Editor,
I have a beef with the Collegian editorial regarding natural and local meats.
Agriculture is a consumer-driven industry. Consumers have many options to choose from, including meats raised using scientifically accepted, conventional production practices or specialty meats, such as meat marketed as natural or locally raised. There's nothing wrong with any of these choices.
Where I run into problems is when people and companies, like Chipotle, represent certain choices in a way that falsely accuses conventional agriculture of being unethical.
Conventional agricultural production practices are used for good reasons. In the United States, we're fortunate that not only do we have the safest food supply in the world, but we also spend the smallest percentage of our disposable income purchasing this food.
Conventional production practices contribute to this by producing an efficient and cost-effective product, which is what the vast majority of consumers demand. Some consumers are willing to pay a premium for specialty meats, and they have every opportunity to do so.
The bottom line is that regardless of what meat consumers choose, they should be aware of the fact that conventional beef is a safe, healthy and wholesome option.
Chelsea Good
Senior in agricultural communications and journalism
