Help Needed on 2012 Farm Bill: Protect Cattle Market Competitiveness

By Bill Bullard
R-CALF USA

The 2012 Farm Bill process appears to be moving very quickly, so we need the public to help us urge the Senate to include in the Farm Bill both the Livestock Marketing Fairness Act and the Ban on Packer Ownership of Livestock.  These bills will help protect the competitiveness of the US cattle market, by slowing the rapid monopoly concentration of the U.S. feeding industry.

Please call your U.S. Senators this week and urge them to become a cosponsor on both the Livestock Marketing Fairness Act (S. 1026) and the Ban on Packer Ownership of Livestock (S. 2141).

Will Organic Farmers See Their Day in Court against Monsanto?

By OSGATA
Organic Seed Growers and Trade Assn.

In a development celebrated by the organic plaintiffs, Judge Naomi Buchwald announced on Dec. 28 that oral arguments on Monsanto’s motion to dismiss the Organic Seed Growers and Trade Association (OSGATA) et al v. Monsanto will be heard in federal district court January 31, 2012 in Manhattan. Judge Buchwald’s decision will establish if organic farmers are to see their day in court.