• Court briefs were filed earlier this week in the litigation over Country of Origin Labeling.

    In the American Meat Institute vs. USDA case, the meat industry contends USDA exceeded the intent of Congress in the law. That case is separate from the ongoing issues surrounding COOL at the World Trade Organization.

    The industry had sought a rehearing by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia. Meat industry representatives lost their appeal seeking a preliminary injunction blocking implementation of the COOL rule.

    The case was a split decision based on interpretation of First Amendment law as it applies to commercial speech.

  • Northwest Farm Credit Services has released their quarterly snapshot of the northwest Ag industry and according to the report it appears fortunes are shifting in the northwest with the nursery industry seeing one of their most profitable seasons since 2008.

    Beef and cattle prices continue to post new highs, while Northwest dairies benefit from near-record milk prices. The report also looks ahead and sees global market trends and reduced competitiveness of U.S. exports may impact the apple, dairy, and cattle industries.

    Lower export demand is already impacting the forest products and hay industries.

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