USDA Grass-fed Meat Label

[Guest guest]

Haven't checked into the status of this yet - comments from the public

to USDA were only accepted until August 10th, but found it interesting

- contains dairy references:

USDA Unveils Grass-Fed Meat Label

Farmer and Consumer Feedback to USDA Needed by August 10

Consumers and family-scale farmers and ranchers could be big winners

if a proposed new USDA standard for grass-fed livestock wins approval.

But for this to occur, the USDA must hear from consumers that they

want simple changes made to the draft that clarifies the grass-fed

definition. Without these changes, the rule is open to

misinterpretation and could be used by some to confine their cattle in

feedlot conditions while claiming a grass-fed approach.

Feedback from farmers and consumers is needed by August 10. The

Cornucopia Institute can help you with your response.

Specifically, the proposed rule would permit the feeding of " immature

grain " that might be attached to silage or other forage—this does not

conform to what most agricultural experts consider " grass. " Possible

differences in the interpretation of this broad term could result in

the misapplication of an otherwise strong standard. Before moving

forward with approval of this rule, USDA should revise the rule to

prohibit the use of any mature corn or other traditional feed grains

in feedstock used by producers seeking to market products under the

grass fed label.

Consumers should also tell the USDA to immediately initiate a

rulemaking, with public comment, for another new label, a free range

or pasture-raised livestock label, with the aim of finalizing a

standard by the end of the year. Because pasture-based grazing is a

fundamental aspect of grass-fed meat production, it is crucial that

use of both of these labels be made available to producers and

consumers simultaneously. Some experts have interpreted the grass-fed

labeling draft as potentially allowing the maintenance of animals in

feedlot conditions.

The grass-fed proposal is specific, defining grass as " grass (annual

and perennial), forbs (legumes, brassicas), browse, forage, or

stockpiled forages, and post-harvest crop residue without separated

grain. " The potential loophole comes from the stockpiled forages,

which could include attached corn – this is what consumers need to let

the USDA know is unacceptable. The proposal makes an allowance for

mother's milk fed to young animals prior to weaning. And minerals and

vitamins are OK as part of the feeding regimen.

The new grass-fed label would apply to all ruminants, including

cattle, goats, and sheep. The draft, with the above noted

clarification of feed, would allow for usage of the label for animals

receiving 99% of their energy from grass and forage.

Many organic consumers and others seek grass-fed meat because of its

distinct health advantages. According to a recent report from the

Union of Concerned Scientists, meat from animals raised entirely on

pasture is not only leaner but contains higher levels of beneficial

substances that may fight cancer and strengthen the immune system.

" When you eat grass-fed meat, you're getting beef with benefits, "

notes Dr. Kate Clancy, a nutritionist and senior scientist at the

Union of Concerned Scientists and author of Greener Pastures.

In particular, grass-fed meats contain higher levels of omega-3 fatty

acids (also found in salmon and some other fish, as well as in flax

and a few other seeds) and CLAs (conjugated linoleic acid). a

beneficial class of omega-6 fatty acids. In animal studies, CLAs like

those in grass-fed meat have been shown to protect against cancer.

The grass-fed approach has other pluses, as well. The animals live in

conditions allowing them to exhibit their natural behavior, a

circumstance that stands in marked contrast to the misery associated

with penning thousands of animals into giant feedlots. Fed grains and

standing in their own manure, the stressed feedlot animals are

routinely administered antibiotics to fend off or treat diseases.

Pastured animals can also improve soil quality. Their manure is spread

about in amounts small enough to actually fertilize and not overwhelm

the soil while protecting ground and surface waters.

" The USDA's grass-fed initiative, with the suggested language changes,

would represent a dramatic improvement over their previous proposal, "

says Mark Kastel, Senior Farm Policy Analyst for The Cornucopia

Institute, a farmer advocacy and agricultural watchdog group. In 2002,

the agency proposed that ruminants receiving 80% of their energy from

grass and forage could qualify for the grass-fed label. That draft was

strongly condemned in public comments the USDA received from

consumers, producer groups, nonprofit organizations, and academics.

Adds Kastel: " It's important for the public to contact the USDA and

let the agency know that grass-fed means grass-fed. The USDA needs to

hear that consumers want livestock raised in conditions that promote

the animal's health, protect the environment, and produce meat

products that contain the healthiest nutrients. "

Consumers may also want to let USDA know that when the grass-fed and

free range/pasture-raised labels are finalized, they should then begin

developing additional labels. For example, the grass-fed label will

not necessarily mean that antibiotics and/or hormones were not used in

the animal's rearing. Consumers should let USDA know that rules need

to be developed for no anti-biotics and no hormones, as well.

Public comments will be accepted by the USDA on or before August 10.

You can find a sample letter by clicking here. Copy and paste the text

into your own message and modify it as you need to reflect your

personal remarks.

They can be emailed to marketingclaim@.... Comments should refer

to Docket No. LS-05-09. Written comments can be submitted to E.

O'Connor, Chief, Standardization Branch, Livestock and Seed Program,

AMS, USDA, Room 2607–S, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC

20250–0254. Or a FAX can be sent to (202) 720–1112. Background on the

proposed grass-fed label regulations can be viewed at

http://www.ams.usda.gov/lsg/stand/ls0509.pdf.

Although heartened by the potential USDA turnaround on the grass-fed

issue, Kastel remains puzzled and disappointed at the agency's

reluctance to apply a similar approach to the role of pasture in

organic dairying. " Many of the same nutritional, environmental, and

animal husbandry benefits are captured by pasturing organic dairy

animals, " explains Kastel. But the USDA has let factory farms that

primarily confine their milking herds in feedlots or small sheds gain

a significant and growing slice of the organic dairy market.

" atives and their consumer members need to continue pressuring

the USDA for a strong (organic) pasture rule that will protect family

farmers and produce dairy products that match consumer values and

expectations, " Kastel said.

To help consumers and dairy product buyers identify the dairy products

produced with the highest organic integrity, The Cornucopia Institute

has released a scorecard and report that rates the nation's organic

dairy products. It can also be viewed on our Web page at

http://cornucopia.org/index.php/dairy_brand_ratings.

- Will Fantle