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New lawsuit filed against USDA over rescinded RFID requirement
The legal battle between radio frequency ID ear tag opponents and the USDA is back on.
A previous lawsuit filed by R-CALF USA and several ranchers was dismissed after USDA reversed course on a rule that would have required cattle producers to use RFID ear tags and register their premises by 2023 if they transport adult cattle across state lines.
The New Civil Liberties Alliance filed an amended complaint Monday claiming USDA and the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service violated the Federal Advisory Committee Act back when they developed the original RFID requirement. They claim APHIS loaded the advisory committee with ear tag manufacturers, packers, and other advocates of mandatory RFID, and relied upon those committees to help develop policies to implement the now-rescinded 2023 RFID mandate.
The new complaint was filed in Wyoming federal district court on behalf of R-CALF USA and ranchers Tracy and Donna Hunt and Kenny and Roxy Fox.
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