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R-CALF USA says now is the time for mandatory country of origin labeling

The CEO of R-CALF USA says it’s time to put America’s farmers, ranchers, and consumers first and pass mandatory country of origin labeling.

Bill Bullard says bills have been introduced in both the US House and Senate.  “The Senate version of the country of origin labeling bill, directs our Trade Ambassador and Ag Secretary to try to resolve the country boards labeling dispute,” he says. “That’s all good. The Harriet Hageman bill, however, says that the WTO’s present or past actions will have no impact on Congress’s ability to provide consumers with information as to where the beef comes from.”

He tells Brownfield getting m-COOL passed will be a challenge, but R-CALF members are ready for a fight. “The most important thing is that we ultimately do have mandatory country of origin labeling at every grocery retail outlet for consumers,” he says. 

The American Beef Labeling Act is sponsored by Senator John Thune of South Dakota.  The companion legislation, introduced in the U.S. House, is sponsored by Representatives Harriet Hageman (R-WY) and Ro Khanna (D-CA).  It has six bipartisan cosponsors Paul Gosar (R-AZ), Earl Blumenauer (D-OR), Brandon Williams (R-NY), Jill Tokuda (D-HI), and Lauren Boebert (R-CO).

Brownfield interviewed Bullard following the conclusion of R-CALF USA’s annual meeting. 

AUDIO: Bill Bullard, R-CALF USA