In January 2023, the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) proposed a rule that would require that animal traceability regulations require “official” animal ear tags to be both visually and electronically readable. This rule is part of HR 4366, which is the Consolidated Appropriations Act 2024, which contains many items. Please click […]
Food Rights News
FTCLDF Leadership Reflects on Black History Month
February is Black History Month, and as February comes to a close, we at FTCLDF are reflecting on the history of discrimination in America’s farming communities, what is being done about repairing the damage it caused, and what has yet to be done. Today, according to the latest U.S. agricultural census, approximately 1.4% of American […]
Update: State of Maine and Town of Kenduskeag Strengthen Laws Related to Food Freedom
In response to action taken by FTCLDF and some of its members, drafters of the Maine Food Sovereignty Act and the Town of Kenduskeag decided to improve on the relevant laws and make it absolutely crystal clear that the kind of food preparation being done by Kenduskeag Kitchen is covered by the law and was […]
Increase the Supply of Farm-Raised Meats; Support the PRIME Act and Changes to FMIA
Small livestock farmers and custom meat processors would love to sell more meat locally. And consumers want to buy meat from local farms. The problem is federal policy makes this exchange extremely difficult. There are two bills on the table that will support the supply of farm-raised meats by improving access to local meat processing […]
2023 State Legislative Session Summary Shows Progress for Food Freedom
The 2023 state legislative session resulted in the passing of a number of laws relevant to the Farm-to-Consumer Legal Defense Fund’s mission, and of impact to our members and their food production operations. Some state sessions remain active, so there may yet be more laws to come, but we wanted to take this opportunity to give […]