Attorney General Gentner Drummond has filed a brief this week supporting cattle ranchers against manufacturers who are selling foreign-sourced beef products under the “Product of USA” label.
“Ranchers in Oklahoma and across the United States put in tremendous effort to produce the world’s highest quality beef,” he said. “The ‘Product of USA’ label symbolizes the quality of American beef. Using such a label for foreign-sourced beef is dishonest and just plain inaccurate.”
Drummond and 10 other state attorneys general argue in the amicus brief that the U.S. Department of Agriculture now acknowledges that use of the label for foreign-sourced beef products conflicts with federal requirements. The coalition is asking the court to order manufacturers to stop falsely labeling foreign-sourced beef as a “Product of USA.”
The brief supports a lawsuit by South Dakota ranchers against manufacturers. A district court ruled in favor of the ranchers; the case is on appeal to the U.S. Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals.
“Defendants’ marketing and sale of foreign beef products – whose only apparent connection with the USA is that some processing or packaging took place in the United States – is deceptive, anti-competitive and detrimental to consumers and the reputation of genuine, domestically produced beef products,” Drummond and the coalition of attorneys general wrote.
Also signing the brief are the attorneys general of South Dakota, Colorado, Kansas, Idaho, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Dakota, Texas and Wyoming.
Read the brief.
Oklahoma Cattlemen’s Association Commends Attorney General Drummond for Supporting Accurate Beef Labeling:
The Oklahoma Cattlemen’s Association (OCA) appreciates Attorney General Gentner Drummond for standing with Oklahoma and American beef producers on advocating for accurate labeling practices of beef products. This morning, Attorney General Gentner Drummond announced an amicus brief opposing the
sale of foreign-sourced beef products under the “Product of USA” label. The brief states that using this label for beef that is not entirely produced in the United States is misleading to consumers and harms the reputation of domestically produced beef. The OCA has a long-standing policy supporting accurate labels that apply specifically to beef products. “Simply put, if the label says or claims US beef in any fashion, then that beef should be 100% US beef,” commented Michael Kelsey, OCA Executive Vice President. “Oklahoma cattle producers have a great friend in Attorney General Drummond; who understands the
opportunities and challenges in raising and marketing cattle and beef. We thank him for standing
with us on this important labeling issue.” Attorney General Drummond is standing with Oklahoma ranchers to protect the integrity of the “Product of USA” label. Joining a coalition of 10 state attorneys general, he emphasizes that labeling foreign-sourced beef as American is misleading, harms competition, and undermines the reputation of America’s beef. This action ensures consumers can trust that beef labeled “Product of USA” truly comes from American ranchers and supports the hardworking cattlemen who
produce it. The OCA is the trusted voice of the Oklahoma Cattle Industry and works to protect and empower Oklahoma cattlemen today, to serve tomorrow. The OCA is the only voice that speaks solely for
the cattlemen of Oklahoma and represents beef producers in all 77 counties across the state. The
OCA officers, board of directors and membership encourages you to join us in our advocacy
efforts to ensure less government intervention, lower taxes, and a better bottom line. For more
information about OCA membership, the theft reward program or activities call 405-235-4391 or
visit www.okcattlemen.org
