Sens. John Hoeven (R-ND) and Ben Ray Lujбn (D-NM) have joined a trio of senators in co-sponsoring the American Beef Labeling Act of 2021, which would reinstate mandatory country-of-origin labeling (MCOOL) for beef.
Sens. John Thune (R-SD), Jon Tester (D-MT), Mike Rounds (R-SD) and Cory Booker (D-NJ) introduced the bill in September.
If passed, the measure would direct the U.S. trade representative and secretary of Agriculture to determine how to reinstate beef into the current MCOOL law in a way that complies with the World Trade Organization rules. If this is not achieved within 12 months of the legislation’s enactment, MCOOL for beef will go into effect on its one-year anniversary date.
Ranchers-Cattlemen Action Legal Fund, United Stockgrowers of America (R-CALF USA) applauded the senators joining the measure.
“We believe this common-sense legislation that informs consumers as to the origins of the beef they purchase is vitally important to American consumers, farmers and ranchers, and workers, and we look forward to its eventual passage by Congress,” said R-CALF CEO Bill Bullard.
