Organic farmer wins in court, but case may go to higher courts
In a legal battle between the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture and Amos and Rebecca Miller, a Pennsylvania Amish farmer, a court victory was achieved but could escalate to the Supreme Court. The case questions individuals’ rights to control their food choices versus governmental regulations. The ruling follows years of conflict, including a raid restricting Miller from selling raw dairy products.
A Pennsylvania Amish farmer earned a court victory in Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture v. Amos and Rebecca Miller. However, the win could be short-lived, and this case could escalate all the way to the Supreme Court.
“Do we get to control our food and decide what goes into our body or does the government,” asked Robert Barnes, Miller’s attorney. “That question is a question that the Supreme Court, sooner or later, will likely need to answer.”
The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture has been at war with Miller’s farm for eight years. Earlier this year, it conducted a raid at his Bird-in-Hand-based farm. In addition to a lawsuit, an injunction was placed against Miller, so he was unauthorized to sell his raw dairy products to the public. According to Barnes, Miller wasn’t even allowed to give it to his own family.
“This is an extraordinary power grab,” Barnes said. “The state of Pennsylvania wants the judge to put into the law that you can’t even distribute food, meaning you can’t distribute it for charitable purposes. You can’t distribute it to your family or friends. You can’t distribute it to anybody without their permission.”
Hundreds of Miller’s supporters came out and testified in support of his raw dairy products. While the lawsuit alleges two foodborne illnesses as a result of his products, one in Michigan and one in New York, Miller’s attorney said no illnesses have occurred from Miller’s products.
Barnes said he was pleased with the judge’s ruling, as it “followed the law.”
In addition to the supporters of Miller who came out, Barnes said there was a surprise star witness, someone who worked for more than a decade and a half in the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
“The leading expert in the country testified for Amos Miller on Food Safety, one of the most extraordinary things that ever happened in a food safety trial that’s happened in the country,” Barnes exclaimed.
Let’s stand with Amos Miller and the Amish for food freedom. The government is trying to criminalize all food production outside of approved government processing facilities. This is the final stage of a long war by Big Ag, Food Processors and their government puppets to destroy… https://t.co/5kWuFqCS7N
— Robert F. Kennedy Jr (@RobertKennedyJr) February 26, 2024
Independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY), and Donald Trump Jr. have all publicly supported Miller.
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While the judge ruled in Miller’s favor, the state called for the judge to reverse his decision. The judge will make his final decision on April 16 before either side decides to escalate the case to a higher court.
The Washington Examiner reached out to the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture for comment, and it referred the Washington Examiner to the state attorney general’s office, which declined to speak on the latest ruling.
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