Judge Rules Ranchers Can’t Be Forced to Fund USDA’s ‘Beef: It’s What’s for Dinner’ Ad Campaign
30th June 2017
The United States Department of Agriculture’s Beef Checkoff Program violates ranchers’ First Amendment rights by subsidizing a private company’s marketing campaign, a Montana judge ruled June 21.
The United States District Court for the District of Montana upheld an injunction forbidding the USDA from subsidizing the Montana Beef Council (MBC) with money from Montana cattlemen, according to court documents.
Yeah, the Federal gubmint just LOVES spending other people’s money.
Individual producers pay a tax on each unit they sell, $1 per head of cattle sold for ranchers. That money is used by the USDA and state organizations fund major industry investments. The USDA claims the checkoff programs can provide a a return as high as 1,800 percent in some cases.
I have never known the government to be short of claims. Actual evidence, howerver ….