NCBA Supports Voluntary Country-of-Origin Labeling

Washington, D.C. (September 26, 2002) – Contrary to inaccurate reports circulating among the Canadian media, NCBA supports Country-of-Origin (COL) labeling and is not trying to kill the COL proposal. 

“Our members and staff have spent years analyzing and discussing this controversial issue. There is not just one easy solution. There is no ‘silver bullet’ here,” says Wythe Willey, Iowa cattle producer and NCBA President.  “But it is current NCBA policy to support voluntary COL meat labeling.”

NCBA upholds that voluntary labeling of USA beef would be a preferable market-driven approach as opposed to mandatory labeling.  “Voluntary labeling would be less disruptive in the market place and more efficient for the producing, retail and foodservice sectors of the beef industry,” says Willey.  “Mandatory labeling of our products could cause serious financial burdens at a time when market conditions are already troubling. The more requirements that producers are forced to meet, the more costly the program becomes for producers and consumers alike.”

NCBA’s Chief Economist Chuck Lambert cited logistical concerns with a mandatory program.  “Some livestock are born and spend part of their lives in one country, but then may be fed or processed in another country.  How will they be labeled?,” Lambert asks.  “The COL issue is more complex for livestock and meat products than it is for fruits and vegetables, because of international mobility of livestock and meat products.”

NCBA is eagerly awaiting the USDA guidelines due to be published on September 30 to see how these complex questions might be resolved.  “NCBA is on the front lines in Washington DC and we will continue to work with the USDA to assure that the proposed system for COL is developed in the best interests of our hard-working, dedicated cattle producers,” says Willey.

###