Conservative and Liberal Senators United to Transform Checkoffs

(WASHINGTON, DC) Checkoff groups are voicing concern regarding a bipartisan measure introduced in the U.S. Senate. According to the sponsors, Sen. Mike Lee (UT-R) and Cory Booker (NJ-D), the Opportunities for Fairness in Farming Act of 2019 (OFF Act) is intended to bring much-needed transparency and accountability to the federal government’s commodity checkoff programs. “Checkoff programs force farmers to pay into a system that sometimes actively works against their interests,” said U.S. Senator Mike Lee. “Federal checkoff programs need to start working again for the family farmers and ranchers who are required to pay into them,” said U.S. Senator Cory Booker. Specifically the legislation would (1.) clarify and fortify the prohibition on checkoff programs from contracting with organizations that lobby on agricultural policy; (2) establish program standards that prohibit anticompetitive behavior and engaging in activities that may involve a conflict of interest; and (3) requires transparency through publication of checkoff program budgets and expenditures, and means for audits of compliance. Checkoff programs are mandatory participation programs under the US Department of Agriculture. These programs are funded through compulsory fees on producers of eggs, beef, pork and a multitude of other agricultural products. This bill is a direct response to an egg board scandal regarding its actions related to Hampton Creek, a San Francisco startup that makes the eggless mayonnaise alternative Just Mayo.