Thursday, April 13, 2017

Trump delays lawsuit legislation

United States President Donald Trump has delayed implementation of legislation to make it easier for farmers to sue contractors for whom they grow chickens, pigs and other livestock.

The law was passed in 2010, but not implemented until outgoing president Barack Obama set April 22 as the start date.

The rule would make it easier for farmers to sue companies they contract with over unfair, discriminatory or deceptive practices. Currently, several court rulings have interpreted federal law as saying a farmer must prove a company's actions harm competition in the entire industry before a lawsuit can move forward.

The rule eases that high burden of proof.


For years some chicken growers who enter long-term contracts with companies like Tyson Foods and Pilgrim's Pride have alleged the industry locks them into deals that fix their compensation at unprofitably low levels and forces them deeply into debt.