PRESS RELEASE

USDA Regulation Can Potentially Destroy Grass Farming

To most consumers the term Grassfed means cattle humanely raised in grass pastures until time of harvest, the way nature intended. If the proposed USDA Grassfed claim currently published for comment becomes the regulation you could see feedlot beef labeled as Grassfed Beef.

The American Grassfed Association (AGA) represents grassfed producers, food industry professionals, researchers and consumer groups who are very concerned about the proposed grassfed claim. Dr. Patricia Whisnant, President of AGA says: “We feel very strongly that any grassfed standard must address the issue of confinement as an integral part of that standard: otherwise the label will lose its integrity.”

“While we support the proposed regulation provisions requiring any meat labeled under this program to come from animals that receive 99 percent of their lifetime energy supply from grass and forage, it must be linked to where the animals live. Cattle that have received a 99% forage diet fed in confinement (similar to cattle fed a grain-based ration in feedlots) cannot be considered Grassfed. Yet, that would be allowed under the current proposal. We passionately believe that the term Grassfed is synonymous with animals having free access to pasture and/or range.”

“Consumers expect Grassfed meat to be sourced from animals that spend a majority of their time in pasture and range conditions. The AGA believes that confinement should be limited to emergencies that may threaten the safety and well-being of the animals or to routine management practices such as sorting and round-ups.”

“Consumers who seek out grassfed products do so not only because of the perceived benefits concerning the healthfulness and safety of the product, but also because of the sustainable agricultural model. It is typically represented by small American family farms that put their heart and soul into what they produce. Many consumers support the philosophy of this model because of its humane treatment of animals, the benefits to the environment and the idea of preserving the American family farm. None of these concerns is a part of Factory farm methodology or factory assembly-line production. We feel it would be disingenuous to allow factory farmed meat to bear the label which in the mind of the consumer is reserved for pasture raised products.”

The USDA is taking comment on this proposed regulation until August 10. Consumers who would like to offer their comments concerning this claim and its relationship to the issue of animal confinement can do so by addressing Martin O’Connor, Chief Standardization Branch, Livestock and Seed Program, AMS, USDA, Room 2607-S, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250-0254. Comments can be sent by facsimile to (202) 720-1112 and by electronic mail to marketingclaim@usda.gov or via the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov. The preferred method of comment is by electronic mail. Comments can be viewed at www.ams.usda.gov/lsg/stand/claim.htm.

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If you would like more information please contact Patricia Whisnant at (573) 996-3716, pwhisnant@americangrassfedbeef.com, AGA Pres., or Carrie Balkcom, Ex.Dir. of the AGA at (877) 774-7277, aga@americangrassfed.org.