Judge Orders USDA to Halt Release of Private Information

November 5, 1999

A federal judge has ordered USDA not to release private information about farmers and ranchers who have used a predator control device to protect livestock. An animals rights group had asked USDA for the names.

Animal Protection Institute of America filed a request with USDA seeking the names and addresses of ranchers using a "livestock protection collar" that contains a control chemical that kills predators that attack domestic livestock.

The American Farm Bureau Federation asked Judge Walter Smith of the Western District Court, Waco Division, to issue the restraining order to protect ranchers' privacy. AFBF President Dean Kleckner said any release of private information about farmers and ranchers participating in federal predator control or grazing programs for use by outside parties should not be tolerated.

"Clearly this type of harassment violates the confidence we place in our government to properly administer its programs," Kleckner said. "Farm Bureau must ensure that the confidentiality of personal information submitted by our members is not disclosed to others."

Judge Smith, who issued the temporary halt to the information release by USDA, scheduled a hearing Nov. 10 for arguments on AFBF's preliminary injunction request.