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White House May Finally Put an End to Labeling Imported Beef as “Product of the USA”

The White House will unveil an executive order in the coming days that directs the U.S. Department of Agriculture to clarify that meat can only receive a “Product of USA” label if that livestock is raised in the U.S. rather than abroad, press secretary Jen Psaki told reporters Tuesday afternoon.

July 6, 2021 | Source: Iowa Capital Dispatch | by Ariana Figueroa

The White House will unveil an executive order in the coming days that directs the U.S. Department of Agriculture to clarify that meat can only receive a “Product of USA” label if that livestock is raised in the U.S. rather than abroad, press secretary Jen Psaki told reporters Tuesday afternoon.

She said the order “directs USDA to develop a plan to increase opportunities for farmers to access markets and receive a fair return, including supporting alternative food distribution systems like farmers markets and developing standards and labels so that consumers can choose to buy products that treat farmers and agriculture workers fairly.”

The executive order also will make it easier for farmers to economically compete against international meat industries, Psaki said.

Under current labeling rules, most grass-fed beef labeled “Product of USA” is actually raised and slaughtered abroad, but imported to the U.S. for processing.

“The president and the USDA believe it is unfair for domestic farmers and ranchers to have to compete with foreign companies that are misleading consumers,” she said.