Today, U.S. House Ag Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte of Virginia introduced the Meat Promotion Act, to provide for market-driven country-of-origin labeling of beef and pork products. Bryan Dierlam, executive director of government affairs for the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA), says NCBA strongly favors this approach.   

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Dierlam said that while NCBA has always favored country-of-origin labeling, mandatory labeling has proven to be burdensome to implement, and the cost is ultimately borne by cattlemen.

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He explained that there are many misconceptions regarding the mandatory labeling law that is set to take effect in 2006. Most notably, the law actually exempts most imported beef from labeling because it only applies to retail stores while excluding   foodservice establishments.

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Dierlam said the Meat Promotion Act ultimately offers a more sensible approach to labeling that will promote U.S. beef products while adding value, rather than imposing additional costs to producers.

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