Source: POLITICO'S MORNING AGRICULTURE, 7/26/18

Meat and livestock groups — collectively known as "The Barnyard" in Washington — are this morning urging Trump to intervene in the ongoing regulatory turf dispute over cell-cultured animal products.

FDA and USDA have each suggested they have jurisdiction, though FDA has been out front on the issue, holding a recent public meeting to solicit input on how to oversee the products, which grow animal cells into tissue that can be used to recreate things like sausages and ground meat without slaughtering animals. The Barnyard wants USDA to oversee the nascent sector.

Do it for the consumers: The National Cattlemen's Beef Association, the North American Meat Institute, the National Chicken Council and others are planning to send the president a letter this morning that makes their case: "Protecting the health and welfare of consumers is our top priority and this goal is achieved under a comprehensive regulatory system administered by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)," they write, according to a copy obtained by MA. "That system ensures all meat and poultry products are held to the same rigorous food safety and labeling standards. Anything less is a grave disservice to consumers and producers."

Is it meat or not? In the letter, the groups call FDA's move on the issue a "power grab" and allege that the agency excluded USDA completely from its public meeting (some USDA officials participated in the audience, but not as part of the program). The groups note that one of the cell-cultured industry leaders stated very clearly at the meeting, "Our beef is beef, our chicken is chicken."

"If that is so, then cell cultured protein products that purport to be meat or poultry should be subject to the same comprehensive inspection system that governs other amenable meat and poultry products to ensure they are wholesome and safe for consumption, and to ensure they are labeled and marketed in a manner that provides a level playing field in the market place."