NFU Urges Support for Packers and Stockyards Act
US - The US National Farmers Union (NFU) and 54 agriculture organisations showed their support for independent producers by signing an amicus brief filed with the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals.
21 September 2009
1 minute read
The brief supports Wheeler v. Pilgrim’s Pride, a decision on appeal interpreting key provisions of the Packers and Stockyards Act. "The current question before this Court will have a dramatic effect on key provisions of the Packers and Stockyards Act allowing farmers and ranchers to enforce the Act’s protections," the brief states.
A three judge panel has ruled that a farmer does not have to show harm to competition as a whole to bring a case under the Packers and Stockyards Act.
"A fair, open and competitive marketplace is essential to the survival of our nation’s family farms," NFU President Roger Johnson said. "The court’s ruling will ensure that producers can take action and be protected under the Packers and Stockyards Act. This ruling must be upheld or the legal remedies described in the act will be virtually impossible for farmers to access."
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