NCBA responded on social media to this week’s announcement by New York City
Mayor Bill de Blasio that all city schools will implement Meatless Mondays “for
the future of the planet.” Key messages posted by NCBA on Twitter and Facebook
were highlighted by the latest comprehensive study from the USDA Ag Research
Service showing U.S. cattle production accounts for only 2% of all greenhouse
gas emissions in the U.S. Authors of the study declared the U.S. cattle
industry “is not a significant contributor to long-term global warming.”
While banning beef in the U.S. would have little or no practical affect on global temperatures, according to NCBA, it will have a negative impact on the health and nutrition of New York’s students. Research repeatedly has shown beef provides high-quality protein and essential nutrients like iron, zinc and B vitamins.