The 10th Circuit has ruled that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service wrongfully designated over 110,000 acres in New Mexico and Arizona as critical habitat for endangered jaguars. The panel determined that the designation was arbitrary and capricious because the agency did not issue a finding on the adequacy of the rest of the area as habitat for the endangered species.
This Week's Spotlights
Case Law Updates/Federal Case Law Updates
10th Circuit Strikes Down Critical Habitat for Jaguars
Beyond Meat Faces Another Investor Lawsuit
Investors in the plant-based protein company have filed suit against several of the company’s executives, claiming that they downplayed the company’s potential liability in a legal dispute with one of the company’s former suppliers, Don Lee Farms. Don Lee sued Beyond Meat in 2017, claiming that the plant-based company breached its contract and stole trade secrets. Two years later, Don Lee added claims that the company had altered a food safety consultant’s report and provided contaminated ingredients. Following the launch of Beyond Meat’s IPO, the investor suit claims, the company made misleading statements regarding its liability to Don Lee and the potential impact of Don Lee’s lawsuit in filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. This is at least the third such suit filed against the company this year.
Investors in the plant-based protein company have filed suit against several of the company’s executives, claiming that they downplayed the company’s potential liability in a legal dispute with one of the company’s former suppliers, Don Lee Farms. Don Lee sued Beyond Meat in 2017, claiming that the plant-based company breached its contract and stole trade secrets. Two years later, Don Lee added claims that the company had altered a food safety consultant’s report and provided contaminated ingredients. Following the launch of Beyond Meat’s IPO, the investor suit claims, the company made misleading statements regarding its liability to Don Lee and the potential impact of Don Lee’s lawsuit in filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. This is at least the third such suit filed against the company this year.
Academic Updates/Articles
Article Explores Impact of Trade on Animal Welfare
A new article published in Transnational Environmental Law investigates the relationship between world trade and animal welfare.
A new article published in Transnational Environmental Law investigates the relationship between world trade and animal welfare.
Legislative Updates
Pending State Actions
Louisiana Considers Change in Evaluation of Dogs Used in Fighting
Louisiana SB 425 proposes to change the treatment of dogs and other animals seized from animal fighting operations. Rather than requiring the euthanasia of all such animals as “dangerous dogs,” as they currently are, this legislation would require individual evaluation of each animal and provide for the placement of them if deemed appropriate.
Louisiana SB 425 proposes to change the treatment of dogs and other animals seized from animal fighting operations. Rather than requiring the euthanasia of all such animals as “dangerous dogs,” as they currently are, this legislation would require individual evaluation of each animal and provide for the placement of them if deemed appropriate.
Minnesota Considers Moratorium on Large Dairy Operations
Minnesota SF 4389, if enacted, would prohibit the construction or expansion of dairy operations that are capable of holding at least 1000 cows until June 30, 2024. There is a companion bill in the House.
Minnesota SF 4389, if enacted, would prohibit the construction or expansion of dairy operations that are capable of holding at least 1000 cows until June 30, 2024. There is a companion bill in the House.
New Jersey Legislation Would Require Animal Dealers to Document Source of Animals
New Jersey Senate Bill 2223, if enacted, would prohibit pet dealers who sell at least 15 animals per year from obtaining those animals from breeders who are not licensed and in compliance with animal welfare laws. The bill would also require the dealers to submit an annual report including the name and identifying information of the breeders that the dealer obtained animals from that year.
New Jersey Senate Bill 2223, if enacted, would prohibit pet dealers who sell at least 15 animals per year from obtaining those animals from breeders who are not licensed and in compliance with animal welfare laws. The bill would also require the dealers to submit an annual report including the name and identifying information of the breeders that the dealer obtained animals from that year.
New Jersey Legislation Would Require Mental Health Evaluations for Animal Cruelty Offenders
New Jersey Senate Bill 2179, if enacted, would require anyone who commits an animal cruelty offense to be evaluated by a mental health professional and to undergo mental health counseling if warranted by that evaluation.
New Jersey Senate Bill 2179, if enacted, would require anyone who commits an animal cruelty offense to be evaluated by a mental health professional and to undergo mental health counseling if warranted by that evaluation.
Case Law Updates
Federal Case Law Updates
10th Circuit Strikes Down Critical Habitat for Jaguars
The 10th Circuit has ruled that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service wrongfully designated over 110,000 acres in New Mexico and Arizona as critical habitat for endangered jaguars. The panel determined that the designation was arbitrary and capricious because the agency did not issue a finding on the adequacy of the rest of the area as habitat for the endangered species.
The 10th Circuit has ruled that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service wrongfully designated over 110,000 acres in New Mexico and Arizona as critical habitat for endangered jaguars. The panel determined that the designation was arbitrary and capricious because the agency did not issue a finding on the adequacy of the rest of the area as habitat for the endangered species.
Beyond Meat Faces Another Investor Lawsuit
Investors in the plant-based protein company have filed suit against several of the company’s executives, claiming that they downplayed the company’s potential liability in a legal dispute with one of the company’s former suppliers, Don Lee Farms. Don Lee sued Beyond Meat in 2017, claiming that the plant-based company breached its contract and stole trade secrets. Two years later, Don Lee added claims that the company had altered a food safety consultant’s report and provided contaminated ingredients. Following the launch of Beyond Meat’s IPO, the investor suit claims, the company made misleading statements regarding its liability to Don Lee and the potential impact of Don Lee’s lawsuit in filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. This is at least the third such suit filed against the company this year.
Investors in the plant-based protein company have filed suit against several of the company’s executives, claiming that they downplayed the company’s potential liability in a legal dispute with one of the company’s former suppliers, Don Lee Farms. Don Lee sued Beyond Meat in 2017, claiming that the plant-based company breached its contract and stole trade secrets. Two years later, Don Lee added claims that the company had altered a food safety consultant’s report and provided contaminated ingredients. Following the launch of Beyond Meat’s IPO, the investor suit claims, the company made misleading statements regarding its liability to Don Lee and the potential impact of Don Lee’s lawsuit in filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. This is at least the third such suit filed against the company this year.
Agency Updates
FWS Announces Five Year Review of Six Endangered Animal Species
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has announced it is undertaking a five year review of six species of animals protected under the Endangered Species Act, including the Texas blind salamander and the Ozark big-eared bat. The agency is accepting on this review until April 20, 2020.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has announced it is undertaking a five year review of six species of animals protected under the Endangered Species Act, including the Texas blind salamander and the Ozark big-eared bat. The agency is accepting on this review until April 20, 2020.
Academic Updates
Articles
Article Explores Impact of Trade on Animal Welfare
A new article published in Transnational Environmental Law investigates the relationship between world trade and animal welfare.
A new article published in Transnational Environmental Law investigates the relationship between world trade and animal welfare.
Article Examines Animal Welfare Implications of Air Transfer
An article produced by the Australian Veterinary Association concludes that there is only “minimal” information regarding the livestock transport by air industry.
An article produced by the Australian Veterinary Association concludes that there is only “minimal” information regarding the livestock transport by air industry.
Article Suggests Mobile Slaughter May Reduce Animal Stress
An article published in Preventative Veterinary Medicine outlines a study in which signs of animal distress at a mobile slaughter unit compared to signs of animal distress at a stationary slaughter unit. The study suggests that mobile slaughter may be less stressful for the animals prior to being killed.
An article published in Preventative Veterinary Medicine outlines a study in which signs of animal distress at a mobile slaughter unit compared to signs of animal distress at a stationary slaughter unit. The study suggests that mobile slaughter may be less stressful for the animals prior to being killed.