Labeling Requirements Must Be Simple And Affordable

Any country-of-origin labeling program for beef must create the greatest benefits possible for U.S. beef producers while minimizing costs to both producers and consumers.  That was one of the messages delivered by the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association Aug. 9 to the U.S. Department of Agriculture as that agency seeks comments on developing the guidelines for a voluntary country-of-origin labeling program.

The 2002 Farm Bill called for a two-year voluntary labeling program prior to beginning mandatory labeling in 2004.  The voluntary provisions that passed as part of the Farm Bill are consistent with NCBA policy.  NCBA will continue to address concerns with mandatory provisions of country-of-origin labeling to ensure that producers receive a benefit without any undue burdens.

“NCBA members are concerned that auditing and verifying the claims made on the country-of-origin label could create costly regulatory burdens,” said Jay Truitt, NCBA executive director of Legislative Affairs.  “USDA’s choices in this matter range from a simple, signed affidavit by producers to the agency implementing an integrated Process Verified Program.  Clearly, the more requirements that producers are forced to meet, the more costly the program becomes.  However USDA chooses to guarantee country-of-origin claims, the verification system must be objective and transparent.”

The country-of-origin labeling issue is more complex for livestock and meat products than it is for fruits and vegetables because of international mobility of livestock.  The statute clearly states the requirements for a U.S. country of origin label - born, raised and slaughtered; however, it does not say how that will be verified nor does it answer how beef produced from animals that move internationally will be labeled. 

“This affects not only Mexican and Canadian feeder cattle, but includes cattle born in the United States, fed in Canada and processed in the United States,” said Truitt.  “USDA also must determine labeling requirements for blended beef products, such as ground beef, that come from more than one country of origin.”

The verification issue is complicated further in that the statute clearly states that the “Secretary shall not use a mandatory identification system to verify the country of origin of a covered commodity.”  Canada has a mandatory identification system for all cattle.  Mexican cattle must be identified before they enter the United States.  “Did the law intend to prohibit using all mandatory ID systems or just prohibit implementing a mandatory ID system for cattle born and raised in the United States?” asked Truitt.

NCBA contends that the least complicated and least costly system is for imported cattle and calves to retain their ID until slaughter. At that time they will be marked to indicate that beef from those cattle does not qualify for the USA label. 

U.S. cattle should be defined as cattle not labeled, branded, tagged, or identified as originating from Mexico or Canada, as they currently are the only sources for imported cattle.  This system will minimize the cost of identification and process verification for U.S. producers and ensure consumers that the beef is from cattle that are exclusively born, raised, and processed in the United States. 

Producer-directed and consumer-focused, the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association is the trade association of America’s cattle farmers and ranchers, and the marketing organization for the largest segment of the nation’s food and fiber industry.