Image by ColleenMichaels/DepositPhotos
There is support for new legislation introduced in the U.S. Senate concerning the labeling of beef. Rusty Halvorson has the story.
The National Farmers Union (NFU) has announced support of the American Beef Labeling Act, introduced by Senators John Thune (R-S.D.) and Cory Booker (D-N.J.). This legislation codifies mandatory country-of-origin labeling (MCOOL) for beef sold in the U.S.
Specifically, NFU says the legislation will give American cattle farmers and ranchers more power in production and marketing by including package labeling indicating that their product has been born, raised, slaughtered, and packaged entirely in the U.S.
As of today, mandatory country of origin labeling for beef in the U.S. is not enforced; the requirement was repealed in 2015 due to concerns raised by Canada and Mexico regarding trade disputes with the World Trade Organization.
The announcement fell smack-dab in the middle of the annual CattleCon convention of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, which has historically sided with the packing industry in opposition to MCOOL.