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Mandatory country of origin labeling reintroduced

Bipartisan legislation has been reintroduced in the U.S. Senate to reinstate country of origin labeling for beef.

Majority Leader John Thune of South Dakota, bill co-sponsor, called on Ag Secretary nominee Brooke Rollins to find a World Trade Organization-compliant labeling solution for beef during her recent confirmation hearing.

“The system in which producers operate needs to be fair and transparent, I think it’s critical that we take the steps to pass legislation tasking USDA and USTR to find a path forward on mandatory country of origin labeling,” he said.

Mandatory country-of-origin labeling provisions were enacted by the 2002 Farm Bill and implemented in 2009. After a lengthy trade dispute with Canada and Mexico, it was repealed in 2016.

The American Beef Labeling Act is co-sponsored by Senator Cory Booker of New Jersey and supported by the U.S. Cattlemen’s Association and R-CALF USA.