04 | 12 | 2007 Posted By Pritzker | Ruohonen

California Bill To Let Farmers Sue Over Libelous Claims

In response to a false claim by Taco Bell that Boskovich Farms in Oxnard, California was at fault for an E. coli outbreak that left 70 sick, a California Assembly committee has given initial approval to a bill that would allow California farmers to sue anyone who makes false, damaging statements about their products while knowing that the claims are false. 

The bill was drafted by Assembly member Audra Strickland over the Taco Bell incident last year.  The measure was passed by a 5-1 vote of the Agricultural Committee.  If passed, this bill will make California the 13th state to have laws over vegetable farmer libel.  Strickland explained her reasoning: 
No one has the right to make knowingly false statements that cause other people harm.  When false or disparaging statements are made, crops are lost, farmworkers are put out of work and our entire economy is harmed.
Critics claim that the bill is an infringement on free speech and will stifle consumer groups, labor unions or individuals who have valid concerns over food safety. 

Fred Pritzker is a nationally leading food poisoning lawyer.  Fred Pritzker can be reached at the personal injury law firm of Pritzker | Ruohonen toll-free at 1-888-377-8900 or by e-mail at fhp@pritzkerlaw.com.

Source:  Timm Herdt, Bill to let growers sue gets first OK:  E. coli incident led Strickland to propose it.  Ventura County Star,  April 12, 2007.