Food & Agriculture Quarterly January 2019 | Page 2

editor’s note
-JAY LEVINE
Welcome to our first FAQ of 2019. Last year was quite an active
year in food and agriculture; choosing what to present was
quite a challenge! That said, we hope that you will be pleased
with our choices. Starting us off is Allen Carter’s summary on
the eggs antitrust class action trial. While very few antitrust
cases actually go to trial, even fewer antitrust class actions
go to trial. Certainly an interesting case with a number of
unique aspects; and [Spoiler Alert] Porter Wright successfully
represented the largest defendant. Next, we have a very
interesting article from Devan Flahive concerning how the
Bureau of Land Management decided to deal with the wild
horse population in the Western part of the United States.
As you will see, the decision affects not only wild horses but
livestock farmers as well. Our next article comes to us via the
Ohio Agricultural Law Blog, where Ellen Essman, a Senior
Research Associate at Ohio State, discusses whether the type
of nuisance suits that have been brought against Smithfield in
North Carolina could be maintained in Ohio and what Ohio
farmers should be aware of as these issues start to appear in
other parts of the country. Jetta Sandin follows with a status
report on many of the antitrust cases involving agricultural and
food processors. And last, but certainly not least, Will Sjoberg
from our International Trade Practice provides an update on
our current (and ever-changing) trade laws, and in particular,
how they impact soybean farmers.
I would like to take this opportunity to wish everyone a
spectacular New Year and an outstanding 2019!
Jay Levine
Editor
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