Ruling allows 15 state beef councils to continue operating while the court case winds its way through the legal system.

January 29, 2020

2 Min Read
Checkoff court ruling
Getty Images/Mark Metcalf

“The beef checkoff continues to provide important benefits for cattle producers in the form of research and promotion that returns nearly $12 for every dollar invested in the program. The Beef Checkoff is weakened, and the benefits it provides our industry are put in jeopardy, by lawsuits such as this one,” said Colin Woodall, NCBA CEO.

“We’re committed to defending state beef councils from these attacks and ensuring producers at the grassroots level continue to determine how checkoff dollars are invested in their states.”

He’s referring to a court ruling Wednesday, Jan. 29, in the case of R-CALF vs. Sonny Perdue against the Beef Checkoff in 15 states. The beef industry won an important victory helping ensure cattlemen and cattlewomen will continue to direct how checkoff investments are made at the state level, NCBA said in a statement following the ruling.

A magistrate judge granted summary judgment to the government and the 15 qualified state beef councils targeted by R-CALF and its activist legal partners at Public Justice.

“We are pleased with today’s opinion, which allows state beef councils to continue the important work of beef promotion and research. Although this case is far from complete, this was a crucial step toward ensuring state beef councils retain the important ability to direct their investments at the grassroots level,” Woodall said.

The decision of the magistrate judge will now be forwarded to the federal district court for a final ruling. It could continue to be appealed by either party after the district court judge issues an opinion, a process that will continue over the next several months or longer.

Source: USDAwhich is solely responsible for the information provided and is wholly owned by the source. Informa Business Media and all its subsidiaries are not responsible for any of the content contained in this information asset.

 

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