NPPC Reacts to “The Other White Meat” Court Ruling

The U.S. District Court in Washington, D.C. issued a ruling that partially denied the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s motion to dismiss a lawsuit over the sale of “The Other White Meat” trademarks.

The National Pork Producers Council sold “The Other White Meat” trademarks to the National Pork Board in 2006. NPPC President Ken Maschoff says they are conducting a thorough review of the decision and looking at all their options. “We are disappointed that the court partially denied the USDA motion to dismiss this frivolous lawsuit, one that was never based on a legitimate legal challenge to the sale.” He says the suit was brought by an anti-meat activist group intent on eliminating meat consumption and harming the beef industry that employs thousands of Americans and feeds billions around the world. Maschoff adds, “Regardless of the final outcome in this case, we are well positioned to continue fighting for the livelihood of farmers and others in rural America.”

The USDA argued in court that the lawsuit, filed by the Humane Society of the U.S. and two other parties, lacked merit, was barred by the statute-of-limitations, and the plaintiffs failed to show how they were harmed by the sale of the trademarks from NPPC to the Pork Board. HSUS claims that the trademarks were sold for an inflated price.

Source;  NAFB News