AUGUSTA — Governor Janet Mills signed Rep. Scott Cuddy’s bill to protect the products of Maine farmers into law on March 18, according to an April 1 news release. 

“While I know there are more important concerns facing everyone right now, it’s great to know that farmers have more protection under the law for the food they grow and harvest,” said Rep. Cuddy, D-Winterport. “I’m excited to be able to help ensure our small farmers know that their food is safe from bureaucratic errors. I thank Gov. Mills for standing by farmers and signing this law.”

As amended, LD 1889 directs the Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry to establish guidelines for returning inspected meat products when they have been found to be misbranded but not altered in anyway, according to the release. 

“I was proud to work with Rep. Cuddy and state officials last year to find a sensible resolution for Randy Canarr, a farmer from Winterport who was told much of his product would be destroyed because of a problem he had no control over,” said Sen. Erin Herbig, D-Belfast. “This bill from Rep. Cuddy will help support our local farmers, and I thank the Governor for signing it into law.”

The law will take effect on June 16, 2020.

Rep. Cuddy, a member of the Labor and Housing Committee, is serving his first term in the Maine House of Representatives. He represents House District 98, which serves Frankfort, Searsport, Swanville and Winterport.