From staff reports
OKLAHOMA CITY – National Cattlemen’s Beef Association Executive Director of Government Affairs Kent Bacus made positive remarks regarding USDA’s finalization of a rule on “Product of USA” labeled meats.
According to the USDA, going into effect Jan. 1, 2026, this rule will allow a voluntary “Product of USA” label to be used on meat, poultry and egg products when they derive from animals born, raised, slaughtered and processed within the U.S.
“Initially, we are glad to see the USDA take some action,” Bacus said. “This is an issue that we have been wanting to see resolved for several years. This all goes back to a grassroots-led committee that went and looked at all of the issues we were fighting with these Product of USA labels.”
Due to the potential of mislabeling imported meats, Bacus said the issue has gained the attention of NCBA for several years. “We have been anticipating this final rule for quite some time, so now we are looking at those details,” Bacus said.
“There is going to be a lot of questions and this is going to be something we are going to have to look into,” Bacus said. “The compliance date for this is Jan. 1, 2026, so there is quite a long lead-up until this would actually go into effect. There is a lot to unpack here. At the end of the day, we are still going to be focused on finding those solutions that provide opportunities for producer premiums.”
Seen as a marketing issue, Bacus emphasizes the opportunity for U.S. cattle producers to highlight their products in a trade-compliant, premium yielding manner. “This has been a big loophole for many years that has prevented U.S. cattle producers from being able to capitalize on that demand in the marketplace,” he said. “We want to be able to have a voluntary way of differentiating our products in the marketplace, and doing so in a way that is trade compliant.”