Fairness in Farming Bill

Opportunities for Fairness in Farming Act of 2025This bill establishes restrictions and requirements for agricultural checkoff programs. These are programs overseen by the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to promote and provide research and information for a particular agricultural commodity without reference to specific producers or brands (e. g., the Cotton Board, Cattlemen's Beef Board, or National Watermelon Promotion Board). The bill prohibits boards established to carry out a checkoff program with annual assessment revenue equal to more than $20 million or a USDA order issued under such a checkoff program from entering into a contract or agreement to carry out activities under the program with a party that engages in activities to influence any government policy or action that relates to agriculture. A board or its employees or agents acting in their official capacity may not engage in anyact that may involve a conflict of interest; anticompetitive activity; unfair or deceptive act or practice; oract that may be disparaging to, or in any way negatively portray, another agricultural commodity or product. Upon approval of USDA, a board may enter directly into contracts and agreements to carry out generic promotion, research, or other activities authorized by law if the agreement or contract requires records accounting for the funds received to be submitted to the board. Further, the board must meet specified requirements regarding the publication of budgets and disbursements of funds. The USDA Office of Inspector General and the Government Accountability Office must conduct specified audits regarding checkoff programs.