USCA Applauds Montana Senator Jon Tester for Congressional Resolution on COOL
(WASHINGTON) - Today, U.S. Senator Jon Tester (D-MT) introduced a
resolution supporting the reestablishment of a country-of-origin labeling
(COOL) program. The resolution puts forth a firm statement of support for COOL,
which was repealed in 2015.
The introduction follows months of coordination and collaboration by the
Senator, pulling together consumer and producer stakeholders to push forth
this labeling solution.
United States Cattlemen's Association (USCA) Director Emeritus
issued the following statement:
“Consumers are increasingly seeking out more information on the products they
choose to feed their families. The U.S. produces the highest quality,
safest, and most eco-conscious beef in the world. U.S. cattle producers deserve
the opportunity to showcase their product in the retail marketplace.
"We’re incredibly grateful for Senator Jon Tester continuing to champion
Truth in Labeling efforts through the introduction of this resolution. We ask
other Senators will follow his lead and choose to stand with American consumers
and ranching families.”
The full resolution reads:
WHEREAS the U.S. farmers and ranchers raise the best meat in the
world;
WHEREAS Americans should have the
right to knowingly buy made in American products;
WHEREAS American farmers,
ranchers, workers and consumers benefit from transparency on the origin of
food;
WHEREAS Congress overwhelmingly
supported Country of Origin Labeling (COOL) in the 2008 Farm Bill because 87
percent of consumers want to know the country of origin of their meat;
WHEREAS in 2015, Congress
repealed the County-of-Origin Labeling (COOL) law for beef and pork, reducing
the competitive advantage of products born, raised, and slaughtered in the
U.S.;
WHEREAS there is no standardized
definition that clarifies truth in labeling, disadvantaging American producers;
WHEREAS Congress supports
American products, and consumers deserve the right to know where their food
comes from;
WHEREAS the United States has the
highest phytosanitary standards in the world while other countries place less
emphasis on food safety;
WHEREAS foreign commodities, like
beef and pork, are misleadingly labeled “Product of USA” if they are processed
or packed in the United States;
WHEREAS technological
advancements make it possible to accurately and efficiently identify the origin
of beef and pork without costly segregation of imported and domestic
commodities.
WHEREAS this gives producers and
consumers the ability to identify true American product from foreign imported
meat;
WHEREAS County-of-Origin labeling
is good for farmers, ranchers, workers, and packers, because it allows them to
identify their products as born and raised in the United States;
Resolved – Congress supports
legislation to reinstate County-of-Origin labeling for pork and beef to allow
consumers to make an informed and free choice about where their food comes
from.
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