Legal Definitions - agricultural-disparagement law

An agricultural-disparagement law is a statute that aims to protect food producers from false and malicious reports of food contamination. It provides remedies for pecuniary harm resulting from such reports.

For instance, a typical statute applies to false and disparaging public statements that imply or claim that a perishable food product is unsafe for human consumption. It applies when the speaker or writer knows that the statements are false because the claim or implication has no basis in reliable scientific inquiry, facts, or data.

One example of agricultural-disparagement law is the "veggie-libel law." This law was enacted in Texas in 1995 after Oprah Winfrey made comments on her show about the safety of beef. The comments caused a drop in beef prices, and Texas cattle ranchers sued her for damages. The law was later struck down by the courts, but it illustrates how agricultural-disparagement laws can be used to protect food producers.

Another example is the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act (PACA). This law provides a forum for resolving disputes between produce sellers and buyers. It also provides remedies for sellers who have been defrauded or suffered losses due to the actions of buyers.

These examples illustrate how agricultural-disparagement laws can be used to protect food producers from false and malicious reports of food contamination. They show how these laws provide remedies for pecuniary harm resulting from such reports and help maintain the integrity of the food supply chain.