Agricultural News
Fighting the Good Fight - NCBA's Colin Woodall Says Beef Industry Has "Fake Meat" Labs on the Run
Thu, 31 Jan 2019 13:45:33 CST
Cell-based meat, or 'fake meat' as it has come to be known, is an issue that first appeared in the cattle industry one year ago during the 2018 Cattle Industry Convention. At this year's convention, the issue is still being discussed, though this time in regard to the progress that has been made by the staff at the National Cattlemen's Beef Association in getting the issue stamped out. Colin Woodall, senior lobbyist for NCBA, took a moment to speak with Radio Oklahoma Ag Network Farm Director Ron Hays about the accomplishments that have been made thus far.
"There are very few issues we have the luxury on where not only the members understand what we're doing, but also the general consumer kind of has an idea of what's going on. Basically, the overall yuck factor of fake meat is definitely something that's helped us move forward with our ask - for USDA to have a role in the daily inspection of this product- but more importantly, for USDA to approve the labels."
By doing this, NCBA can be assured that these companies producing the cultured protein products can not use certain terms that either mimic or cause detriment to conventionally produced beef. Woodall reports that this has been successfully achieved by NCBA. In fact, he adds that some states have even started to consider limiting these companies' ability to use terms like "meat" and "beef." That, says Woodall, is a good thing for producers.
"That's going to be the next fight on the federal side - what can they actually call it, because we have to protect our terms," he said. "We do not want to find ourselves in the same situation that the dairy industry has been dealing with."
Listen to Woodall's full update on the status of the fight against "fake meat" with Hays, on today's Beef Buzz.
The Beef Buzz is a regular feature heard on radio stations around the region on the Radio Oklahoma Network and is a regular audio feature found on this website as well. Click on the LISTEN BAR below for today's show and check out our archives for older Beef Buzz shows covering the gamut of the beef cattle industry today.
Our coverage from New Orleans and the 2019 Cattle Industry Convention and NCBA Trade Show will be powered by Corteva Agriscience, delivering solutions to help you manage weeds and brush- learn more by clicking here for their website- www.RangeAndPasture.Com.
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