Agricultural Law Weekly Review – Week Ending July 9, 2021

Antitrust: White House Executive Order on Competition Features Agriculture Prominently 🌾
On July 9, 2021, President Biden issued an executive order titled, “Executive Order on Promoting Competition in the American Economy” requiring multiple executive agencies, including the U.S. Department of Agriculture, to assess industry practices, revise or promulgate regulations accordingly and develop and submit plans and analysis addressing topics of competition within their respective industries.   The order also creates a White House Competition Council, which includes the Secretary of Agriculture (Secretary), to address unfair “concentration, monopolization, and unfair competition” in the U.S. economy.  Specifically, according to the text of a White House Fact Sheet issued simultaneously, the order:

• “Directs USDA to consider issuing new rules under the Packers and Stockyards Act making it easier for farmers to bring and win claims, stopping chicken processors from exploiting and underpaying chicken farmers, and adopting anti-retaliation protections for farmers who speak out about bad practices.
• Directs USDA to consider issuing new rules defining when meat can bear “Product of USA” labels, so that consumers have accurate, transparent labels that enable them to choose products made here.
• Directs USDA to develop a plan to increase opportunities for farmers to access markets and receive a fair return, including supporting alternative food distribution systems like farmers markets and developing standards and labels so that consumers can choose to buy products that treat farmers fairly.
• Encourages the FTC to limit powerful equipment manufacturers from restricting people’s ability to use independent repair shops or do DIY repairs—such as when tractor companies block farmers from repairing their own tractors.”

The order’s text is much more specific on these tasks and also directs the Secretary of Agriculture:

(1) within 180 days, to submit a plan to promote competition in agricultural industries and to support value-added agriculture and alternative food distribution systems, listing specific means to accomplish those objectives;

(2) within 300 days, in consultation with the Federal Trade Commission, to submit a report on the effect of retail concentration and retailers’ practices on competition in the food industries and means to enhance access to markets; and

(3) submit a report, in consultation with Department of Commerce and United States Patent and Trademark Office, outlining concerns and strategies for increasing competition in the intellectual property system in seed and other input markets. 

COVID-19: Texas Federal Court Issues Preliminary Injunction Against Socially Disadvantaged Farmer Loan Forgiveness, Certifies Two Classes
On July 1, 2021, the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas issued an order granting preliminary injunction against USDA’s debt relief program for socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers (SDFRs) and certifying two classes to further challenge the program.  Miller v. Vilsack, No. 4:21-cv-00595.  The two certified classes consist of U.S.-based farmers and ranchers “who are encountering, or who will encounter, racial discrimination from” USDA because of the program, created by section 1005 of the American Rescue Plan Act, and U.S. farmers and ranchers “who are currently excluded from the definition of ‘socially disadvantaged farmer or rancher.’”  The court also found that the plaintiffs, a group of white Texas farmers, face a substantial threat of irreparable harm if USDA were to forgive loans for socially disadvantaged farmers and that they are substantially likely to succeed on the merits of the case.  Accordingly, the court issued a temporary injunction enjoining USDA from “discriminating on account of race or ethnicity” in carrying out the loan forgiveness program, including “considering or using an applicant Class Member’s race or ethnicity as a criterion” or “considering or using any criterion that is intended to serve as a proxy for race or ethnicity” in determining eligibility for loan forgiveness.  For background on a previous Temporary Restraining Order and a Preliminary Injunction, see ALWR—Week Ending June 25, 2021, “Federal Court Issues Preliminary Injunction Against Socially Disadvantaged Farmer Loan Forgiveness;” ALWR—Week Ending June 11, 2021, “Federal Court Issues Temporary Restraining Order Against USDA Loan Forgiveness for Socially Disadvantaged Farmers;” and ALWR—Week Ending May 21, 2021, “USDA Announces Payments to Socially Disadvantaged Farmers Under American Rescue Plan Act.”

Water Quality: Federal Court Denies Keystone’s Motion to Appeal in Clean Water Act Case
On July 2, 2021, the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania issued a memorandum and order denying Pennsylvania-based Keystone Protein’s motion to certify for appeal an interlocutory order to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit.  Lower Susquehanna Riverkeeper et al v. Keystone Protein Company, No. 1:19-cv-01307.  Keystone’s motion requested leave to file an interlocutory appeal on the standard of review under which to assess whether the plaintiffs’ federal Clean Water Act claims are barred due to pending prosecution under Pennsylvania’s Clean Streams Law by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP).  The Court determined that an appeal was uncertain to conclusively end the litigation, stating that even a successful appeal “would not by itself lead to the conclusion that Plaintiffs’ claims are precluded” by the applicable statute, and denied Keystone’s motion for certification of appealability.  The case will now proceed to establish the penalties to be assessed against Keystone Protein, a Pennsylvania poultry processing company owned by the brand Bell & Evans, for violations of the Clean Water Act over more than six years.  The violations were established by summary judgment, according to the assigned judge’s scheduling orders.  For background, see ALWR—Week Ending February 26, 2021, “Federal Judge Grants Summary Judgment Against Keystone Protein for Years of Violating Nitrogen Discharge Permit Levels.”

Food Labeling: Federal Trade Commission Issues New “Made in USA” Labeling Rule
On July 1, 2021, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced the completion of a final rule titled, “Made in USA Labeling Rule,” which codifies that product packaging and online labels may not identify a product as “Made in USA” unless: “1) final assembly or processing of the product occurs in the United States; 2) all significant processing that goes into the product occurs in the United States; and 3) all or virtually all ingredients or components of the product are made and sourced in the United States.”  The rule allows the FTC to charge civil penalties of up to $43,280 per violation.  The rule will become effective 30 days after publication in the Federal Register.  For background, see ALWR—Week Ending October 2, 2020, FTC Closes Comment Period on “Made in USA.”

Antitrust: USDA Announces Actions in Response to Executive Order on Competition
On July 9, 2021, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced several actions in response to President Biden’s “Executive Order on Promoting Competition in the American Economy,” issued the same day.  According to the announcement, USDA will initiate three rulemakings under the Packers and Stockyards Act that will: (1) define “unfair,” “deceptive,” and “unjustly discriminatory” conduct that USDA considers a violation of the Act; (2) address unjust practices in the poultry industry; and (3) clarify USDA’s stance that “it is not necessary to demonstrate harm or likely harm to competition in order to establish a violation of the Act.”  USDA also states that it will develop a plan to increase opportunities for producers to access new markets and will initiate new labeling rules in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s “Made in USA” rule for products regulated by the Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS).  Additionally, USDA will be requesting comments on how to best utilize $500 million to improve meat and poultry processing infrastructure and has developed overtime and holiday inspection fee reductions for small meat, poultry, and egg production plants.

Agritourism: Pennsylvania Enacts Law Limiting Civil Liability for Agritourism Activities
On June 30, 2021, Pennsylvania Governor Wolf signed into law HB 101, now known as Act 27 of 2021, granting an agritourism activity provider immunity from civil liability for injury or damages to a third party participant in an agritourism activity that takes place on agricultural land, provided that signage and an executed written agreement exists that is compliant with the Act.  The immunity does not apply to injuries and damages caused by criminal, intentional, reckless or grossly negligent conduct.  In addition, the Act specifically excludes damages that arise from overnight accommodations, weddings, concerts, or food and beverage service.  Agricultural land is defined as land used for a “normal agricultural operation,” as defined in Pennsylvania’s Right to Farm Law.  Agritourism activity is defined as farm-related tourism or entertainment, whether or not for a fee, that allows the general public to “tour, explore, observe, learn about, participate in or be entertained by an aspect of agricultural production, harvesting, husbandry or rural lifestyle.”  The law is effective on August 30, 2021.

Dairy Pricing: California Dairy Producers’ Referendum Fails to Terminate Quota System
On July 2, 2021, the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) released the results of the California Market Milk Producers’ referendum vote on whether to eliminate the state’s Quota Implementation Plan (QIP) effective March 1, 2025.  733 of the 933, or 78.56% of the eligible producers voted in favor of the referendum, meeting the 51% participation requirement.  Elimination the QIP required an affirmative vote from either 65% of the voters who produce 51% of the total milk or 51% of the voters who produce 65% of the total milk.  However, only 49.25% of the voters who produced 54.47% of the total milk voted to eliminate the QIP, thus falling short of the needed votes to pass the referendum.  California’s quota system, which collects an assessment on Class I sales and distributes it to quota purchasers, will remain in place and be administered as it has since Federal Milk Marketing Order No. 51 was implemented in 2018.  For background, see ALWR—Week Ending January 29, 2021, “California to Hold Referendum on State Quota Premium System.”

Water Quality: Foundation for Food & Agriculture Awards $10 Million for Six-Year Dairy Soil and Water Study
On June 17, 2021, the Foundation for Food & Agriculture Research (FFAR) announced the award of a $10 million grant to the Dairy Research Institute to support a six-year study titled “Dairy Soil and Water Regeneration: Building Soil Health to Reduce Greenhouse Gases, Improve Water Quality and Enable New Economic Benefits.” The data generated will support the U.S. dairy industry’s Net Zero Initiative. The study will be conducted across four dairy regions, designated as Northeast, Lakes, Mountain, and Pacific, which account for 80% of U.S. milk production.

Agribusiness: Hershey and Land O’Lakes Partner with Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay to Implement “Sustainable Dairy PA.”
On June 30, 2021, the Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay announced that is has partnered with The Hershey Company (Hershey) and Land O’Lakes, Inc. to form Sustainable Dairy PA, a collaboration to support an environmentally-sound supply chain for Hershey’s chocolate production in Pennsylvania.  According to Sustainable Dairy PA, Hershey has committed an initial $300,000 to help Land O’Lakes member dairy farms implement agricultural conservation practices.  The Alliance’s website states that the collaboration has prioritized 119 Central Pennsylvania Land O’Lakes dairy farmers who sell 50% or more of their milk supply to Hershey.

Center for Agricultural and Shale Law Programs & Resources:

Podcast: Penn State Agricultural Law Podcast, listen to our latest weekly episode here.

Penn State News, Research & Resources:

Study Reveals Agriculture-Related Injuries More Numerous Than Previously Known (June 22, 2021).

Loss of Biodiversity in Streams Threatens Vital Biological Process (July 1, 2021).

Other Agricultural Law/Policy Resources of Interest: 

Kitt Tovar Jensen, Florida’s Amended Right to Farm Law Goes into Effect July 1 (July 1, 2021).

Peggy Kirk Hall, Ohio legislature passes solar and wind project siting and approval bill (July 1, 2021).

Paul Goeringer, Group Does Not Have Standing to Challenge USDA Loan Guarantee for Poultry Farm (July 6, 2021).

Brigit Rollins, From Supreme Court to State Courts, Important Enviro Rulings from June 2021 (July 8, 2021).

Peggy Kirk Hall, Agriculture loses more cases than it wins in recent federal decisions (July 9, 2021).

Kristine A. Tidgren, IRS Provides Guidance for Farming Loss NOLs (July 1, 2021).

Roger A. McEowen, IRS Guidance On Farm NOLs (July 9, 2021).

Tiffany Lashmet, AFPC Analyzes Proposed Tax Change Impact on Representative Farms (July 5, 2021).

Roger A. McEowen, The “EIDL Trap” For Farm Borrowers (July 7, 2021).

Dave Aiken (U. of Neb-Lincoln’s Center for Agricultural Profitability) Ag Carbon Credit Contract Checklist (June 25, 2021)

Hoard’s Dairyman, How Milk Gets Sent North of the Border (July 5, 2021)

DairyLivestream, USMCA: Is Canada Really Limiting U.S. Dairy Sales? (July 1, 2021)

Weekly Featured Graphics

1. Farmdoc Daily, U.S. Agricultural Exports at Record Level in First Four Months of 2021 (June 30, 2021)

2. Farmdoc Daily, Framing Food Loss – Why It Matters (June 24. 2021)

AGENCY PRESS RELEASES—STATE/FEDERAL

Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture Press Releases:

Department Of Agriculture Announces PA Farm Show Summer Food Fest, Includes On-Site Ag Education Opportunities (July 6, 2021).

Secretary Of Agriculture: $300,000 Available To Promote Pennsylvania Agriculture Sales, Export Markets (July 7, 2021).

Wolf Administration Continues Investing In Future Of Agriculture, $13.6 Million PA Farm Bill Funded For Third Round (July 8, 2021).

Agriculture Secretary: State Budget Boosts Farm Income, Food Security For At-Risk Families (July 9, 2021).

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Press Releases:

USDA Invests $21 Million in High-Speed Broadband in Rural New York (July 6, 2021).

Biden-Harris Administration Invests $307 Million in Rural Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Improvements in 34 States and Puerto Rico (July 7, 2021).

USDA Announces $500 Million for Expanded Meat & Poultry Processing Capacity as Part of Efforts to Increase Competition, Level the Playing Field for Family Farmers and Ranchers, and Build a Better Food System (July 9, 2021).

USDA Agency Press Releases:

Agricultural Marketing Service

New USDA Grading Dashboard Expands Access to Data (July 9, 2021).

Agricultural Research Service

Securing Plant Genebank Collections and Providing Educational Resources For Training Opportunities  (July 7, 2021).

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

APHIS Added Malaysia to the List of Regions Affected with African Swine Fever (July 6, 2021).

Food Safety and Inspection Service

Constituent Update: USDA Announces Funding to Expand Meat and Poultry Processing Capacity (July 9, 2021).

Foreign Agricultural Service

Private Exporters Report Sales Activity for Mexico (July 8, 2021).

Private Exporters Report Sales Activity for Mexico (July 9, 2021).

National Institute of Food and Agriculture

NIFA Invests $14M in Animal Health and Disease Research (July 7, 2021).

NIFA Invests $6.2M to Prepare More Teachers in Food and Ag Science (July 7, 2021).

Risk Management Agency

Producers Can Now Hay, Graze and Chop Cover Crops Anytime and Still Receive Full Prevented Planting Payment (July 6, 2021).

STATE ACTIONS—EXECUTIVE/LEGISLATIVE

Pennsylvania Executive Agencies (Pa. Bulletin Vol. 51, No. 28—July 10, 2021):

Department of Conservation and Natural Resources

51 Pa.B. 3761 Notice: “Proposed Exchange of Property.”

Department of Environmental Protection

51 Pa.B. 3761 Notice: “The Pennsylvania Clean Streams Law And The Federal Clean Water Act: Applications For National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Permits And Water Quality Management (WQM) Permits Under The Clean Streams Law And Federal Clean Water Act.”

51 Pa.B. 3816 Notice: “Availability of Technical Guidance [Verification of Emergency Containment Structures for Aboveground Storage Tanks].”

Environmental Quality Board

51 Pa.B. 3733 Rules and Regulations: “Water Quality Standards; Class A Stream Redesignations.”

Milk Marketing Board

51 Pa.B. 3826 Notice: “Sunshine Meetings for Fiscal Year 2021-2022.”

Susquehanna River Basin Commission

51 Pa.B. 3831 Notice: “Actions Taken at June Meeting.”

51 Pa.B. 3832 Notice: “Projects Approved for Consumptive Uses of Water.”

Pennsylvania Legislature      

SB 778 “An Act providing for small business fee exemption.” Referred to State Government [Senate] (July 6, 2021).

SB 779 “An Act amending . . . the Tax Reform Code of 1971, providing for small business tax reinvestment.” Referred to Finance [Senate] (July 6, 2021).

SB 778 “An Act amending . . . the Equal Pay Law, providing for pay ranges.” Referred to Labor and Industry [Senate] (July 7, 2021).

SB 792 “An Act amending Title 62 (Procurement) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in contract clauses and preference provisions, providing for solar photovoltaic technologies; and imposing duties on the Auditor General, the Department of Community and Economic Development and the Department of Environmental Protection.” Referred to Environmental Resources and Energy [Senate] (July 7, 2021).

FEDERAL ACTIONS—EXECUTIVE/LEGISLATIVE

Federal Executive Agencies (Federal Register July 6–9, 2021):

Agriculture Department

86 FR 36249 Notice: “Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request [Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service: APHIS Student Outreach Program]” (July 9, 2021).

86 FR 36249 Notice: “Increase in Fiscal Year 2021 Specialty Sugar Tariff-Rate Quota” (July 9, 2021).

Agricultural Marketing Service

86 FR 35409 Proposed Rule, referendum order: “Pecans Grown in the States of Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Kansas, Louisiana, Missouri, Mississippi, North Carolina, New Mexico, Oklahoma, South Carolina, and Texas; Continuance Referendum; Reopening of Voting Period” (July 6, 2021).

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

86 FR 35459 Notice: “Addition of Malaysia to the List of Regions Affected With African Swine Fever” (July 6, 2021).

86 FR 35729 Notice—Comment Period: “Oral Rabies Vaccine Program; Availability of a Supplemental Environmental Assessment” (July 7, 2021).

Fish and Wildlife Service

86 FR 35821 Notice—Comment Period: “Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to the Office of Management and Budget for Review and Approval; Land-Based Wind Energy Guidelines” (July 7, 2021).

86 FR 35708 Proposed Rule—Comment Period: “Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Reclassification of the Razorback Sucker From Endangered to Threatened With a Section 4(d) Rule” (July 7, 2021).

86 FR 35824 Notice—Comment Period: “Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Draft Recovery Plan for Agave eggersiana” (July 7, 2021).

86 FR 35819 Notice—Comment Period: “Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Draft Recovery Plan for Mosquito Range Mustard” (July 7, 2021).

Food and Drug Administration

86 FR 36284 Notice—Comment Period: “Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission for Office of Management and Budget Review; Comment Request; Animal Food Labeling; Declaration of Certified and Non-Certified Color Additives” (July 9, 2021).

86 FR 36282 Notice—Comment Period: “Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission for Office of Management and Budget Review; Comment Request; Food and Cosmetic Export Certificates” (July 9, 2021).

Food and Nutrition Service

86 FR 35460 Notice—Comment Period: “Agency Information Collection Activities: Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Emergency Allotments (COVID-19)” (July 6, 2021).

86 FR 35731 Notice: “Child and Adult Care Food Program: National Average Payment Rates, Day Care Home Food Service Payment Rates, and Administrative Reimbursement Rates for Sponsoring Organizations of Day Care Homes for the Period July 1, 2021 Through June 30, 2022” (July 7, 2021).

Food Safety and Inspection Service

86 FR 35730 Notice—Comment Period: “Notice of Request for Revision of an Approved Information Collection: Foodborne Illness Outbreak Investigation Survey for FSIS Public Health Partners” (July 7, 2021).

86 FR 36086 Notice: “Availability of Revised Compliance Guidelines for Controlling Salmonella and Campylobacter in Raw Poultry” (July 8, 2021).

Forest Service

86 FR 35468 Notice—Comment Period: “Information Collection; Pesticide-Use Proposal” (July 6, 2021).

86 FR 35462 Notice—Comment Period: “Privacy Act of 1974; System of Records [USDA/FS-63 Application Cloud Environment]” (July 6, 2021).

86 FR 35465 Notice—Comment Period: “Privacy Act of 1974; System of Records [Law Enforcement Investigations Reporting System]” (July 6, 2021).

86 FR 35469 Notice—Comment Period: “Privacy Act of 1974; System of Records [USDA/Forest Service-16 Mineral Lessees and Permittees System of Records]” (July 6, 2021).

86 FR 36090 Notice—Comment Period: “Proposed New Fee Site” (July 8, 2021).

Internal Revenue Service

86 FR 35868 Notice—Comment Period: “Proposed Collection; Comment Request on Reduction of Tax Attributes Due to Discharge of Indebtedness” (July 7, 2021).

Rural Utilities Service

86 FR 36193 Final Rule: “Streamlining Electric Program Procedures” (July 9, 2021).

Small Business Administration

86 FR 35559 Notice: “Administrative Declaration of a Disaster for the State of Florida” (July 6, 2021).

U.S. Codex Office

86 FR 35459 Notice: “Codex Alimentarius Commission: Meeting of the Codex Committee on Food Labelling” (July 6, 2021).

U.S. Customs and Border Protection

86 FR 35566 Interim Final Rule, comments accepted: “Agreement Between the United States of America, the United Mexican States, and Canada (USMCA) Implementing Regulations Related to the Marking Rules, Tariff-Rate Quotas, and Other USMCA Provisions” (July 6, 2021).

86 FR 35422 Proposed Rule—Comment Period: “Non-Preferential Origin Determinations for Merchandise Imported From Canada or Mexico for Implementation of the Agreement Between the United States of America, the United Mexican States, and Canada (USMCA)” (July 6, 2021).

U.S. House Agriculture Committee      

H.R.3369 “Broadband for Rural America Act” Referred to the Subcommittee on Commodity Exchanges, Energy, and Credit (July 7, 2021).

H.R.3412 “Alleviating Stress Test Burdens To Help Investors Act” Referred to the Subcommittee on Commodity Exchanges, Energy, and Credit (July 7, 2021).

H.R.3435 “American Broadband Act” Referred to the Subcommittee on Commodity Exchanges, Energy, and Credit (July 7, 2021).

H.R.3527 “Recreation Not Red Tape Act” Referred to the Subcommittee on Conservation and Forestry (July 7, 2021).

H.R.3532 “To require the Secretary of Agriculture to carry out a periodic wildfire assessment, and for other purposes.” Referred to the Subcommittee on Conservation and Forestry (July 7, 2021).

H.R.3534 “Wildfire Emergency Act of 2021” Referred to the Subcommittee on Conservation and Forestry (July 7, 2021).

H.R.3570 “Compact Impact Fairness Act of 2021” Referred to the Subcommittee on Nutrition, Oversight, and Department Operations (July 7, 2021).

H.R.3617 “Marijuana Opportunity Reinvestment and Expungement Act of 2021” or the “MORE Act of 2021” Referred to the Subcommittee on Conservation and Forestry (July 7, 2021).

H.R.3670 “Simplifying Outdoor Access for Recreation Act” or the “SOAR Act” Referred to the Subcommittee on Conservation and Forestry (July 7, 2021).

H.R.3766 “Optimizing the Cattle Market Act of 2021” Referred to the Subcommittee on Livestock and Foreign Agriculture (July 7, 2021).

H.R.3782 “Relief for America’s Small Farmers Act” Referred to the Subcommittee on Commodity Exchanges, Energy, and Credit (July 7, 2021).

H.R.3442 “National Prescribed Fire Act of 2021” Referred to the Subcommittee on Conservation and Forestry (July 9, 2021).

H.R.3453 “Anti-Hunger Pandemic Recovery Act of 2021” Referred to the Subcommittee on Nutrition, Oversight, and Department Operations (July 9, 2021).

H.R.3625 “United States-Cuba Relations Normalization Act” Referred to the Subcommittee on General Farm Commodities and Risk Management (July 9, 2021).

H.R.4374 “To bolster certain rural broadband programs of the Department of Agriculture.” Referred to the Committee on Agriculture and the Committee on Energy and Commerce (July 9, 2021).

H.R.4375 “To provide funding to rehabilitate, retrofit, and remove the Nation’s dams to improve the health of the Nation’s rivers, improve public safety, and increase clean energy production, and for other purposes.” Referred to the Committees on Transportation and Infrastructure; Ways and Means; Energy and Commerce; Natural Resources; Science, Space, and Technology; and Agriculture (July 9, 2021).

H.R.4379 “To amend the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act to require the Secretary of Agriculture to make loan guarantees and grants to finance certain improvements to school lunch facilities, to train school food service personnel, and for other purposes.” Referred to the Committees on Education and Labor, Agriculture, and Appropriations (July 9, 2021).

H.R.4383 “To amend the Rural Electrification Act of 1936 to provide requirements on the use of assistance for broadband deployment, and for other purposes.” Referred to the Committee on Agriculture and the Committee on Energy and Commerce (July 9, 2021).

U.S. Senate Committee Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry:     

No new actions July 6–9, 2021.    

Connect with the Center on Facebook or on Twitter @AgShaleLaw

Top #AgLaw HotLinks July 6–9, 2021.    

Meat Demand Is Under Threat Like ‘Never Before’ as Prices Surge, Bloomberg

Minority Farmer Debt Relief Could Take Years to Litigate, Progressive Farmer DTN

NPPC Calls for Labor Reform, Launches Campaign, Feedstuffs

Dairy Analysis: Global Milk Supplies Starting to Outweigh Demand, Agriland

Farmers Report Difficulty Hiring Adequate Labor, Brownfield

EU Signaling End of the ‘Cage Age’, Brownfield

Pa. Rolls Out Nation’s First Spotted Lanternfly Detection Dog, Farm and Dairy

Drought’s Toll on U.S. Agriculture Points to Even-Higher Food Prices, The Wall Street Journal

Bipartisan Legislation Introduced for Wisconsin Dairy, Dairy Reporter

New US Rules to Protect Animal Farmers Expected Soon, Associated Press

Ag Economy Barometer Falls for Second Month; Rising Input Costs Causing Concern for Farmers, Purdue Center for Commercial Agriculture

Checkoff Reform Legislation Reintroduced, Feedstuffs

Small Farms Have Large Impact on Pa. Ag., Reports Suggest, Morning Ag Clips

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Written by:
Audry Thompson—Research Assistant
Brook Duer—Staff Attorney