Farmers, green groups sue USDA over 'unlawful purge' of climate data

Farmers and green groups sued the U.S. Department of Agriculture on Monday for an “unlawful purge” of climate data from its website.

“This lawsuit challenges the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s unlawful purge of climate-related policies, guides, datasets, and resources from its websites, without any advance notice as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act, without engaging in reasoned decision-making as required by the Administrative Procedure Act, and in violation of its obligation under the Freedom of Information Act to publish certain information proactively,” the filing reads.

The organizations involved include Earthjustice and the Knight First Amendment Institute at Columbia University, which are representing the Northeast Organic Farming Association of New York, Natural Resources Defense Council and the Environmental Working Group.

The coalition says that valuable datasets relating to climate-smart agriculture, forest conservation, climate change adaptation and investment in clean energy projects in rural America were purged from the site.

“By wiping critical climate resources from the USDA’s website, the Trump administration has deliberately stripped farmers and ranchers of the vital tools they need to confront the escalating extreme weather threats like droughts and floods,” Anne Schechinger, Midwest director for the Environmental Working Group said in a statement.

“This lawsuit isn’t just about transparency — it’s about holding those in power accountable for undermining the very information that helps protect the livelihoods of food producers, the food system, and our future.”

Knight First Amendment Institute said the effort won’t just impact agriculture workers but also the economy.

“USDA’s policies influence everything from the shape of our economy to the food we eat. Farmers, researchers, and advocates rely on USDA data to make important decisions about their work,” said Stephanie Krent, a staff attorney at the Knight First Amendment Institute.

“USDA’s sudden elimination of webpages that used to provide this information hurts all of us. Members of the public have a right to know how the department is implementing its priorities and administering its programs.”

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