Capitol Hill
Roundtable Discussion

Topics will include the implications of the June 21, 2002 federal court ruling overturning the federal Beef Promotion and Research Act.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Jeff Mazzella
Ph: 703-535-5836

CENTER TO PARTICIPATE IN CAPITOL HILL ROUNDTABLE ON
LEGAL CHALLENGES TO COMMODITY CHECKOFF PROGRAMS
 
ALEXANDRIA, Va. – On July 22, 2002, the Center for Individual Freedom’s Executive Director, Eric Schippers, will participate in a roundtable discussion on Capitol Hill, hosted by The Dairy Trade Coalition, on the mounting legal and legislative challenges to the nation’s mandatory agricultural commodity promotion programs.
 
Joining Mr. Schippers will be Erik S. Jaffe, attorney for independent Montana cattle ranchers Steve and Jeanne Charter, plaintiffs in an ongoing lawsuit over the beef checkoff, and Benjamin F. Yale, attorney for dairy farmers Joseph and Brenda Cochran in their pending suit over the dairy checkoff.
 
The event will be moderated by Jerry Hagstrom, Agriculture Contributing Editor of the National Journal.  Other panelists will include:  Dr. Enrique Figueroa, former USDA Deputy Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs; Laura Phelps, President, American Mushroom Institute; and Chandler Keys, III, Vice President for Public Policy, National Cattlemen's Beef Association. 
 
Topics of discussion will include the U.S. Supreme Court decision striking down compelled support for "generic" mushroom advertising, as well as the implications of the June 21, 2002 federal court ruling overturning the federal Beef Promotion and Research Act, responsible for the beef checkoff.
 
The event is open to the public and is scheduled to begin at 2:00 pm in the Senate Agriculture Committee Hearing Room, 328 Russell Senate Office Building in Washington, D.C. 
 
For more information, please contact the Center for Individual Freedom at 703-535-5836.

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