Farmers and Environmental Groups Sue USDA Over Climate Information Removal
The lawsuit alleges the USDA unlawfully deleted climate-related resources from its websites, violating federal laws and harming farmers' ability to adapt to extreme weather.
- The Northeast Organic Farming Association of New York, along with two environmental groups, filed a lawsuit against the USDA for removing climate-related data, tools, and resources from its websites.
- The lawsuit claims the USDA's actions violate the Freedom of Information Act, Paperwork Reduction Act, and Administrative Procedure Act, which require transparency and public notice for significant changes.
- Farmers relied on the deleted information for guidance on climate-smart farming practices, funding opportunities, and adapting to extreme weather conditions caused by climate change.
- The lawsuit highlights broader concerns about the Trump administration's efforts to dismantle climate protections and freeze funding for programs supporting sustainable agriculture and conservation.
- The plaintiffs seek a court order to restore the removed webpages, prevent further deletions, and ensure compliance with federal transparency laws.