NCBA
Legislative
Roundup
U.S. Senate Introduction Of Real MEAT Act
U.S./China Trade Deal
National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) CEO Colin
Woodall issued the following statement regarding the announcement
that the U.S. and China have agreed to a phase one trade deal:
“The announcement of a phase one deal with China is welcome
news for the U.S. beef industry. While we wait to learn more about
the details of the agreement, we are optimistic this positive news
will bring long lasting relief to farmers and ranchers who have
been targeted with China’s retaliatory tariffs for many months.”
said Woodall. “While tariffs grab most of the headlines, China’s
unjustifiable non-tariff barriers and restrictions on science-based
production technologies must be addressed so that Chinese
consumers can enjoy the same high-quality, safe and sustainably-
produced U.S. beef that Americans have enjoyed for decades. We
encourage the Trump Administration to keep working with China
to establish meaningful market access and rules of trade based on
market demand and science, most importantly. This is an important
step forward and something that both countries must build on for
our mutual prosperity. “
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NCBA applauded the introduction of the Real MEAT (Marketing
Edible Artificials Truthfully) Act of 2019 by U.S. Senator Deb Fischer
of Nebraska. The Senate bill is a companion to H.R. 4881, which was
introduced by U.S. Representatives Roger Marshall (R - 1st Dist.,
Kansas) and Anthony Brindisi (D - 22nd Dist., N.Y.).
“It’s clear that fake-meat companies are continuing to mislead
consumers about the nutritional merits and actual ingredient
composition of their products,” said NCBA President Jennifer
Houston. “We commend the efforts of Senator Fischer on
introducing this legislation, which would end deceptive labeling of
fake meat products and allow cattle producers to compete on a level
playing field.”
“Beef is derived from cattle—period,” Senator Fischer said. “Under
USDA, beef undergoes a rigorous inspection and labeling process,
but plant-based protein products that mimic beef and are sometimes
labeled as beef are overseen by the FDA instead. These products are
not held to the same food safety and labeling standards as beef. The
NCBA has been a leader on this issue, and I am thankful for their
strong support of the Real MEAT Act, which will protect consumers
from deceptive marketing practices and bring transparency to the
grocery store.”
Specifically, The Real Meat Act will:
1. Codify the Definition of Beef for Labeling Purposes
• Establish a federal definition of beef that applies to food labels;
• Preserve the Congressional Intent of the Beef Promotion and
Research Act;
2.
Reinforce Existing Misbranding Provisions to Eliminate
Consumer Confusion
• FDA has misbranding provisions for false or misleading labels;
•
Prevent further consumer confusion with alternative protein
products;
• Clarify the imitation nature of these alternative protein products;
• JANUARY 2020