Showing archive for: “Food Law & Policy”
The Garden State’s War on the Good Deal
New Jersey lawmakers have found a way to spare small grocers the sting of missing out on a discount: make suppliers think twice about offering one to anybody. If a cereal maker gives Walmart a better deal than a corner market in Newark, a bill before the state’s General Assembly would require the supplier to ... The Garden State’s War on the Good Deal
Trump Fisheries Order May Be a First Step Toward Global Reforms
The U.S. fisheries sector is the beneficiary of an April 17 executive order from President Donald Trump. The order’s implementation could result in reduced regulatory burdens and a procompetitive, economically efficient expansions of U.S. fisheries output. It might also inspire U.S. consideration of additional efforts to improve global fisheries management. The Fisheries Executive Order Overregulation ... Trump Fisheries Order May Be a First Step Toward Global Reforms
The Only Thing Worse Than Tariffs Is Non-Tariffs
Well, you’ve gotta hand it to President Donald Trump. Trade policy is the topic du jour, with tariffs and tariff threats grabbing most of the headlines. When Trump announced 25% tariffs on steel and aluminum imports, my neighbor rushed out to replace her refrigerator, fearing rising prices. The small slice of the population with a ... The Only Thing Worse Than Tariffs Is Non-Tariffs
Big Federal Antitrust Cases Heat Up
The U.S. Justice Department (DOJ) and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) are advancing two major antitrust cases that will have significant implications for the American public. The DOJ, joined by eight states, announced Aug. 23 that it was suing RealPage Inc. for an “unlawful scheme to decrease competition among landlords in apartment pricing and to monopolize ... Big Federal Antitrust Cases Heat Up
Chicago Continues to Thwart Food Trucks
Food trucks must remain at least 200 feet away from restaurants under the new Chicago regulation (HT: Reason). It also appears food trucks must carry a GPS that will allow detection of violations (parking within 200 feet of a restaurant — apparently, any restaurant) which carry a fine of up to $2,000. Protection of restaurants ... Chicago Continues to Thwart Food Trucks
Local Barriers to Entry: Arlington Beer Garden Edition
Last week I posted about the regulatory barriers facing an ice cream shop in San Francisco. A student passes along a story that hits a bit closer to home: the sale of beer right here in Arlington County. Apparently, the owner of the Westover Beer Garden has had enough: It’s been a contentious couple of ... Local Barriers to Entry: Arlington Beer Garden Edition
A&P Files for Bankruptcy
Recent coverage of the A&P bankruptcy has alluded to its era of “dominance” in grocery retail, describing it as “the Wal-Mart of its day.” See this earlier post on the unconvincing antitrust case against Wal-Mart. However, what the A&P bankruptcy brings to mind for me is Justice Stewart’s famous dissent in Von’s Grocery. The famous ... A&P Files for Bankruptcy
"Prosocial," Output-Reducing Collusion
One of my antitrust students recently pointed me to a television commercial that could inspire a great exam question. Unfortunately, I didn’t see the ad until I’d finished drafting this semester’s antitrust exam (which I’ve been grading…hence the absence from TOTM). The T.V. commercial trumpets an agreement among the members of the American Beverage Association ... "Prosocial," Output-Reducing Collusion
Maybe We’ll Get Us a Calorie Czar!
Yesterday, Todd predicted that Obamacare will result in greater government involvement in heretofore private decisions that impact health. Since the government is now going to pay (via insurance subsidies) for many more Americans’ health care, it has a much stronger interest in how they live. So do we taxpayers who must pay for the government’s ... Maybe We’ll Get Us a Calorie Czar!
"Each use of salt in violation of this section shall constitute a separate violation"
I wonder if that is on a per pinch basis? I refused to believe this is real language, from a real bill. But Professor Bainbridge says it is — and doesn’t pull any punches in describing its drafter (or at least leading proponent) Assemblyman Ortiz in NY as an “officious pig and an ass.” But ... "Each use of salt in violation of this section shall constitute a separate violation"
Russian Retail Trade Law and Government Barriers to Entry
A new Russian retail trade law is scheduled to (at least partially) go into effect on February 1st. The new retail trade law, with the support of the national antitrust authority and Prime Minister Putin amongst others, has three essential features: (1) limiting the operation of chains to no more than 25 percent of total ... Russian Retail Trade Law and Government Barriers to Entry
Regulating Local Food Out of the Market
The Nanny Brigade has once again descended on the Windy City. It previously sought to protect us from unhealthy trans fats, smoking in private establishments that we voluntarily patronize, and those oh-so-offensive theatrical depictions of smoking. The Nannies are now working to protect Chicago’s well-heeled from risks associated with the locally produced, artisanal sausages sold ... Regulating Local Food Out of the Market
