Baker Law Group, LLC’s Post

In "New Approaches to Public Data Make the Invisible Visible," we chronicle the decades of research by community leaders and organizations, including Californians for Pesticide Reform, upon which the environmental law center University of California, Irvine School of Law builds. Read it here: https://bit.ly/4hczDTb

In a recent interview with Brownfield Ag Network, Stoel Rives attorney Thomas Braun shares his insights on the impact of the Environmental Protection Agency’s recent designation of two forever chemicals as hazardous substances on the agricultural industry, stating, “Now it really would be a good time for [farmers] to take a look at their systems to figure out what their potential exposure is, what their new requirements are and things of that nature.” Read the full piece here. https://ow.ly/2Z0A50RsOUy #StoelRives #BrownfieldAgNews #PFAS #ForeverChemicals #EPA #Agribusiness #AgriculturalIndustry #Lawyer #Attorney #EnvironmentalLaw

Do food companies need to worry about the 'nature-related risks' of the farms they source from? A question I’m asking Think of what’s going on in The River Wye, plus the rise of mega farm, struggles to comply with environmental pollution regs across likes of dairy and now the legal opinion stating that companies do need to consider nature-related risks under English company law, and it’s a heady mix of issues food firms are facing. So, do food companies sourcing from farms (whether mega or not) need to be concerning themselves with the environmental impact those farms have - especially when half of farms outside of the environmental permitting regime have been found outside of compliance with environmental rules? If so, does this mean we'll be seeing more of the type of cases just launched against chicken processor Avara for its impact on the river Wye? Those interested in chatting. Please do drop me a line.

After a recent survey, 74% of composter members of the USCC want to include compostable packaging and foodservice ware in their feedstocks. 🌞 So the question is, ❔ how can we make sure we collectively label and test to a high standard to avoid PFAS, petroleum-based lining and plastics as well as other greenwash products getting mixed into that ❔ Moments like last week's Improving the Circularity of Compostables and Compost event in Denver, on-going legislation and surveys are keeping these groups working hard and moving forward. World Centric's very own resource recovery experts Elly Ventura and Erin Levine are heavily involved and for that we are grateful! Watch this update on USCC and policy updates! #worldcentric #compostables #PFAS #composters #compostables #uscc #foodwaste #ERP #noPFOA #foodservice #sustainability

A new study reveals that the U.S.'s 21,000 confined feeding operations (CAFO's) produce up to 1.6 million tons of toxic waste each year, including pharmaceuticals, heavy metals, and chemicals that harm both the environment and public health. In Indiana, 1,755 CAFO's contribute to this pollution, yet the state doesn't require CAFOs to obtain critical NPDES permits, unlike Michigan and other states. This lack of regulation leaves Indiana communities vulnerable to harmful emissions and water contamination. The consequences are clear: Higher rates of respiratory illness, waterway spills, and environmental degradation. Kim Ferraro of the Conservation Law Center calls it "legal pollution" — it's time for Indiana lawmakers to prioritize health and the environment by requiring stronger pollution controls. Read the full story here: https://bit.ly/4eGIxX6 #EnvironmentalJustice #CAFO #CleanWater #PublicHealth #ConservationLaw

Sharing this info on Colorado legislation for local control of pesticide use (HB24-1178). Municipalities, schools and residents are investing resources in expanding native landscapes to reduce water demand and create pollinator habitat. Some pesticides are toxic to pollinators, making it more difficult for pollinators to thrive in those habitats. Current law prohibits a local government from creating laws that regulate the use of pesticides by pesticide applicators regulated by state or federal law. The bill allows a local government to create and enforce laws regulating the sale or use of pesticides to protect the health and safety of the community with certain exceptions.

Residents of Elkton, Maryland, are taking legal action against W. Lawyers representing a group of residents in Elkton, Maryland, have officially informed W.L. Gore & Associates of their intention to initiate legal action against the company. Lawyers representing a group of concerned residents in Elkton, Maryland, have taken a significant initial step by officially notifying W. L. Gore & Associates of their intention to pursue legal action against the company. This impending lawsuit is centered on serious allegations that Gore has been contaminating the local groundwater supply with harmful polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), which are synthetic chemicals known for their persistence in the environment and potential adverse health effects. The company's principal manufacturing facility is located in Newark, Delaware, just a short distance from Elkton, highlighting the proximity of potential environmental impact to these residents. PFAS are often referred to as "forever chemicals" due to their resistance to breaking down in nature and have been linked to various health issues such as cancer, liver damage, and developmental problems. The lawyers argue that W. L. Gore & Associates has been illegally disposing of these hazardous substances into the ground surrounding their facility. This alleged disposal activity directly contravenes federal regulations designed to protect both environmental integrity and public health from such pollutants. By bringing this matter before the courts, the residents aim not only to seek accountability but also to ensure stricter compliance with existing environmental laws that prohibit such unauthorized release of dangerous chemicals into natural resources essential for community well-being. #NewClaimantProducer #TortLeadGenerator #KnowYourClients  #ThroughPersonalityProfiling #IdentifyNewClients #RetainMIAClients   #WithPersonalityProfiling

Last week, the government announced they will be banning the supply and sale of wet wipes containing plastic. The world-leading legislation will be introduced to help tackle pollution and clean up waterways. A great move to help the environment, but do you think more needs to be done to help protect our planet? #getlegallyspeaking #law #newlaw #environmentallaw #learnthelaw #legallearning

🌱🌿 New Blog Alert: "Committee Blog: A Guide to Navigating Cultivation Environmental Requirements" 🌿🌱 Obtaining a cannabis cultivation license involves navigating complex environmental regulations, which can be both challenging and costly. Our latest #IndustryInsights blog from Seedling Member Perfect Union provides a comprehensive guide to help operators meet these challenges head-on. From sediment control to air quality, we cover best practices to ensure a smoother review process. 👉 Dive into expert insights on: • Sediment & Erosion Control • Water Usage & Wastewater Discharge • Energy Efficiency & Carbon Footprint • Air Quality & Odor Control Read More: https://bit.ly/3V5470s But that's not all! We're hosting an #IndustryEssentials webinar next week to delve deeper into these topics. Join us for an interactive educational experience with expert panelists from the industry including Calyxeum, Perfect Union and more! This is your chance to get your questions answered and gain a deeper understanding of how to navigate environmental reviews effectively. 📅 Webinar Details: 🗓️ Date: Thursday, May 23rd 🕒 Time: 3:00PM - 4:00PM ET 📍 Register Here: https://bit.ly/4bomd3c Stay compliant and sustainable! Read the full blog and register for the webinar now! #CannabisIndustry #EnvironmentalCompliance #SustainableCultivation #NCIA #Webinar

Environmental groups, EU lawmakers and campaigners have launched legal challenges to the European Commission's decision to extend the authorisation of glyphosate for ten years. These challenges, including requests for internal review and possible appeals to the European Court of Justice, criticise the EU's safety assessment as biased and inadequate, in particular ignoring independent research on the health and environmental risks of #glyphosate. The lawsuits seek to revoke glyphosate's authorisation and argue for a ban based on its alleged toxicity and insufficient safety data, particularly on its long-term health effects. https://lnkd.in/ebiY9ptv