Congressional Hearings on Mandatory Labeling Planned

Action continues this week on Capitol Hill in response to the mandatory country-of-origin labeling law that passed as part of the 2002 Farm Bill. During ‘mark-up’ meetings of the House Subcommittee on Agriculture Appropriations today, Chairman Henry Bonilla (R-TX) added a provision barring funds for the implementation of the mandatory labeling law for meat and meat products.

"It's essential that we provide time for Congress to properly evaluate this issue,” says Bonilla.  “We will not jump blindly -- we must consider all implications and make an educated decision. That is exactly what my Subcommittee intends to do and I am thankful that the House Agriculture Committee shares our concerns and has decided to hold hearings on it."

“Recent discussions have brought to light serious concerns about the Country of Origin labeling law in the 2002 Farm Bill,” says Bryan Dierlam, director of legislative affairs for the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA).  “We strongly agree that Rep. Bonilla’s actions will stop the freight train of heated rhetoric out there and start a realistic debate, in front of Congress, about mandatory labeling.”

Also today, Congressman Bob Goodlatte (R-VA), Chairman of the House Committee on Agriculture, has announced a full Committee hearing on the Country of Origin labeling law, to be held in Washington on Tuesday, June 24, 2003 at 9:30 AM. 

“These two decisive actions today indicate that additional debate, dialogue and fact finding on country-of-origin labeling will continue,” says Dierlam. “After all the listening sessions and innuendo, we can finally bring this debate to Congress. The long-term implications of mandatory labeling are too important to be considered anywhere else.”

NCBA considers this opportunity for hearings and the actions taken by Chairman Bonilla as an opportunity for producers to address concerns that exist with the law, and work to discern to true implications and future implementation of the law, Dierlam says. 

“We commend Chairman Bonilla for his willingness to address this head on,” explains Dierlam.  “Frustration abounds on all sides of the country of origin labeling issue.  These new actions will help producers, USDA, policymakers and the public come to some resolution without putting the financial future of producers at risk.”