While the House version of the Farm Bill remains in limbo after its defeat on the floor, the Senate is moving ahead with its own version. Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman Pat Roberts (R-KS) and Ranking Member Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) worked together and released a draft bill last…
TAKE ACTION: The Farm Bill
Every five years, Congress passes a Farm Bill—a massive piece of legislation that covers crop subsidies, food stamps, conservation, energy policy on ethanol and renewables, and more. Fundamentally, the Farm Bill is about continuing and promoting the current Agribusiness model, supporting…
TOAST GOODBYE TO THE BUTTER BAN- 2018 Fundraiser
The Farm-to-Consumer Legal Defense Fund believes consumers have the right to buy products directly from farmers, but the government disagrees. The government has instead chosen to build a veritable wall of laws. These laws prohibit the sale of nutrient-dense foods, torment farmers with unannounced inspections and piles of paperwork, and make it harder for farmers
Wisconsin DATCP’s Secret Rules
The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) is commissioned by the state legislature to promote the interests of Wisconsin agriculture. The DATCP’s mission statement describes their effort to “partner with all citizens of Wisconsin to grow the economy by promoting quality food, healthy plants and animals, sound use of land and water resources, and a fair marketplace.” However, as many of our Wisconsin members can attest, DATCP behavior is far from consistent with their virtuous mission statement…
FDA Boxed in on Interstate Ban
For some time now, enforcement on the interstate ban of raw milk and raw milk products by the United States Food and Drug Administration has looked to be an exercise in futility (only raw cheese aged 60 days or more is legal in interstate commerce). Thousands of otherwise law-abiding
State Meat Processing Regulations: Taking What the Feds Give
The Wholesome Meat Act of 1967, legislation passed by Congress giving the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) the jurisdiction over intrastate meat slaughter and processing, ranks as one of the worst pieces of food
Casualties of the Raw Milk Ban
Humpback Dairy, the largest camel milk producer in the U.S., has stopped shipping raw milk for human consumption across state lines. In a January 6 letter to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Sam Hostetler, owner of
Wisconsin DATCP Shuts Down Mobile Slaughter Business
The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP, pronounced “dat-cap”) is commissioned by the state legislature to promote the interests of Wisconsin agriculture. With Congress’ repeal of
Rule on Key FSMA Definition Final
On July 14, the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a final rule amending federal regulations on the registration of food facilities with FDA. The final rule, which went into effect September 12, includes an
Keep Aspartame Out of “Milk”! Action Alert
Dairy industry petitions the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to approve aspartame as a hidden additive in milk, yogurt, eggnog and cream.
The integrity of our food supply is poised for another blow with citizens petition submitted to FDA by the International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA) and the National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF). These industry groups are asking the FDA to alter the definition of “milk” to include