On December 6, 2024, the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Services (APHIS) announced a new rule authorizing testing of raw milk for the H5N1 virus. The order specifies: “Upon request from APHIS any person responsible for a dairy farm, bulk milk transporter, bulk milk transfer station, or dairy processing facility that sends or […]
Litigation
Farm-to-Consumer Signs onto the LOCAL Foods Act to Benefit On-Farm Slaughter
Farm-to-Consumer Legal Defense Fund is one of dozens of organizations, and more than 600 signatories from across the country to support a petition by Rural Vermont to improve the Federal Meat Inspection Act (FMIA). Currently, FMIA only allows farmers to raise, slaughter, and butcher their animals without inspection for their personal use, not sold to […]
New Developments in the Fight for Food Sovereignty in Maine
For almost two years Maine state regulators have kept a small home food business from serving healthy, prepared meals to a rural community. Farm-to-Consumer Legal Defense Fund (FTCLDF), in support of Kenduskeag Kitchen owner Rhiannon Deschaine and other members, maintains the action taken by the State of Maine Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) […]
A Seat at the Table: A Right to Food Fundraiser is Sept. 28, 2024 in Portland, Me.
Join us in the fight to protect the rights of local, sustainable, farmers, food makers, and their consumers! FTCLDF and some of our members are in a critical Right to Food legal battle between Kenduskeag Kitchen, a small, local, food producer, and the State of Maine. FTCLDF’s “A Seat at the Table” fundraiser, to be held […]
FTCLDF’s 24-Hour Spring Emergency Hotline Heavy on Livestock Guardian Issues
Our member survey consistently shows our 24-Hour Emergency Hotline is one of the services our members value most. The hotline is available 24-hours in the event of a farm raid, surprise visit, inspection, or short-term notice regarding a member’s farm, ranch, homestead, cottage food business, or buying club. We always have an attorney on-call […]