Mad cow case reinvigorates origin labeling drive for ag products

Mad cow case reinvigorates origin labeling drive for ag products    The recent case of an imported cow infected with bovine spongiform encepthalopathy, or “mad cow” disease, may speed up the implementation of a new origin labeling rule for meats and produce sold in the United States.
   The 2002 Farm Security and Rural Investment Act requires the U.S. Department of Agriculture to impose origin labeling regulations for beef, lamb, pork, fish, shellfish, perishable agricultural commodities and peanuts by Oct. 1.
   Congressional leaders, however, agreed in a conference report Nov. 25 to delay the implementation of the country of origin labeling (COOL) for meats and produce, excluding fish, until Oct. 1, 2006. The origin labeling delay language was included in an $820 billion omnibus appropriations bill passed by the House of Representatives on Dec. 8.
   Prior to the mad cow case, announced on Dec. 23, the Senate appeared poised to pass the same origin labeling delay, but that support has started to wane.
   “I hope that one positive effect of this most unfortunate situation with mad cow disease will be that those who have opposed the labeling law will rethink their position and provide consumers with the informational tool they need and deserve,” said Senate Minority Leader Tom Daschle, D-S.D., in a recent statement. Daschle reportedly plans to step up pressure on the Bush administration to demand on-time implementation of the origin labeling rule.
   Numerous trade organizations, such as the United Fresh Fruit & Vegetable Association and National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, supported the origin labeling rollout delay, citing in recent testimony the enormous cost and disruption to their businesses to meet the mandate.
   However, not all agricultural groups agree. The American Farm Bureau supports the original origin labeling implementation date. “Congress has the opportunity to do the right thing for all Americans by continuing funding and program implementation for COOL in their fiscal year ’04 bill,” Bob Stallman, president of the American Farm Bureau, in a statement.