Senators John Hoeven of North Dakota and Michael Bennet of Colorado have introduced the Truth in Buffalo Labeling Act in the Senate while a companion measure has been introduced in the House. National Bison Association Executive Director Dave Carter is pleased with those introductions. He says some companies have been purchasing water buffalo from overseas mis-labeling it as buffalo.

He says it’s become a truth in labeling issue and consumers need to be ensured that the product they’re purchasing is authentic.

Carter says allowing that mis-labeling to continue hurts not only the bison producers themselves but also hurts their relationships with their customers.

Under the Truth in Buffalo Labeling Act water buffalo would have to be marketed as water buffalo while bison products would continue to be labeled as bison or buffalo.