August 25, 2020

US cattlemen association highlights "misspending" of federal monies on imported beef

On August 24, the United States Cattlemen's Association (USCA) joined eleven other national, regional and state groups in a letter to Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue requesting that US meat and meat processors be prioritised within the US Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Farmers to Families Food Box Program.

The programme supplies food boxes of fresh fruits and vegetables, dairy products and meat products to those experiencing financial hardship due to the ongoing pandemic.

The letter specifically states:  "Due to the current regulatory loophole which USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service acknowledged allows for imported beef to be labeled 'Product of the USA', the undersigned organisations are concerned that the current regulations governing beef and pork products could allow for the misspending of federal aid dollars to be spent on imported, foreign goods.

"Therefore, we ask that USDA prioritise applicants who have demonstrated established relationships with independent regional meat processors to fill their order."

Other organizations signing on to the letter include American Agri-Women, American Grassfed Association, Family Farm Action Alliance, Independent Cattlemen of Nebraska/ICON, Independent Beef Association of North Dakota, Independent Cattlemen's Association of Texas, Kansas Cattlemen's Association, Montana Cattlemen's Association, Rocky Mountain Farmers Union, Rural & Agriculture Council of America, US Cattlemen's Association and Women Involved in Farm Economics.

- USCA