Now that NMA has filed its Motion to Intervene in the R-CALF v. USDA litigation, which is pending in Billings, Montana, R-CALF and USDA are allowed 20 days in which to file responsive pleadings. NMA will then have a 10-day period in which to answer those responses. Thus it will be a full month from the date of NMA's original filing until the presiding judge has been provided with all of the documents upon which he will base his decision.
From NMA's point of view, there is a definite advantage in having the procedural issues regarding intervention considered at this time, and not at some later date when the parties and the court are also trying to deal with substantive issues which could be raised at this time and when USDA publishes its final regulation.
In a Western Livestock Journal report today, Bill Bullard, CEO of R-CALF United Stockgrowers of America said, "We're currently reviewing the filing by NMA and our initial response, knowing that their interests are contrary to the interests of cattle producers, is that we would not want them as a party. However, we have not solidified that position and there may in fact be some advantages. We're just in the process of reviewing that."
From NMA's point of view, there is a definite advantage in having the procedural issues regarding intervention considered at this time, and not at some later date when the parties and the court are also trying to deal with substantive issues which could be raised at this time and when USDA publishes its final regulation.
In a Western Livestock Journal report today, Bill Bullard, CEO of R-CALF United Stockgrowers of America said, "We're currently reviewing the filing by NMA and our initial response, knowing that their interests are contrary to the interests of cattle producers, is that we would not want them as a party. However, we have not solidified that position and there may in fact be some advantages. We're just in the process of reviewing that."
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