Things are heating up for bison – focused legislation according to officials with the National Bison Association( NBA ).
” We have two leading problems for the buffalo sector, both essential to the dignity of our national animal. First, continued funding for vital Malignant Catarrhal Fever ( MCF ) vaccine research and vaccine development which is nearing completion. Secondly, section of the Truth in Buffalo Labeling Act – distinguishing North American Bison from Water Buffalo”, said Lydia Whitman, Program Manager for the National Bison Association.
The bison industry is grateful for the tireless work of the USDA Agriculture Research Service on the Malignant Catarrhal Fever( MCF ) vaccination. Over 15 years of work on the vaccination has resulted in significant progress, with the resistant – of – strategy review officially underway. Due to the relatively small buffalo population of approximately 400, 000, there is little opportunity for business creation of the vaccine for use in private, public, and cultural animals. As such, the National Bison Association is requesting$ 2 million in revenue in the next Farm Bill to support the development, creation, promotion, and distribution of the MCF vaccine. This money volume was suggested by the authority of USDA ARS who are working on finalizing this vaccine in the near term.
The NBA is also lobbying Congress to resolve the ongoing regulatory issue of imported water buffalo being remarkably substituted for American buffalo and being marketed, in some instances, as” Wild Buffalo”. Due to a regulation loophole, water buffalo can be labeled simply as” buffalo” under existing FDA policy, not” water buffalo”, which is obviously deceiving the consumer into thinking that they’re purchasing bison, or American buffalo, thus threatening the food safety of buffalo meat.
” Owning a bison farm, I am aware of what it takes to raise bison and the many benefits that come with the production of bison products for West Virginia”, Representative Carol Miller ( R – WV – 1 ) said. ” When a product is labeled as’ buffalo,’ users often think that product contains buffalo”. This act makes positively certain that even bison products are labeled as bull and that any water bull products have their own particular label,” she said”. This will help customers make better choices and boost the British bison industry.”
The Truth in Buffalo Labeling Act of 2023( H. 3866 ), recently introduced in the House by Representatives Carol Miller ( R – WV – 1 ) and Yadira Caraveo ( D – CO – 8 ), and A bill to provide clarification regarding the common or usual name for bison and compliance with section 403 of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, and for other purposes ( S. 258 ) introduced in the Senate by Senators John Hoeven( R – ND ), and Michael Bennet( D – CO ), and co – sponsored by Kevin Cramer( R – ND ), Jon Tester( D – MT ), Mike Braun( R – IN ), Tina Smith( D – MN ), Jacky Rosen( D – NV ), John Thune( R – SD ), Jerry Moran( R – KS ), and Roger
Marshall ( R – KS ) will provide this much – needed clarification of terms for bison. Both ideas are supported by the National Bison Association and National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition.
” The different account of the National Bison Association has helped create and design this legislation, and now is the moment that we need support from members and other bison stakeholders to ensure this legislation becomes enacted,” stated National Bison Association Executive Director Jim Matheson”. We encourage NBA people to contact their representatives and push for hearings in the House and Senate on this act, or better still, participation in the next U. S. Farm Bill.”
The National Bison Association is a 28-year-old nonprofit trade association with members that is made up of bison farmers, farmers, businesses, environmentalists, common herd managers, enthusiasts, and more. The NBA has its headquarters in Westminster, Colorado. Visit web to learn more. both @ nationalbison and bsoncentral.com.
