FRANKFORT, KY (Feb. 11, 2025) - Attorney General Russell Coleman and Agriculture Commissioner Jonathan Shell announced today they are standing up for Kentucky's beef cattle farmers. General Coleman and Commissioner Shell sent letters to object to the previous administration's attempts to restrict the raising and enjoying of beef and other meat.
Kentucky is home to the most beef cattle of any state east of the Mississippi River and ranks 8th nationally.
Attorney General Coleman—in a joint letter with a 23-state coalition of attorneys general—and Commissioner Shell wrote letters to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the U.S. Department of Agriculture. They pushed back against dietary recommendations made by a committee appointed by the Biden-Harris Administration. Every five years, the federal government publishes the "Dietary Guidelines for Americans." The Biden-Harris committee recommended that the new guidelines list beans, peas, and lentils as the best source of protein and move meat, poultry, and eggs to last on the list of recommended sources of protein.
The benefits of animal-based proteins, like beef, for a healthy diet are well known. No other food has as much protein, calorie for calorie, as beef and other meats. Sufficient protein consumption is linked to proper childhood development, combating anemia, and building and maintaining muscle.
"Enough already. Even after they've left office, we're still fighting the lingering effects of the Biden-Harris Administration's assault on common sense. By coming after beef, poultry and eggs, these politically motivated guidelines are also an attack on the Kentucky farmers who produce them," said Attorney General Coleman. "We're going to keep fighting for Kentucky farmers and the families – like mine – who enjoy what they choose to put on our tables."
"Kentucky's beef industry is not just a cornerstone of our economy—it's a way of life for thousands of farm families. The push to reduce red meat consumption ignores both the science of its nutritional benefits and the economic impact on rural communities," said Commissioner Shell "We need balanced, science-based dietary guidelines that support consumer choice, protect our farmers, and recognize the essential role beef plays in a healthy diet. I will continue to stand with Kentucky's farm families to ensure their voices are heard."
Read Attorney General Coleman's letter.
Read Commissioner Shell's letter.
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