On June 28, 2024, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) published a proposed rule “Fair and Competitive Livestock and Poultry Markets,” which would define the types of conduct and...more
The House Committee on Agriculture and the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition & Forestry issued their frameworks for the 2024 Farm Bill on May 1, 2024. The House approach emphasizes enhancements to the farmer safety...more
Several states have made attempts to provide the animal production industry protection against unlawful interference by enacting so-called Ag-Gag laws. A wave of litigation is challenging these laws as unconstitutional,...more
On November 2, 2023, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) published a final rule amending the National Organic Program (NOP) Organic Livestock and Poultry Standards (OLPS Rule). The OLPS Rule adds specific requirements...more
Forest Service livestock grazing permits do not run afoul of state water quality permitting requirements because the Management Agency Agreement (MAA) between the agency and the State Water Resources Control Board, which...more
Federal Made in U.S.A. Rule - In June 2021, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) adopted its final rule for using “Made in U.S.A.” or any variation of that statement, including the U.S. flag. While this rule imposes no new...more
In recent years, consumers have expressed a growing interest in knowing where their food comes from and in sourcing that food directly from the producer. This style of marketing – popularly coined “farm-to-table” or...more
Assembly bill No. 5236 was recently introduced in the state assembly that would establish “criminal offenses and civil penalties concerning [allegedly] inhumane confinement of breeding pigs and calves raised for veal.” ...more
This past July, twenty-two experts from around the world convened for a workshop to discuss issues surrounding biodiversity and pandemics. In November, the United Nations’ Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on...more
According to AP news, Denmark has plans to cull its 15 million mink on all its mink farms, with promises to compensate farmers. Producing 40% of mink for the world, a large number of mink farms in Denmark are or have been...more
USDA published proposed Rule 85 FR 18471 on April 2, 2020 that would, "amend the animal disease regulations to provide for a National List of Reportable Animal Diseases, along with reporting responsibilities for animal...more
Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has assembled resources for animal feeding operations that may face challenges related to the reduced capacity of meatpacking plants. Producers of poultry, swine, and cattle should...more
LEGISLATION, REGULATIONS & STANDARDS - U.S. Lawmakers Urge FDA to Act on CBD - A group of U.S. lawmakers, led by Reps. Chellie Pingree (D-Maine) and James Comer (R-Ky.), have urged the U.S. Food and Drug Administration...more
In response to concerns expressed by livestock groups and some in the biotechnology industry over the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA's) approval process for gene editing in animals, the Trump administration issued an...more
The Environmental Integrity Project (“EIP”) issued an April 4th report titled: Livestock Fencing in the Shenandoah Valley (“Report”) ...more
Senate Bill 550 was recently introduced which would address liquid animal waste systems and liquid livestock litter utilization. A key provision of the legislation would be the proposed transfer of liquid animal waste...more
CBD, FSMA, Class Actions Among Topics at GMA Conference - Class action litigation, the legal landscape for cannabis and the evolving implementation of the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) were trending topics at the...more
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA’s) Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced today a formal-agreement coordinating joint jurisdiction over the production of...more
LEGISLATION, REGULATIONS & STANDARDS - Some FDA Inspectors Called to Work During Shutdown - In a series of tweets, U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Commissioner Scott Gottlieb announced that about 200 food...more
The Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality (“ADEQ”) announced that it is denying for the second time C & H Hog Farms, Inc.’s (“C & H”) application for an Arkansas Pollution Control and Ecology Commission Regulation No....more
LEGISLATION, REGULATIONS & STANDARDS - FDA Provides Update on Antimicrobial Resistance - The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has published Commissioner Scott Gottlieb’s September 14, 2018, remarks delivered at...more
LEGISLATION, REGULATIONS & STANDARDS - FDA Announces Modernization for Dairy Product Identities - Following his related statements at a conference, U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Commissioner Scott Gottlieb has...more
LEGISLATION, REGULATIONS & STANDARDS - FDA Commissioner Questions Milk Standards Enforcement - At a speaking engagement, U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Commissioner Scott Gottlieb reportedly expressed that the...more
The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) recently released the Spring 2018 Unified Agenda of Regulatory Actions for federal agencies, which outlines the rulemaking actions currently under development in each federal agency....more
USDA Releases Proposed Bioengineered Ingredients Standard - The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has released the proposed National Bioengineered Food Disclosure Standard,...more