This Week's Spotlights
Case Law Updates - Federal Case Law Updates
California Resident Sues Smithfield over Water Pollution
A resident of California has filed suit against Smithfield Foods, alleging that runoff from the company’s slaughterhouses is impacting his ability to enjoy the local scenery and having larger impacts on wildlife.
Agency Updates
Groups File Complaint with FTC Against Cargill for Deceptive Labeling of Turkey Brands
Richman Law Group, on behalf of Animal Equality, Family Farm Action Alliance, Venceremos, Mighty Earth, Organic Consumers Association, and Socially Responsible Agricultural Project has filed a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission, alleging that Cargill uses misleading marketing campaigns to suggest that two of its brands involve higher animal welfare standards, better treatment of workers, and more sustainable environmental practices than they actually do.
Legislative Updates
Pending State Actions
Texas Considers Requiring Animal Shelter Disclosure of Epizootic Infection
Texas House Bill 652 proposes to require animal shelters give notice to each person who adopts an animal from the shelter of any epizootic infections in the shelter 15 days before and after the animal is adopted.
Case Law Updates
Federal Case Law Updates
Upton’s and PBFA to Appeal Denial of Preliminary Injunction for Oklahoma Law
Upton’s Naturals Co. and the Plant Based Foods Association have said that they will appeal to the Tenth Circuit an order by a federal judge refusing to grant a preliminary injunction to block the enforcement of an Oklahoma law that bars plant-based foods being labeled with terms often used to refer to meat products, such as “burger.”
California Resident Sues Smithfield over Water Pollution
A resident of California has filed suit against Smithfield Foods, alleging that runoff from the company’s slaughterhouses is impacting his ability to enjoy the local scenery and having larger impacts on wildlife.
Agency Updates
Groups File Complaint with FTC Against Cargill for Deceptive Labeling of Turkey Brands
Richman Law Group, on behalf of Animal Equality, Family Farm Action Alliance, Venceremos, Mighty Earth, Organic Consumers Association, and Socially Responsible Agricultural Project has filed a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission, alleging that Cargill uses misleading marketing campaigns to suggest that two of its brands involve higher animal welfare standards, better treatment of workers, and more sustainable environmental practices than they actually do
NMFS Proposes Critical Habitat for Threatened Corals
The National Marine Fisheries Service has proposed to designate critical habitat under the Endangered Species Act for threatened corals in the Caribbean and U.S. waters in the Indo-Pacific. The agency is accepting comments on the proposed rules until January 26, 2021.