The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association is taking action to protect the United States cattle industry from threatening imports and cell-cultured products. NCBA vice president of government affairs Ethan Lane says ahead of possible rulemaking to create package labeling, a number of agriculture groups told USDA they want cell-cultured meats to be distinctly labeled.

He says consumers need to know the difference between cell cultured products and meat grown and harvested on the farm and as a result they are recommending the use of lab grown as a description.

NCBA is also taking issue with Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and his refusal to enforce a ban on Brazilian beef due to concerns about BSE.

Lane says they don’t agree with the Secretary and have signed on to support Senator John Tester’s bill that would ban Brazilian beef imports until they can prove there is no threat to the U.S. beef supply.