News Update

October 26, 2015

Science Does Not Support IARC
Opinion on Red Meat and Cancer

An international committee assigned to review all of the available evidence on red meat and cancer risk was divided on its opinion whether to label red meat a “probable” cause of cancer, according to the Beef Checkoff nutrition scientist and registered dietitian who observed the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) process.

After seven days of deliberation in Lyon, France, IARC was unable to reach a consensus agreement from a group of 22 experts in the field of cancer research, something that IARC has proudly highlighted they strive for and typically achieve. In this case, they had to settle for “majority” agreement.

“Cancer is a complex disease that even the best and brightest minds don’t fully understand,” says Shalene McNeill, registered and licensed dietician and nutrition scientist. “Billions of dollars have been spent on studies all over the world, and no single food has ever been proven to cause or cure cancer. The opinion by the IARC committee to list red meat as a probable carcinogen does not change that fact. The available scientific evidence simply does not support a causal relationship between red or processed meat and any type of cancer.”

For more information, please view the full NCBA release online.

— Adapted from a release by the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association.

WHO Considers Risk In Classifying Carcinogens

For the first time, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) included in a report on agents causing cancer the relative risk of getting the disease, a significant development, according to numerous observers at a recent meeting of the group.

The World Health Organization (WHO) agency, at an Oct. 6-13 meeting in Lyon, France, concluded that the relative risk of contracting cancer from consuming red or processed meat is low. It did classify processed meat as a cause of colorectal cancer and a possible cause of gastric cancer and red meat as a probable cause of colorectal cancer and a possible cause of pancreatic and prostate cancer. IARC previously has classified as carcinogens such things as sunlight, alcoholic beverages and being a barber.

“You know, my mother used to say, ‘Everything in moderation,’” said National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) President Ron Prestage, a veterinarian and pork producer from Camden, S.C. “She was a very smart woman, and the smart people out there know you don’t eat a pound of anything every day. So take this IARC report with a grain of salt, but not too much salt because that would be bad for you.”

For more information, please view the full NPPC release online.

— Adapted from a release by the National Pork Producers Council.

WOTUS Flow Halted

Waters of the United States (WOTUS) implementation screeched to a halt this month, as the sixth judicial circuit court of appeals implemented a nationwide “stay” against the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Army Corps of Engineers’ (Corps) rule.

The move effectively stalls the controversial WOTUS rule across the country until the court can determine jurisdiction over the many associated pending lawsuits. The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) says that may happen as soon as November.

The court majority sided with the states over concerns that the burden to state and federal governments and public and private parties outweigh any harm to the agencies in keeping the status quo.

Watch this week’s The Angus Report for more beef cattle industry news and information. You can also catch the show at 5 p.m. CDT Wednesday, 1:30 p.m. CDT Saturday or 7:30 a.m. CDT each Monday morning on RFD-TV.

— Adapted from The Angus Report.

CFI Food Integrity Summit on Transparency

Sam Kass, NBC News senior food analyst and former White House policy advisor, will keynote the Center for Food Integrity (CFI) 2015 Food Integrity Summit: A Clear View of Food Transparency, Nov. 17-18, in New Orleans, La.

In addition, Leslie Turner, general counsel and corporate secretary for The Hershey Co., will discuss how the company has embraced transparency throughout its culture by incorporating changes that include making product information easy to find and transitioning to simple ingredients.

Summit participants also will hear from major food companies that agreed to be put to the test when it comes to transparency. They are the first to use a transparency index developed by CFI as a result of its extensive research. Leaders from the 10 beta test companies will discuss their experiences during a panel discussion. Beta test companies include ConAgra Foods, Smithfield Foods, The Hershey Co., Tyson Foods and Phibro Animal Health.

For more information, please view the full news release online.

— Adapted from a release by Jana McGuire, the Center for Food Integrity.

Texas A&M Associate Department Head Named

Larry Redmon, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service state forage specialist, has been named the associate department head and AgriLife Extension program leader of soil and crop sciences at Texas A&M University, effective Nov. 1.

“Larry brings a strong background in new program development to the position,” said David Baltensperger, soil and crop sciences department head in College Station.

Redmon’s new role will include leadership for soil and crop science faculty across the state, including budget development, evaluation, commodity group relations, industry partnerships, response coordination and visioning for the future, Baltensperger said.

Travis Miller, AgriLife Extension interim director for state operations, College Station, said in discussion of the state forage specialist position being vacated by Redmon: “We obviously need a leader in forages for the state; someone to coordinate and plan effective programming for forages and stakeholders who depend on forages.”

He said Redmon, who will be filling the position Miller held for 13 years, would be great for the job.

For more information, please view the full AgriLife release online.

— Adapted from a release by Kay Ledbetter, AgriLife Communications-Texas.

— Compiled by Paige Nelson, field editor, Angus Journal.