October 27, 2005
The Agriculture Appropriation conference committee has once again voted against the will of agriculture producers and consumers across the country. Yesterday, they adopted an additional two year delay of the implementation of mandatory Country-of-Origin Labeling for all products except seafood. A majority of the conferees have signed off on the House and Senate report, which will go to vote in both houses in the near future.
The delay is a repeat of history, when the same action occurred in 2003. Once again, Country-of-Origin Labeling has been delayed with no public debate and no floor vote on the specific provision. The Conferees decision was made behind closed doors with no debate, even within the committee.
WORC state Committee members Senators Dorgan (D-ND), Johnson (D-SD) and Burns (R-MT) did not sign the bill specifically because of the country-of-origin labeling delay. Senator Craig (R-ID) did not sign the report for different reasons.
Please take a few minutes to call or fax Senators Dorgan, Johnson and Burns and thank them for standing up for the producers and consumers of our country by refusing to sign on to this report delaying country-of-origin labeling.
Senator Byron Dorgan (D-ND) Phone: 202-224-2551 Fax: 202-224-1193
Senator Tim Johnson (D-SD) Phone: 202-224-5842 Fax: 202-228-5765
Senator Conrad Burns (R-MT) Phone: 202-224-2644 Fax: 202-2248594
Background:
The 2002 Farm Bill requires mandatory country of origin labeling of beef, lamb, pork, fish, fresh and frozen fruits and vegetables, and peanuts. The label would be found on foods sold in grocery stores, and would state the food’s country of origin. The Farm Bill called for the rules to go into effect in September 2004.
The rules have gone into effect for fish, fruits and vegetables and peanuts. However, ranchers and consumers still await implementation of the labeling for meats. The current House version of the Ag Appropriations bill only postpones labeling of beef.
Mandatory Country of Origin Labeling would benefit both consumers, who will be able to make an informed choice and buy food produced closer to home, and producers, who need a way to identify their crops and livestock as products of the United States.
Since passage of the 2002 Farm Bill, country of origin labeling for meat has been under attack. The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association and corporate agribusiness have been trying to delay and ultimately kill Country of Origin Labeling. The implementation date was delayed once through the appropriations process in 2004, now opponents are trying to use the same back door approach to delay country of origin labeling of meat again.
WORC Contact Information:
Jeri Lynn Bakken
701-376-7077 (Phone and fax)
WORC is a network of grassroots organizations from seven states that include 9,500 members and 45 local community groups. WORC helps its members succeed by providing training and by coordinating regional issue campaigns.
For more information on mandatory labeling contact WORC at 701/376-7077
or 406/252-9672.
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