United States-Challenge to casualty (downer) cattle laws.

UNITED STATES-CASUALTY CATTLE.

A preliminary injunction may soon be issued against California’s state law banning any species of non-ambulatory livestock at federally inspected meat packing plants.

The issue could take place as early as this week, according to reports.

AMI and NMA requested injunction

Reports have stated further that the preliminary injunction was requested by the National Meat Association and American Meat Institute in their lawsuit, filed in December last year, in order to block enforcement of the state law because, they state, it is preempted by the Federal Meat Inspection Act.

Ready to rule

In an order filed late last week, US District Judge Lawrence J. O’Neill indicated he was ready to rule based on the materials filed with the court, and without benefit of a hearing in which oral testimony would be presented.

The testimony had been requested by the associations so that members might be heard on the issue of how the state law would affect their businesses.

Judge O’Neill gave all parties until Wednesday to file a request for oral argument, along with specific, detailed reasons as to why such a hearing is necessary, according to reports.