Bill > A06130

This bill establishes a Farmers' Bill of Rights in New York State, designed to protect farmers' ability to join and participate in agricultural cooperatives without interference from distributors. The bill defines several prohibited unfair trade practices that could impede farmers' freedom to collectively bargain, including coercion, threats, soliciting contract breaches, making loans or gifts to discourage cooperative membership, refusing to do business with farmers who join cooperatives, spreading false reports about cooperatives, and conspiring to interfere with farmers' rights. The legislation specifically allows the commissioner of agriculture and markets to take legal action against distributors who engage in these practices, with the caveat that such action can only be taken after a final administrative or judicial order has been issued. Additionally, the bill increases the potential damages for encouraging or permitting delivery of products in violation of marketing agreements from $100 to up to $10,000 per contract. The bill's underlying goal is to support farmers' autonomous decision-making and protect their ability to organize collectively, drawing on principles established in the Capper-Volstead Act, a federal law that supports agricultural cooperatives.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/A6130