In the United States, conventional livestock are given feed containing Beta Agonists for several weeks immediately preceding slaughter. Beta Agonists are controversial feed additives/drugs, designed to rapidly increase cattle muscle mass and promote weight gain. As a result of the inclusion of these drugs in our cattle feed, numerous countries such as Russia, South Korea, Taiwan and even China, have banned the import of meat containing traces of certain Beta Agonists. Consequently, the US meat industry has lost hundreds of millions of dollars in exports.
The USDA, in an effort to restore the US meat industry to its former export glory, has implemented a Never Fed Beta Agonists certification and label program. The program is, "available to companies that produce livestock, beef and pork products..." and is subject to a USDA approved Quality System Verification Program (QSVP). Restoration of exports to Russia alone, is estimated to have an approximate value of 300 million dollars.
It appears that the USDA has not implemented this program for altruistic purposes, but instead for financial reasons. It is ironic that such a label program could be implemented so easily and cost effectively, to increase the meat export industry's bottom dollar. This is notwithstanding that our country struggles to pass a GMO label law in even a single state, as same is deemd to be cost prohibitive. Apparently, the hypocrisy of certain governmental agencies is without end. Perhaps it is only in a perfect world that governmental agencies designed for the people and by the people, will act based not on greed but on the best interest of the populous.
Many people believe China is one of the most toxic countries on Earth. Notwithstanding, for health reasons China has rejected importing meat from the U.S. that contains Beta Agonists. So why are the American people being fed meat with Beta Agonists? The answer is likely to be found within the color of money. It is time for the American people to take back their health and protect themselves from corporate greed and governmental hypocrisy. If the people unite and refuse to buy meat containing harmful additives such as growth enhancing drugs/hormones, steroids, antibiotics and genetically modified organisms (GMO's), the law of supply and demand will prevail. We can no longer wait for or rely upon our government and its agencies to protect us, as the corruption appears to run far too deep. So the next time you go to a supermarket to buy food for your family, please read the labels and choose wisely. Our children are depending on us to do so.
Long Island Lawyer
Paul A. Lauto, Esq.