As a strong supporter of American farmers, U.S. Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer (MO-9) today said he was pleased by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s decision to disavow its initial support for a proposal asking people to reduce the amount of meat they eat by one day a week to help reduce the impacts of the debunked science of global warming.

In a letter sent to Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today, Luetkemeyer said he was intially outraged about a USDA newsletter which encouraged people to embrace so-called “Meatless Monday,” in which the agency stated that the production of meat, especially beef and including dairy, contributed to greenhouse gases and climate change and was responsible for wasted energy resources.

The USDA later said in a news release it had removed the “Meatless Monday” item because it had been “posted without proper clearance.”

“The current disaster conditions, which cover the entire state of Missouri, made USDA’s ‘Meatless Monday’ newsletter release all the more hurtful to many of my constituents,” Luetkemeyer said in his letter to Vilsack. “To that end, I was glad to see the USDA withdraw its request for participation in ‘Meatless Monday.’ According to USDA, this release had not been properly vetted.  As such, I urge the department to remain focused on helping America’s farmers and ranchers at this difficult time, rather than discouraging people from consuming the products of their hard work.”