HELENA, Mont. (April 6, 2020) – On Friday, March 27, 2020, the United States District Court of Montana ruled in favor of USDA and the Montana Beef Council in the matter of R-CALF vs. Sonny Perdue and USDA. We consider this a victory for our state and the Montana Beef Council.

Judge Morris confirmed that R-CALF did not have standing to bring the case and held that Qualified State Beef Councils (QSBCs) are engaged in government speech. He found that as USDA entered into Memorandums of Understanding (MOU) with state beef councils, it provided USDA significant oversight over all promotional activities. The terms of the MOU, stated that state beef councils would submit to USDA for pre-approval for all promotion, advertising, information and research plans and projects.

This legal battle has spanned more than three years and has disrupted the Beef Council’s efforts to promote beef within the state of Montana. MSGA supports the court’s ruling and is excited to see this victory for the Montana Beef Council.

CONTACT:
Keni Reese
Director of Marketing & Communications, MSGA
406-442-3420
[email protected]

To view more MSGA news, visit https://mtbeef.org/news/