We blogged on March 12, 2018, about the State of Iowa’s appeal of a District Court order finding that its so-called “ag-gag” statute violated the First Amendment. The statute made it a criminal offense to gain access to farm facilities by false pretenses or to make a knowingly false statement in an employment application. The purpose is to make it harder for undercover investigations to uncover animal abuse.
Food Safety News discussed efforts to keep African swine flu out of the U.S.
Reuters discussed the impact of Midwest flooding on pets and livestock.
The Washington Post reported on Burger King’s coffee subscription plan.
CBS News reported on efforts in Hawaii to ban plastic at restaurants.
Barron’s discussed roll-out of K-Cup system for cocktails.
On January 16, 2019, we blogged about the successful challenge to Iowa’s so-called Ag-Gag Law, designed to prevent undercover investigations of abusive farm practices. As expected, the state of Iowa has appealed that decision to the Eighth Circuit.
The Wisconsin State Journal discussed the huge growth in hemp farm applications.
AgriPulse reported on consumer demands impacting the food supply chain.
The East Bay Times reported on research at Cal Berkeley to grow food without fertilizer.
CBS News discussed the coming boom in CBD shops.
Reuters reported on FDA plans to issue new meat company guidelines.
On February 26, 2019, in Nutraceutical Corp. v. Lambert, the Supreme Court of the United States held that Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 23(f)’s 14-day deadline to request permission to appeal a district court’s order regarding class certification cannot be equitably tolled.
USAgNet discussed efforts to combat stress in the lives of farm families.
Food Safety News discussed the food safety funding in final government spending bill.
The Poultry Site reported on the development of a probiotic to be used to fight global poultry disease.
USA Today discussed technology being developed to allow shoppers to scan grocery cases with their phone for foods that meet their dietary needs.
The Nation discussed the rise in farm bankruptcies.
On February 19, 2019, the Supreme Court agreed to hear arguments regarding “Whether the CWA [Clean Water Act] requires a permit when pollutants originate from a point source but are conveyed to navigable waters by a nonpoint source, such as groundwater” following a circuit split between the Fourth, Sixth, and Ninth Federal Circuit Court of Appeals. Read more about this case history and the legal arguments on the Emerging Energy Insights blog:
CWA Series: SCOTUS Agrees to Grant Certiorari on Indirect Discharge Question
Continuing Legal Education (CLE) Seminar
Join our Dr. Laura Labeots and a panel of other speakers on March 14, 2019 for a collaborative discussion regarding intellectual property for agriculture and plants. The CLE seminar is complimentary for members AND non-members of the Intellectual Property Law Association of Chicago.
Speakers will include:
In the past, Plant Variety Protection (PVP) Certificates could only be used to protect plant varieties that reproduce sexually (through seeds) or through tuber propagation. However, the Agricultural Improvement Act of 2018 recently amended the Plant Variety Protection Act (PVPA) by extending protection to plant varieties that reproduce asexually from a single parent (through cutting, grafting, tissue culture, and root division).1
Continue Reading Plant Intellectual Property (IP) Protections Grows
Marijuana Business Daily discussed the confusion between hemp and marijuana.
The North Bay Business Journal reported on efforts to make cannabis beverages.
Forbes discussed a New York City CBD crackdown.
CBC discussed reusable packaging use for big retailers in Canada.
Produce News discussed a new Hy-Vee pilot program targeting food waste.