By Nancy Wiedmann
Georgia Beef Board
Groups representing America's cattle ranchers, pork producers, seafood producers and produce grower-shippers are supporting a proposed plan to label domestic produced fruits, vegetables, beef, pork and seafood with labels displaying their U.S. origin.
Country-of-origin labels
This new voluntary market-based program could offer consumers additional choices and information about agriculture products' origins as well as benefit U.S. producers by promoting American-grown foods.
Announced by House Agriculture Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte (R-VA) and Ranking Minority Member Charles Stenholm (D-TX), the proposed "Food Promotion Act of 2004," will amend the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946 to direct the Secretary of Agriculture to establish the voluntary labeling of produce, meat (including beef, pork, veal, lamb) and seafood with country-of-origin information. The labels are aimed at encouraging consumers to choose American products at their supermarkets.
The National Cattlemen's Beef Association (NCBA), National Pork Producers Council (NPPC), National Fisheries Institute (NFI), United Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Association (UFFVA) and Produce Marketing Association (PMA) voiced strong support and gave thanks to Representatives Goodlatte and Stenholm for spearheading the bipartisan effort aimed at giving both consumers and producers a market-driven, cost-effective labeling program.
Informs consumers, doesn't burden producers
"Cattle producers have been working for years in support of a labeling program that promotes U.S. beef without overburdening producers," said Jan Lyons, NCBA president and a Kansas cattle producer. "The initiative put forth by Representatives Goodlatte and Stenholm represents a market-based solution which promotes American beef, without the costs and liabilities of a government mandated program."
America's pork producers have long supported a workable, voluntary country-of-origin labeling program that may add value to America's pork products.
"The proposed voluntary country-of-origin labeling system is
designed to inform consumers without unduly burdening producers," said Joy Philippi, NPPC vice president and a pork producer from Bruning, Neb. "We've long supported producers, packers and processors who choose to explore alternative markets to build demand for their products."
"The current regulation, as written, is unworkable, especially in the context of wild-caught seafood," said Justin LeBlanc, vice president of government relations at NFI. "A voluntary program achieves a marketing advantage for seafood producers without the cost and confusion of the mandatory rule."
Some produce already labeled
The fresh produce industry supports the program as well.
"The fruit and vegetable industry is committed to providing consumers country-of-origin information on our products," said UFFVA President Tom Stenzel. "This legislation provides the framework for the produce industry to implement our commitment to widespread origin labeling, with strong oversight by the Department of Agriculture to measure our results, and comprehensive reporting back to the Congress."
Today, more than 75 percent of produce offered for sale in U.S. retail stores carries some labeling mechanism such as a sticker or package, which can be adapted to include origin labeling.
"We (producer groups) all agree that the goal is to give consumers useful information about where their food comes from," said Kathy Means, vice president of government relations at PMA. "This legislation puts the labeling responsibility in the hands of marketers and the decision-making in the hands of consumers."
