Wheeler v. Pilgrim’s Pride Brief Filed
PRESS RELEASE CONTACT: Becky Ceartas, RAFI, (919) 621-8453 download a printable copy (MS Word) COALITION FILES BRIEF TO PROTECT FAIR LIVESTOCK AND POULTRY MARKETS An unprecedented coalition of over 50 farmer, rancher, and consumer groups filed a friend of the court brief today in a lawsuit to fully protect the rights of farmers, ranchers, and poultry growers from unfair and deceptive practices by livestock and poultry processing companies. At issue in this case – Wheeler v. Pilgrim’s Pride – is the Packers and Stockyards Act, which Congress enacted over 80 years ago to protect farmers and ranchers from deceptive and egregious conduct. Fifty-four organizations, representing poultry growers, farmers, ranchers, people of faith, rural communities, and consumers, signed onto the brief in the case. Mike Weaver, President of the Contract Poultry Growers Association of the Virginias, said, “The Packers and Stockyards Act is the most important law to protect me and my fellow growers from abusive practices by the companies that we raise chickens for. This law provides the U.S. Department of Agriculture with the regulations to oversee the industry to make sure that they are not cheating farmers.” The PSA prohibits livestock, pork, and poultry companies from engaging in “any unfair, unjustly discriminatory, or deceptive practice or device.” The plain language of the act prohibits “any” such practice. However, some courts have interpreted that in order to show a violation a plaintiff must demonstrate that the practice had an adverse effect on competition. This requirement, used by some courts, is inconsistent with the law and Congressional intent, according to the brief. “Even though the Packers and Stockyards Act has not been enforced as it was intended, it’s the only protection ranchers have from monopoly exploitation,” said Gilles Stockton, a rancher from Grass Range, Mont., with the Western Organization of Resource Councils, a network of western agriculture and conservation groups. “We have to defend it every chance we get. It should be implemented as it was written, in plain language, and intended.” A copy of the brief is available upon request by calling the Rural Advancement Foundation International-USA at (919) 542-1396. Read it online here. ### RAFI is a nonprofit based in Pittsboro, NC that cultivates markets, policies and communities that support thriving, socially just and environmentally sound family farms. Visit www.rafiusa.org for more information. The Western Organization of Resource Councils is a network of conservation and family agriculture organizations in Colorado, Idaho, Montana, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, and Wyoming. Visit www.worc.org for more information. ORGANIZATIONS THAT SIGNED THE BRIEF OF AMICUS CURIAE -END SIGN-ON LIST- |
Privacy Policy