Groups Seek Reintroduction of American Beef Labeling Act
The United States Cattlemen’s Association, R-CALF USA, among 48 other groups and organizations recently sent a letter to U.S. Senate and House members asking them to reintroduce the American Beef Labeling Act in 2023, which would reinstate country-of-origin-labeling (COOL) for beef in the U.S.
As the letter states, “We the undersigned organizations would like to express our gratitude for your leadership and support of the American Beef Labeling Act (S.2716, H.R. 7291). This commonsense policy has remained popular with the American people since Congress rescinded country of origin labeling for beef in 2015.”
This bill would re-insert the words “beef” and “ground beef” to the existing 2002 MCOOL law, which requires country of origin labels on other foods, such as lamb, chicken, fish, nuts, fruits and vegetables. The bill would further require all beef, including imported beef, to be labeled as to where it was born, raised and harvested.
The joint letter also notes a recent poll conducted by Morning Consult on behalf of the Coalition for Prosperous America (CPA), in which 86% of votes support the American Beef Labeling Act, with 64% of voters who strongly support and 22% of voters who somewhat support the legislation.
Originally introduced in the Senate by Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) in September 2021, the bill was last referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry.
The letter addressed Sen. Thune and co-sponsors Sen. Jon Tester (D-Mont.), Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), Sen. Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Sen. John Hoeven (R-N.D.), Sen. Ben Ray Lujan (D-N.M.), Sen. Cynthia Lummis (R-Wy.), Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Sen. John Barrasso (R-Wy.) and Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), as well as U.S. House of Representatives supporters, including Rep. Lance Gooden (R-Texas), Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) and Rep. Morgan Griffith (R-Virg.).
“Although we did not cross the finish line in the 117th Congress we are confident that with your continued leadership and our support we can ensure that beef produced from U.S. born and raised cattle is distinguished in the marketplace and consumers will have accurate information as to the origins of the beef they purchase for their families in the 118th Congress,” the letter states.
The 118th United States Congress session began on Jan. 3, 2023.
The full list of groups signing in support of the American Beef Labeling Act can be found in the letter.
