About VA Verified Beef

What does Virginia Verified Beef mean?

The Virginia Verified Meat law (§3.2-3403), enacted by the 2024 General Assembly, defined Virginia Verified Meat as “bred, born, raised and processed” in the Commonwealth of Virginia.  Virginia Verified Beef is a subset of the Virginia Verified Meat program.  The intent of the Virginia Verified Beef program is to create a label consumers can trust that supports every segment of the beef supply chain in Virginia.  The law established a public/private partnership to verify the stated requirements and ensure program integrity.  Virginia Cattlemen’s Association is the approved certifier of the Virginia Verified Beef program.  The Virginia Verified Beef label may only be applied and used to market beef that is processed in a USDA or Department Inspected Facility and eligible for resale.  Cattle sold as shares prior to harvest are not eligible to be marketed as Virginia Verified Beef because the commodity being marketed under that scenario is cattle. 

AUTHORIZING LEGISLATION & DEFINITIONS:

§ 3.2-3403. Virginia Verified Meat certification.

A. For the purposes of this section:

“Processed” means a substantial transformation at a USDA-inspected or Department-inspected facility in the Commonwealth approved by the Department whereby an animal or animal product is transformed into a new product with a new name, character, or use.

“Raised” means that an animal has spent the majority of its lifespan within the boundaries of the Commonwealth.

“Virginia Verified Meat” means any cattle, goats, sheep, or swine that meet the following conditions: (i) such animal is bred and born in the Commonwealth; (ii) such animal is raised in the Commonwealth; and (iii) such animal is processed in the Commonwealth.

B. A person shall not label any product as Virginia Verified Meat unless such product meets the definition of Virginia Verified Meat pursuant to subsection A or is granted a waiver by the Department for operating across state lines.

C. Any person not employed by the Department shall be eligible to certify Virginia Verified Meat claims consistent with the provisions of this chapter with approval by the Commissioner and shall provide documentation of his certification process to the Commissioner for the Commissioner’s approval.