Are Check-Off Programs Constitutional?

The Supreme Court will decide whether the federal government can require cattle ranchers and farmers to pay for an industry marketing program distinguished for it’s “Beef, It’s What’s for Dinner,” theme.

However, much more is at issue besides the beef check-off program. The case will decide the fate of all check-off programs in which producers pay a small portion of their income to support commodity promotion and similar goals --- a practice previously ruled unconstitutional by a U.S. appeals court.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture runs many such check-off programs on behalf of the beef, pork, egg and milk industry.

Posted by Jim Langcuster at May 25, 2004 08:34 AM | TrackBack