U.S. Pork Checkoff | USDA’s Veneman Responds To Court Ruling | A U.S. Distr...

U.S. Pork Checkoff

USDA’s Veneman Responds To Court Ruling

A U.S. District Court in Michigan Friday (October 25) ruled that the pork checkoff program is unconstitutional. The court ordered the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the National Pork Board “to cease collection of assessments under the Pork Act and to cease the operation of the Pork Check-Off Program effective 30 days from this Final Judgement and Injunction.”

USDA Secretary Ann M. Veneman issued the following statement:

“I am disappointed that the U.S. District Court in Michigan has ruled that the Pork Promotion, Research and Consumer Information Act is unconstitutional.  The U.S. Department of Agriculture regards such programs, when properly administered, as effective tools for market enhancement.

“The pork promotion has helped to increase demand for pork and pork products and has contributed to increased U.S. pork exports.  These results have led to widespread support for the program by pork producers.

“We are consulting with the U.S. Department of Justice to determine the next steps regarding this matter.”

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