A judge green lights an avian influenza lawsuit against the USDA.
USDA allegedly broke the law in 2014 by incentivizing poultry producers to give more room for birds to move around freely.
The plaintiffs claim that USDA failed to consider the health and safety implications, or the role these farms play in disease outbreaks. USDA filed a motion to dismiss the suit, on the basis that plaintiffs lacked standing.
However, a district court ruled the plaintiffs do have standing. The USDA will have to provide evidence regarding its response to the outbreak.
Related:
WHO weighs in on avian influenza spread
Avian influenza spreading to other animals in Europe
Worst outbreak of avian influenza on record
H5N8 strain of avian influenza is spreading across Europe and Asia