Tag: Vermont
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Cases Recently Settled—Dairy Price Fixing, BPA in Baby Bottles
Northeast dairy farmers have reportedly settled their price-fixing claims against Dean Foods Co. for $30 million and injunctive relief requiring the company to buy a portion of its raw milk from multiple sources. Allen v. Dairy Farmers of America, No. __ (D. Vt., settlement reached December 24, 2010). While the agreement requires court approval, it…
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Humane Society Continues to Seek Animal Protection Laws in State Legislatures
The Humane Society of the United States is apparently continuing to push for ballot initiatives and legislation that would impose new requirements on the livestock industry. In Vermont, legislators are considering a bill (S. 230) that would require that “a representative of the Vermont humane society be present when livestock are bled or slaughtered, and…
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Northeastern Dairy Farmers Bring Antitrust Litigation Against DFA and Dean Foods
A coalition of dairy farmers from the northeastern United States has reportedly filed a putative class action against the Dairy Farmers of America (DFA) and Dean Foods Co., alleging that they have monopolized the distribution of fluid milk in the Northeast, fixed prices and created an economic crisis in the industry. Allen v. DFA, No.…
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Vermont Rejects Non-Economic Damages for Loss of Pets
The Vermont Supreme Court has refused to expand liability to allow the recovery of non-economic damages in litigation involving the death of pets. Goodby v. Vetpharm, Inc., No. 2009 VT 52 (Vt., decided May 8, 2009). While the issue arose in a case involving the alleged negligence of a veterinarian and pharmaceutical company, the question whether…