What’s the U.S.D.A. Afraid Of? Not Me!

By MARK BITTMAN

“Hi, U.S.D.A.? This is Mark Bittman calling.”

My column this week is about a “lovers’ quarrel” between the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (N.C.B.A.) and the Department of Agriculture (U.S.D.A.). Following the withdrawal of an article in an internal U.S.D.A. newsletter supportive of Meatless Mondays – an occurrence that appears to have been directly triggered by an angry rant by the N.C.B.A.’s president – I asked both organizations for interviews; both declined. Here are the questions I had for the U.S.D.A.:

“The Department may not officially endorse Meatless Mondays, but does it not acknowledge that the reasons given in [the newsletter] for eating less meat are valid? If they are valid (and they are widely recognized to be), then why won’t the Department support eating less meat, or no meat one day per week? Isn’t that part of your mission?”

“Do you accept that some or all Americans might be at risk from the environmental threats posed by producing so much meat? If so, is it the U.S.D.A.’s job to try to mitigate those threats?”

“American meat consumption has dropped over the last handful of years. Are you concerned about this? Should we be eating more meat? The Cattlemen seem to think so.”

“Might you support a program aimed at getting Americans to eat more fruits, vegetables, whole grains and legumes on Mondays?”

“Is it more important to support meat producers than those who produce other crops? The U.S.D.A. supports a balanced diet, but it doesn’t appear to be giving balanced support. Could you comment on that?”

This was the spokesman’s response:

Hi Mark,

Thanks for your note as I know you follow ag/nutrition issues closely. After reviewing your questions, I believe the best resource I can point you to is the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, which USDA and HHS [the Department of Health and Human Services] work together to establish every five years as federal nutrition guidance. I think you know that this effort is led by USDA’s Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion (CNPP), and I checked in with Rob Post, who helps lead this agency. Below is information he provided to me. Wanted to send your way.

Attributable to Rob Post, CNPP:

The 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans, which is based on the most recent scientific evidence review, provides information and recommendations for choosing a healthy eating pattern that focuses on nutrient-dense foods and beverages, and that contributes to achieving and maintaining a healthy weight. The evidence supporting the Guidelines (at Nutrition Evidence Library.gov) was analyzed and concluded by an external committee of renown experts in nutrition and health. The Committee determined that a healthy eating pattern is not a prescription. Thus, the Guidelines emphasize that cultural and taste preferences should be considered in the effort to choose healthful foods across all food groups that are more nutrient-dense and lower in calories from added sugars and solid fats, and lower in sodium, while staying within calorie needs. Therefore, there is a great deal of flexibility in forming a healthy eating pattern that abides by the nutritional science, and that accommodates personal taste and cultural preferences. USDA promotes flexibility in eating patterns and not dictating choices. For those consumers who prefer meat as a choice from the protein foods group, the SuperTracker enables them to build a healthy eating pattern, including lean and extra lean meat at the appropriate amounts, while staying within calorie limits and limits for added sugars, solid fats, and sodium.
Hope this is helpful, Mark!

So, rather than answer any of my questions, the U.S.D.A. gave me a one-paragraph primer on the latest version of its Dietary Guidelines for Americans (which, for the record, tells us to reduce our intake of saturated fats, and eat more fish, seafood, fruits and vegetables). If you’re eating more of all of that stuff, what might you possibly have to eat less of to make room for it?

I don’t know. They won’t tell me. Or anyone else.

While we’re at it, here’s the original N.C.B.A. release that caused the U.S.D.A. to retract its Meatless Monday support. (What happened to the poor, well-intentioned soul who wrote that?)

USDA Supports Meatless Monday Campaign

NCBA Questions USDA’s Commitment to U.S. Cattlemen

WASHINGTON (July 25, 2012) – National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) President J.D. Alexander said the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) recent announcement that the agency embraces the “Meatless Monday” concept calls into question USDA’s commitment to U.S. farmers and ranchers. USDA stated “one simple way to reduce our environmental while dining at our cafeteria is to participate in the “Meatless Monday” initiative,” which Alexander said is an animal rights extremist campaign to ultimately end meat consumption.

“This is truly an awakening statement by USDA, which strongly indicates that USDA does not understand the efforts being made in rural America to produce food and fiber for a growing global population in a very sustainable way,” said Alexander. “USDA was created to provide a platform to promote and sustain rural America in order to feed the world. This move by USDA should be condemned by anyone who believes agriculture is fundamental to sustaining life on this planet.”

USDA goes one step further in its quest to reduce meat consumption, according to Alexander, by specifically calling out beef and dairy production as harmful to the environment. Additionally, the USDA cites health concerns related to the consumption of meat. These concerns are not at all based in fact, according to Alexander, but simply spout statistics and rhetoric generated by anti-animal agriculture organizations. The fact is the consumption of beef is not only healthy, but the carbon footprint of the production of beef has dramatically decreased as a result of innovative environmental stewardship implemented by America’s farm and ranch families throughout the country.

“Today’s cattlemen are significantly more environmentally sustainable then they were 30 years ago. A study by Washington State University found that today’s farmers and ranchers raise 13 percent more beef from 13 percent fewer cattle. When compared with beef production in 1977, each pound of beef produced today produces 18 percent less carbon emissions; takes 30 percent less land; and requires 14 percent less water,” said Alexander. “When it comes to health, beef has an amazing story to tell. Beef is a naturally nutrient-rich food, helping you get more nutrition from the calories you take in.”

Alexander said NCBA will not remain silent as USDA turns its back on cattlemen and consumers.

And here’s the substantive part of my exchange with that organization:

M.B.: Is there someone who might like to speak with me about your position on meat consumption?

N.C.B.A.: U.S.D.A. just came out and publicly said they do NOT support Meatless Monday and pulled the statement from its website. We don’t have much to say now.

M.B.: If I wanted to interview someone about this? On the record?

N.C.B.A.: We spoke to The New York Times yesterday about this issue. Since we are at summer conference this week, I’m going to pass on this.

M.B.: I’ll just take that as a “declined to comment.”

N.C.B.A.: That’s not accurate. We already commented to your outlet — The New York Times. Plus our comments are stated in the two statements we issued yesterday. Our stance is also clearly defined on www.explorebeef.org.

End of “conversation.” I suppose you could accurately say that the N.C.B.A. didn’t decline to “comment”; rather, they declined to speak with me or answer specific questions.

Same as the U.S.D.A.

Original Article Here