In Part 1 of this blog, we discussed the new interim guidance for meat processing plants. To combat concerns of a devastating reduction in our food supply chain, President Trump issued an Executive Order requiring processing plants to stay open. Despite that order, some employees at these processing plants have expressed an intent not to
Olivia F. Fajen
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Part 1: What can meat processing facilities do to protect their essential employees from COVID-19 and comply with federal and state guidelines.
Workers in essential industries are increasingly concerned about their health and safety in the workplace. This is most clearly evidenced by the recent strikes, or threats of strikes, by employees at large manufacturing and distribution centers. Further, meat processing plants are reporting an increasing number of employees contracting COVID-19, requiring these plants to shut down…
Regulatory Standards for Pet Grooming Products
By Olivia F. Fajen on
Last month, I listened to a podcast interviewing the owner of Straight Arrow, the parent company that produces Mane and Tail and Cowboy Magic products. As a lifelong horse owner (including several grey horses that love mud), I cannot remember a time when I did not have a Mane and Tail and/or Cowboy Magic product…
Think First Before You Raffle Off That Animal
By Olivia F. Fajen on
A disturbing new trend has been developing on Facebook: raffling off animals. For example, a well-bred registered Quarter Horse yearling was recently offered for sale through a raffle on a local North Carolina equestrian page. The seller offered 100 spots, each selling for $40. Bidders paid the seller directly through PayPal for a slot, and…
Federal Court Upholds Disqualification of Maximum Security in the 2019 Kentucky Derby, Part 2
By Olivia F. Fajen on
As mentioned in Part 1 of this blog, a district court in Kentucky recently dismissed the appeal brought by Maximum Security’s owners to overturn his first place disqualification in the 2019 Kentucky Derby. Part I of this blog explained the court’s dismissal of the Wests’ state law claims.
The court also dismissed Plaintiffs’ due…
Federal Court Upholds Disqualification of Maximum Security in the 2019 Kentucky Derby, Part 1
By Olivia F. Fajen on
Maximum Security’s owners cannot challenge the Kentucky racing officials’ disqualification of Maximum Security in the Kentucky Derby, according to a recent federal court decision. West v. Kentucky Horse Racing Comm., No. 5:19-211, 2019 WL 6053014 (E.D. Ky. Nov. 15, 2019). As you may remember, Maximum Security finished first in the Kentucky Derby earlier this…
Best Practices for Meat Producers
By Olivia F. Fajen on
Beef producers and packers have been required for years to “identify hazard points and critical points during beef slaughtering, which is a necessary first step toward developing a hazard analysis and critical control point system to control meat contamination by Escherichia coli O157:H7.” See R. Guyon, et. al, Hazard Analysis of Escherichia coli O157:H7 Contamination …
North Carolina expands protections for its farmers under the Right to Farm Act.
By Olivia F. Fajen on
In 2014 and 2015, 26 nuisance lawsuits representing over 500 North Carolina residents were brought against Murphy-Brown, a subsidiary of Smithfield Foods, in North Carolina federal court. The lawsuits involve 89 hog farms or “CAFOs” (Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations) in Eastern North Carolina. Although Murphy-Brown owns some of the farms itself, in most instances, Murphy-Brown…