The US Cattlemen’s Association is not happy. Ranchers’ ire has been aroused by a raft of new companies that claim to be able to produce the perfect burger – without using meat.

Earlier this year, the association took its case to the US department of agriculture, filing a 15-page petition demanding Washington produces an official definition of both “beef” and “meat”.

The targets of the petition are companies like Impossible Foods and Beyond Meat, which believe that science now enables vegetarians to enjoy the taste and texture of meat with a clear conscience.

Animals are not killed and the carbon footprint is far lower than in traditional farming. American cattlemen are not impressed, to put it mildly, with the relentless advance of the plant food industry.

“While at this time, alternative protein sources are not a direct threat to the beef industry, we do see improper labelling of these products as misleading,” said Lia Biondo, the association’s policy and outreach director.

“Our goal is to head off the problem before it becomes a larger issue.”