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Difference between revisions of "Grass Fed"

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Even before that USDA dropped their regulation of the ''grass-fed'' label in 2016,<ref>USDA Agricultural Marketing Service. “Grass Fed Marketing Claim Standard.” Accessed November 15, 2019. https://www.ams.usda.gov/grades-standards/beef/grassfed.
 
Even before that USDA dropped their regulation of the ''grass-fed'' label in 2016,<ref>USDA Agricultural Marketing Service. “Grass Fed Marketing Claim Standard.” Accessed November 15, 2019. https://www.ams.usda.gov/grades-standards/beef/grassfed.
</ref> the designation had only to do with feeding and did not prohibit routine cruelties such as dehorning, castration, harsh living conditions, rough handling, and lack of veterinary care, and no on-site inspection was required,<ref>“Labeling Guideline on Documentation Needed to Substantiate Animal Raising Claims for Label Submissions.” USDA FSIS, n.d. https://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/wcm/connect/bf170761-33e3-4a2d-8f86-940c2698e2c5/Label-Approval-Guide.pdf?MOD=AJPERES</ref> and animals were still slaughtered at an early age.
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</ref> the designation had only to do with feeding and did not prohibit routine cruelties such as dehorning, castration, harsh living conditions, rough handling, and lack of veterinary care. No on-site inspection was required,<ref>“Labeling Guideline on Documentation Needed to Substantiate Animal Raising Claims for Label Submissions.” USDA FSIS, n.d. https://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/wcm/connect/bf170761-33e3-4a2d-8f86-940c2698e2c5/Label-Approval-Guide.pdf?MOD=AJPERES</ref> and animals could still slaughtered at an early age.<ref>Whisnant, DVM, Patricia. “FAQ Grass Fed Beef.” American Grass Fed Beef (blog). Accessed October 25, 2018. https://www.americangrassfedbeef.com/faq-grass-fed-beef.asp </ref>
  
 
Now, without even a definition of ''grass-fed'' provided by the USDA, producers are free to use the label no matter how much grass an animal has been fed. The designation is virtually meaningless.
 
Now, without even a definition of ''grass-fed'' provided by the USDA, producers are free to use the label no matter how much grass an animal has been fed. The designation is virtually meaningless.
  
A strong verified standard  
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A stronger verified standard...
  
The USDA-regulated ''grass fed'' label in the United States requires that the bovine is fed grass their entire life. The designation has only to do with feeding and does not prohibit routine cruelties, such as dehorning, castration, confinement, harsh living conditions, rough handling, and lack of veterinary care.
 
 
Enforcement is weak,<ref>“Labeling Guideline on Documentation Needed to Substantiate Animal Raising Claims for Label Submissions.” USDA FSIS, n.d. https://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/wcm/connect/bf170761-33e3-4a2d-8f86-940c2698e2c5/Label-Approval-Guide.pdf?MOD=AJPERES</ref> and the animals are still slaughtered at an early age.<ref>Whisnant, DVM, Patricia. “FAQ Grass Fed Beef.” American Grass Fed Beef (blog). Accessed October 25, 2018. https://www.americangrassfedbeef.com/faq-grass-fed-beef.asp </ref>
 
 
{{jfa-expand| Details: Enforcement }}
 
 
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example of customization for each kind of animal
 
{{#ifeq: {{{1|}}} |pigs|
 
{{#ifeq: {{{1|}}} |pigs|
 
Rooting is a natural behavior for pigs where the pig uses his snout to push or nudge into something repeatedly. Pigs root in different ways for different reasons: for comfort, to communicate, to cool off, or to search for food.
 
Rooting is a natural behavior for pigs where the pig uses his snout to push or nudge into something repeatedly. Pigs root in different ways for different reasons: for comfort, to communicate, to cool off, or to search for food.

Revision as of 19:11, 15 November 2019

Even before that USDA dropped their regulation of the grass-fed label in 2016,[1] the designation had only to do with feeding and did not prohibit routine cruelties such as dehorning, castration, harsh living conditions, rough handling, and lack of veterinary care. No on-site inspection was required,[2] and animals could still slaughtered at an early age.[3]

Now, without even a definition of grass-fed provided by the USDA, producers are free to use the label no matter how much grass an animal has been fed. The designation is virtually meaningless.

A stronger verified standard...

  1. USDA Agricultural Marketing Service. “Grass Fed Marketing Claim Standard.” Accessed November 15, 2019. https://www.ams.usda.gov/grades-standards/beef/grassfed.
  2. “Labeling Guideline on Documentation Needed to Substantiate Animal Raising Claims for Label Submissions.” USDA FSIS, n.d. https://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/wcm/connect/bf170761-33e3-4a2d-8f86-940c2698e2c5/Label-Approval-Guide.pdf?MOD=AJPERES
  3. Whisnant, DVM, Patricia. “FAQ Grass Fed Beef.” American Grass Fed Beef (blog). Accessed October 25, 2018. https://www.americangrassfedbeef.com/faq-grass-fed-beef.asp