§229b Right to discuss terms of contract

Summary

A producer is someone who raises animals or birds to be slaughtered. A processor is someone who buys animals or birds to have them slaughtered. Even if a production contract or a marketing agreement for the sale of livestock or poultry for a term of 1 year or more says the contract is confidential, a person in the contract cannot be stopped from talking about its terms with seven groups: Federal or State agencies, their lawyer, a lender, an accountant they hire, a company executive or manager, their landlord, or an immediate family member. This rule does not override state laws about confidential contract terms, except where a state law would allow a contract clause that forbids the discussions this rule allows. It also does not take away state courts’ power to enforce those state laws. The rule applies to contracts entered into, changed, renewed, or extended after May 13, 2002.