Since 1899, “to have a beef” has indicated more than just owning cattle, taking on significance outside the field or corral and meaning to harbor a complaint, grievance, or objection.

Today, those who raise cattle and many who eat beef have a beef with the fact that they may not be eating meat raised in the United States. According to Bill Bullard, CEO of Ranchers-Cattlemen Action Legal Fund United Stockgrowers of America (R-CALF USA), if a consumer buys off the grocery store shelf, the chances are very high that such beef is from South America or even Africa.

Because of that possibility, R-CALF USA and its members want to see Mandatory Country-of-Origin Labeling (M-COOL) for beef. Since 2015, when Congress voted to end the requirement that meat labels reveal where the meat comes from, Americans can no longer choose to buy American beef unless an M-COOL law is restored.

Bullard pointed out that during this COVID-19 crisis, while American cattle ranchers are being denied access to their own markets, packers and other importers are continuing to import foreign cattle into the U.S. each week from Canada and Mexico. “The beef from these foreign cattle is then deceptively sold to American consumers as if it were produced by hard-working American cattle farmers and ranchers,” Bullard said.

He further commented: “It’s unconscionable for the U.S. to allow foreign cattle to displace American cattle producers’ access to their own domestic market, and only with M-COOL can consumers begin supporting the American food supply chain by choosing to buy beef that is exclusively born, raised, and harvested in the United States.”

A Blaine County producer who wished to remain anonymous said, “Ranchers are continuing to take a hit in the beef market. And maybe you don’t realize that you may not be eating American beef. We need people to make their needs known. Our food is being taken right off our tables and being replaced by a lesser quality, maybe even a particularly unsafe product. Meanwhile, some ranchers are going broke!”

That individual went on to say, “Here, in Blaine County, we are somewhat spoiled because Bear Paw Meats works hard to use local beef, but if you get out of the Milk River Valley, it’s not the same, and people should know what is happening in the food department. People need to be aware of local supplies and should tell their friends and family that live elsewhere to question their food source—maybe seek out their own local producers.”

Individuals wishing to be proactive on this issue can contact their local representatives and the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue to make their voices heard. To help stop the importing of foreign beef, people can call the Ag Secretary at 202-720-3631.

Additional information on this issue is also available from R-CALF USA, a national, non-profit organization that is dedicated to ensuring the continued profitability and viability of the U.S. cattle industry. R-CALF USA is the largest producer-only membership based organization that exclusively represents U.S. cattle and sheep producers on domestic and international trade and marketing issues.