Department Of Food And Agriculture U S

A federal judge dismissed eight charges against former Agriculture Secretary Mike Espy, leaving a jury to decide 30 other counts related to alleged illegal gifts Espy got from companies he regulated. Judge Ricardo Urbina's oral ruling eliminated a sizable portion of the government's case against Espy, but left intact the most serious charge of violating the Meat Inspection Act--for which Espy could face mandatory jail time. If convicted of that charge, Espy would face mandatory jail time.

A federal judge dismissed eight charges against former Agriculture Secretary Mike Espy, leaving a jury to decide 30 other counts related to alleged illegal gifts Espy got from companies he regulated. Judge Ricardo Urbina's oral ruling eliminated a sizable portion of the government's case against Espy, but left intact the most serious charge of violating the Meat Inspection Act--for which Espy could face mandatory jail time. If convicted of that charge, Espy would face mandatory jail time.

Saying that half the state's dairy farmers aren't covering their costs, the Department of Food and Agriculture on Tuesday approved a 14.3% hike in raw milk prices that is likely to significantly boost what California consumers pay for milk. The decision, giving dairy farmers their second price increase in five months, was immediately criticized by consumer groups. "It's as if the state is creating a welfare program for dairy farmers," said Consumers Union spokeswoman Bonnie Maria Burlin.

Saying that half the state's dairy farmers aren't covering their costs, the Department of Food and Agriculture on Tuesday approved a 14.3% hike in raw milk prices that is likely to significantly boost what California consumers pay for milk. The decision, giving dairy farmers their second price increase in five months, was immediately criticized by consumer groups. "It's as if the state is creating a welfare program for dairy farmers," said Consumers Union spokeswoman Bonnie Maria Burlin.

State, federal and local officials said today that they have eradicated an infestation of the Mediterranean fruit fly on the west side of Los Angeles. The 10-month, $2-million campaign involved one aerial spraying of malathion pesticide and the release of 1.2 billion sterile Medflies to mate with fertile flies. As part of their announcement, officials from the state Department of Food and Agriculture, U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Los Angeles County agriculture commissioner's office said they are lifting a quarantine that had covered a 76-square mile area.

A fungus that is killing oaks along parts of the California coastal region has been found in a common garden plant, further complicating efforts to contain the mysterious affliction and track its origins. UC scientists announced last week that the organism responsible for "sudden oak death" had been detected in commercial rhododendron stock grown near some Santa Cruz County oaks dying of the disease.

The discovery of three bullet-shaped beetles of a type known for destroying thousands of acres of forests prompted authorities near Sacramento to embark on an unusual search -- tree by tree by tree. The search was conducted with the help of a specialized team of federal firefighters. The insects, Asian longhorned beetles, made their way to California last month in wooden crates containing tiles imported from China, authorities said.