The United States Cattlemen’s Association (USCA) calls USDA’s final voluntary ‘Product of USA‘ rule a victory. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced the rule earlier this week at the National Farmers Union annual convention.
USCA has worked tirelessly to clarify years of confusion at the consumer level regarding the labeling of U.S. beef products. Starting in 2017, USCA’s Director Emeritus Leo McDonnell led a nationwide fundraising effort of cattle producers nationwide that initiated federal rulemaking to close the loophole created by the 2015 repeal of mandatory country-of-origin labeling. He stated, “This announcement takes the necessary steps to bring back truth in labeling.”
The final rule announced this week follows a request made by the USCA in a petition for rulemaking submitted to USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service in 2019.
USCA President Justin Tupper added, “USCA is thrilled that the final rule finally closes this loophole by accurately defining what these voluntary origin claims mean.”
(From the National Association of Farm Broadcasters)