Thune, Rounds set to propose bipartisan bill reinstating mandatory country-of-origin beef labels

U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-SD) and Mike Rounds (R-SD) on Wednesday announced that a bipartisan bill will be introduced next week that would reinstate mandatory country of origin labeling (MCOOL) for beef.

“It’s time to restore MCOOL once and for all,” Sen. Rounds said. “This is an important step in restoring market integrity for consumers and cattle producers. For too long, the packers have skewed this market in their favor. Now, we take it back.”

The American Beef Labeling Act of 2021, which the Republicans plan to unveil with U.S. Sens. Jon Tester (D-MT) and Cory Booker (D-NJ), would amend the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946 to establish country-of-origin labeling requirements for beef, according to the text of the forthcoming bill.

“Transparency in labeling benefits both producers and consumers,” said Sen. Thune. “Unfortunately, the current beef labeling system in this country allows imported beef that is neither born nor raised in the United States, but simply finished here, to be labeled as a product of the USA. This process is unfair to cattle producers and misleading for consumers. When you see a ‘product of the USA’ label on the grocery store shelf, it should mean just that.”

Specifically, the bill would require the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR), in consultation with the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, to develop a World Trade Organization-compliant means of reinstating MCOOL for beef within one year of enactment. The USTR would have six months to develop a reinstatement plan followed by a six-month window to implement it. If the USTR failed to reinstate MCOOL for beef within one year of enactment, it would automatically be reinstated for beef only, according to a bill summary provided by the lawmakers. 

“I’m thankful to my colleagues for helping carry this important issue for consumers and cattle producers,” said Sen. Rounds. “I’ve long said that consumers will need to drive and help carry this policy debate. For those of us who support MCOOL for beef, this is just the start.”

“The nine major cattle producing states won’t get this done alone,” he added. “We need a national campaign to see this over the finish line.”

The South Dakota Stockgrowers Association, R-CALF USA, the U.S. Cattlemen’s Association, and the National Farmers Union support the bill.