Veggie Libel Law stays

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Subj: Veggie Libel Law Stays in Texas

Date: 5/6/99 8:30:25 PM Central Daylight Time

From: AOL News

BCC: LArmstr853

Veggie Libel Law Stays in Texas

..c The Associated Press

AUSTIN (AP) -- The Texas House rejected an attempt Thursday to repeal the

state's ``veggie libel'' law -- the law cattlemen used to sue television

talk-show host Oprah Winfrey in 1996.

The repeal bill by Rep. Ruth McClendon, a Democrat, was voted down

80-57.

While Ms. McClendon said the current law encouraged frivolous lawsuits and

discouraged free speech, opponents said the law is needed to protect the

state's agricultural industries.

Even dubbing it the ``veggie libel'' law trivializes a serious issue to

agricultural producers, said Republican Rep. Swinford.

``It makes it sound silly. It's not silly,'' Swinford said.

The law allows producers to sue those who knowingly make false, disparaging

statements about perishable agriculture products.

During an April 16, 1996 program on dangerous foods, Ms. Winfrey said

England's bout with mad cow disease stopped her from eating another

hamburger. Winfrey was quickly hit with a lawsuit that cost her up to $5

million to defend.

A federal jury ruled in Ms. Winfrey's favor.

Keeping the law will continue to have a chilling effect on free speech, said

Republican Rep. McCall.

``You can't talk about broccoli without the fear that you'll have to defend

yourself in a courtroom,'' McCall said.

AP-NY-05-06-99 2129EDT

Copyright 1998 The Associated Press. The information contained in the AP

news report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise

distributed without prior written authority of The Associated Press.

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