The sustainable agriculture coalition is urging people to oppose the USDA’s proposed “naturally raised” label, saying it would mislead consumers, undermining the markets created by sustainable livestock producers.

If the USDA’s proposal goes through, livestock producers could label their meat USDA verified “naturally raised” without any concern for animal welfare or environmental stewardship and without the animals ever necessarily stepping foot on pasture, according to the coalition. Producers would only be required to certify that their livestock were never given antibiotics, hormones, or animal byproducts.

While the proposed requirements address important concerns, the coalition argues that this could more simply and accurately be signaled through “no supplemental hormones added” and “no antibiotic used” labels USDA had previously proposed in conjunction with the recently approved grass-fed label, and another label claim under review for “free range” and “pasture raised.” Feeding of animal byproducts could be addressed with a “no animal byproducts fed” label claim.

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