amendment dispute, namely United States v. Rahimi, is…
In a pivotal move on August 30, 2023, the Small Business Administration (SBA) responded to a legal demand crafted in the Ultima Services Corp. v. U.S. Dept. of Agriculture case. The SBA filed a Notice of Compliance, directly engaging the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee (Greenville Division) in the escalating legal…
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has rapidly implemented a new rule regarding jurisdiction under the Clean Water Act (CWA), making use of an exception to the Administrative Procedure Act’s normal requirement for public notice and comment. The new rule concerns the definition of “Waters of the United States,” and comes in response to a…
The U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee recently shifted the landscape for minority-owned businesses aiming to qualify under the Small Business Administration’s (SBA’s) 8(a) Business Development Program. In a notable decision, the court found that a presumption of social disadvantage for certain minority groups – as employed by the United States Department…
On August 29, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced a significant alteration to its definition of ‘waters of the United States’, a term that has long been a point of contention in environmental law and policy. This change was prompted by the Supreme Court’s ruling earlier this year in the case of Sackett v….
Climate change is increasingly shaping legislation and, as such, impacting businesses on a global scale. In California, a significant development is unfolding. A confidential committee within the state’s legislature is anticipated to move forward this week on two Senate bills packaged as part of the Democrats’ Climate Accountability initiative, introduced earlier this session. This powerful…
In recent times, global interest has surged for biochar carbon projects, spurred by the drawn-out environmental significance and the potential for sustainable management of agricultural practices. According to a recent report, the thriving market is likely to escalate from its present value of $160 million to over $450 million by 2030. Biochar, a soil amendment,…
The United Nations (UN) Committee on the Rights of the Child recently published authoritative guidance concerning children’s rights with respect to the environment amidst growing concerns of climate change. The guidance entreats member states to promptly implement intervention measures that address the negative impacts of environmental degradation and protect children’s right to a clean and…
In a recent decision that resonates with environmentalists and legal professionals alike, the United States District Court for the District of Columbia addressed a critical aspect of the Endangered Species Act (ESA). The judgment dealt with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services’ refusal to designate a critical habitat for the endangered Rusty Patched Bumble Bee….
In a precedent-setting decision, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has granted permission to two American firms, Upside Foods and GOOD Meat, to market lab-grown chicken in the country. This move marks a significant development in the synthetic meat industry, particularly for poultry products. The review and approval process involved both the USDA’s Food…
For legal professionals, understanding the complexities of environmental regulations such as Canada’s Greenhouse Gas Pollution Pricing Act (GGPPA) is a crucial part of advising corporations in the agricultural and fisheries sectors. Enacted five years ago by the Canadian Federal Government, the act presents both unique opportunities and challenges for farmers, greenhouse operators, and fishermen. One…
A detailed understanding of Ag-Gag legislation, especially for legal professionals working with agricultural and animal production industries in the United States is vital. This legislation, enacted in several states, aims to provide lawful protection to these industries from unauthorized interferences. The legality of these laws, however, continues to remain a point of contention. The legislation,…
On July 21, 2023, the Southern District of New York weighed in on a closely-watched class action lawsuit involving an undisclosed agriculture company and several of its senior officers (the “Individual Defendants”). The court, led by Judge Lewis J. Liman, both granted in part and rejected in part a motion to dismiss the securities class…
Effective July 1, 2023, new revisions to the Florida statutes allow individuals to carry concealed weapons without a permit, a move that holds significant implications for those involved in the leasing industry in the state. Interested parties can still obtain permits from the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, ensuring a level of choice…
In this week’s Food Venture Financing News, Flora Ventures, an Israel-based VC firm, established by an erstwhile executive of Mondelēz, announced that it has raised a significant $50 million in funds. This is a strategic move aiming to lend support to budding startups that are making waves in the domains of food security, sustainable agriculture,…