The U.S. Department of Agriculture on Thursday launched the Farmer and Rancher Freedom Framework — a policy initiative designed to shield producers from what the department calls politically motivated legal actions and regulatory overreach. Secretary Brooke Rollins described the four-pillar plan as a cornerstone for defending agricultural heritage and providing fairness in rural America. The framework formalizes existing USDA efforts to streamline regulations, reduce compliance burdens and enhance protections for farmers and ranchers facing litigation or enforcement actions.
Agricultural stakeholders welcomed the announcement, though critics argue it could weaken environmental and consumer safeguards. The policy echoes recent USDA moves to end “agricultural lawfare,” which has been discussed by advocacy groups and within USDA strategy briefings. The initiative also comes amid broader debates over farm profitability, market pressures and federal intervention in agriculture.
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