Ranchers-Cattlemen Action Legal Fund v. USDA explained

Ranchers-Cattlemen Action Legal Fund v. USDA (No. 2:17-cv-00223) is a challenge to USDA rules that allow Mexican and Canadian beef to be labelled as domestic beef.^[1]

This case is distinguished from Ranchers-Cattlemen Action Legal Fund v. Sonny Perdue (No. 4:16-cv-00041-BMM) in which plaintiffs allege that checkoff dollars are being used to support Canadian and Mexican beef.

Facts and prior history

In 2016, the United States Department of Agriculture rescinded regulations requiring Mexican and Canadian beef be marked as imported. Plaintiffs filed the complaint May 19, 2017.

In March 2018, plaintiffs asked for a summary judgement in their favor.^[2]

Developments

• First Amendment Challenge to Beef Checkoff Program Dismissed On March 27, 2020
• Serial Legal Challenges to Federal Beef Checkoff Program Continue on September 11, 2020
• Federal Appeals Court Upholds Dismissal of R-CALF Beef Checkoff Challenge On July 27, 2021 https://www.docketalarm.com/cases/US_Court_of_Appeals_Ninth_Circuit/20-35453/R-CALF_USA_v._Thomas_Vilsack_et_al/

Notes and References

1. Web site: Complaint. E.D. Wash.. 24 August 2017. June 19, 2017.
2. Web site: Bullard . Bill . RANCH GROUPS MAKE CLAIM FOR SUMMARY JUDGMENT IN SUIT TO RETURN USDA COUNTRY-OF-ORIGIN LABELING . R-CALF . 28 March 2019.