Cancellation Of Farmer Fair Practice Rules Challenged In Court

DES MOINES, IA — A lawsuit filed Thursday in an Iowa court seeks to reverse the October decision by the U.S. Department of Agriculture vacating the farmer fair practices rules.

Farmers in Alabama and Nebraska have joined a Nebraska-based fair trade group to sued the USDA at the 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals over the agency's cancellation of farmer fair practice rules. These regulations would have made it easier for farmers to demand better treatment when negotiating with meatpacking companies.

The Obama-era rule were canceled after Donald Trump took office. They would have made it easier for farmers to sue over contracts deemed unfair, discriminatory or deceptive.

Nonprofit-based legal group Democracy Forward sued on behalf of Lincoln, Nebraska-based Organization for Competitive Markets; Nebraska farmer James Dinklage; and Alabama farm couple Jonathan and Connie Buttram.

A USDA spokesman declined comment.

By DAVID PITT, Associated Press

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