July 13, 2023 (Westminster, Colo.) - The National Bison Association is celebrating July as Bison month,
encouraging consumers to add this uniquely American, delicious, humanely raised, supremely healthy
protein to their regular diets. Bison are handled as little as possible. Bison are not domesticated, they
spend their lives on grass, with very little or no time in the feedlot. They are not subjected to
questionable drugs, chemicals or hormones. The members of the NBA feel so strongly about this that
the NBA bylaws oppose the use of these substances in the production of Bison for meat.


It's for these reasons that the National Bison Association has been dismayed that water buffalo is being
imported in the United States and being marketed, in some instances, as "Wild Buffalo". This deceptive
approach to marketing water buffalo as bison is dishonest to the consumer and threatens the supreme
food safety that the bison industry affords to its customers.


“Owning a bison farm, I am aware of what it takes to raise bison and the many benefits that come with
the production of bison products for West Virginia,” Representative Carol Miller said. “When a product
is labeled as ‘buffalo,’ consumers usually think that product contains bison. “This bill makes absolutely
certain that only bison products are labeled as buffalo and that any water buffalo products have their
own specific label,” she said. “This will help consumers make better choices and bolster the American
bison industry.”


The Truth in Buffalo Labeling Act of 2023 (H.3866), recently introduced in the House by Representatives
Carol Miller (R-WV-1) and Yadira Caraveo (D-CO-8); and A bill to provide clarification regarding the
common or usual name for bison and compliance with section 403 of the Federal Food, Drug, and
Cosmetic Act, and for other purposes (S.258) introduced in the Senate by Senators John Hoeven (R-ND),
Michael Bennet (D-CO), Kevin Cramer (R-ND), Jon Tester (D-MT), Mike Braun (R-IN), Tina Smith (D-MN),
Jacky Rosen (D-NV), John Thune (R-SD), Jerry Moran (R-KS), and Roger Marshall (R-KS) will provide this
much needed clarification of terms for bison. Both bills are supported by the National Bison Association
and National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition.


“The voices of our diverse membership in the National Bison Association have helped create and shape
this legislation, and now is the moment we need support from members and friends beyond to ensure
this legislation becomes enacted,” stated National Bison Association Executive Director Jim Matheson.
“We encourage folks to contact their representatives and push for hearings in the house and senate on
this bill.”


The National Bison Association is a 28-year-old, member-based, nonprofit trade association made up of
bison farmers, ranchers, marketers, conservationists, public herd managers, enthusiasts and more. We
are based in Westminster, Colorado. Learn more at www.bisoncentral.com, and @nationalbison.