For Immediate Release: September 14, 2021
For R-CALF USA: Bill Bullard Phone: 406-252-2516; r-calfusa@r-calfusa.com
For Scott+Scott: David Scott Phone: 860-531-2605; david.scott@scott-scott.com
R-CALF USA and Other Plaintiffs’ Case Proceeds to Discovery
Today, the Federal District Court for the District of Minnesota issued an order substantially denying the motion by the nation’s four largest beef packers (Defendants) to dismiss the class-action antitrust lawsuit originally filed in April 2019 by R-CALF USA though its counsels Scott+Scott Attorneys at Law LLP, along with Cafferty Clobes Meriwether & Sprengel LLP.
In today’s ruling, Judge John R. Tunheim found that Plaintiffs (including R-CALF USA) have plausibly plead that Defendants conspired to suppress the price of fed cattle and increase the price of beef.
R-CALF USA’s antitrust action alleges the Big 4 violated the Sherman Antitrust Act of 1890 by engaging in a price-fixing conspiracy. It also alleges the Big 4 violated the Packers and Stockyards Act as well as the Commodity Exchange Act.
As a result of today’s order, the cattle antitrust case will now proceed to discovery so that Plaintiffs may test their claims. A public version of the order will be available at a later date.
About R-CALF USA
R-CALF USA (Ranchers-Cattlemen Action Legal Fund United Stockgrowers of America) is the largest producer-only cattle trade association in the United States. It is a national, nonprofit organization dedicated to ensuring the continued profitability and viability of the U.S. cattle industry. For more information, visit www.r-calfusa.com or call 406.252.2516.
About Scott+Scott Attorneys at Law LLP
Scott+Scott has significant experience in prosecuting major securities, antitrust, arbitration, data privacy, and consumer actions throughout the United States and Europe. The firm represents pension funds, corporations, foundations, businesses, individuals, and other entities worldwide with offices in New York, London, Connecticut, California, and Ohio. For more information, visit www.scott-scott.com or call 800.404.7770
About Cafferty Clobes Meriwether & Sprengel LLP
Cafferty Clobes Meriwether & Sprengel LLP has significant experience representing trading firms, brokers, advisors, investors, businesses, and individuals in complex antitrust, commodities, securities, consumer and commercial litigation throughout the country from its offices in Chicago, Pennsylvania and Michigan. For additional information, visit www.caffertyclobes.com or call 312.782.4880.
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