Rep. Dusty Johnson (R-SD-At large) has introduced the Beef Origin Labeling Accountability Act to reinstate mandatory country-of-origin labeling (MCOOL) for beef products.
The bill directs the U.S. trade representative and secretary of Agriculture to determine a process to reinstate MCOOL without breaking World Trade Organization rules.
“Consumers don’t know where their beef comes from. It could be South Dakota, Brazil or Canada,” Johnson said in a news release. “U.S. producers raise better beef, and they’re not getting the credit for it. My bill takes a step in the right direction to get accurate labels back on these products to increase consumer confidence in American-made and grown products.”
The legislation would also require the USDA and Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) to report to Congress on their progress in determining trade-compliant MCOOL regulations.
In addition, the bill would direct the USTR to enter discussions with Canada and Mexico to resolve outstanding MCOOL trade disputes.
