Many farmers were upset for months about a U.S. Department of Agriculture decision to withdraw the interim final rule from the Grain Inspections, Packers, and Stockyards Act (GIPSA).
Politico says many farmers are also worried about the possibility of retaliation from the large corporations they contract with if they get involved in the lawsuit. As a result, a lot of farmers declined to join in on the lawsuit filed by the Organization for Competitive Markets and Democracy Forward. People from both groups said they approached approximately 30 farmers about joining in with the lawsuit but many were afraid of what that might mean for their ability to make a living.
Karianne Jones, legal counsel for Democracy Forward, says, “That fear is really rampant. We talked to a variety of farmers who expressed interest in what we are doing.”
Jonathan Buttram is a poultry producer from northern Alabama. He’s seen his operation shrink from 360,000 birds and 1,000 brood cows to only 80 brood cows. He believes speaking out as President of the Alabama Contract Poultry Growers Association and an OCM board member has cost him significant business.
From the National Association of Farm Broadcasting News Service.