News

Colorado legislature considering identifying USA beef

A bill has been introduced in the Colorado General Assembly that would require Colorado retailers to inform consumers where their beef originates.

Colorado state representative Kimmi Lews tells Brownfield the Beef Country of Origin Recognition bill is geared toward food safety.  “This is a public health type bill rather than an ag bill,” she says.  “Of course, it will impact ag consumers, but we want to gear it toward consumers.  People who eat here in Colorado all want to know where their food comes from.”

As a Colorado beef producer, she says she’s proud of the product she raises.  “I don’t know why with beef, the United States of America can’t be equally charged up about buying USA products like they do everything else,” she says.  “USA steel, cotton, all of our nuts and our grains, everything.  But beef and pork have been left out and it’s corruption at the highest level.”

Lewis introduced a similar bill last year, during her first year in the Colorado state legislature, but it failed to pass out of the agriculture committee by one vote.

She says she’s more confident about the bill this time around.  “We’ll be a little more streetwise this time,” she says.  “And realize we have to get the word out there.”

Lewis says a similar type legislation has already been passed in North Dakota.

AUDIO: Kimmi Lewis, Colorado state representative