Livestock Groups Urge Congress to Restore Meat Labeling Requirements

A group of livestock organizations is pushing for Congress to reinstate mandatory country of origin labeling (COOL) requirements in the upcoming farm bill. The labels would require all meat products to include information about where the livestock was born, raised, and processed.

The previous COOL requirement was introduced in 2009, but it was repealed in 2015 after a World Trade Organization ruling allowed Canada and Mexico to impose tariffs on the US unless the requirement was removed. The livestock groups argue that mandatory labeling would help consumers better understand the origin of their meat and promote fair competition in the industry.

Tim Gibbons, communication director for the Missouri Rural Crisis Center, believes that mandatory labeling would also address the concentration of the meat industry, where four companies control 85% of the beef processing industry. “Country of origin labeling is a first step in ensuring competition in markets,” he said.

However, some industry experts argue that the costs of mandatory labeling outweigh the benefits. Derrell Peel, a livestock marketing specialist at Oklahoma State University Extension, said that the requirement would involve significant costs for feedlot operators, packers, and retailers to maintain records and sort products.

A 2017 Consumer Federation of America survey found that most consumers support more detailed information about the origin of meat on packaging. However, Peel believes that other factors, such as price and quality, have a greater impact on consumer purchasing decisions.

The Kansas Livestock Association supports a voluntary labeling policy, which allows producers to market their products as “Made in USA” without requiring everyone to bear the costs. Matt Teagarden, CEO of the association, said that producers may also turn to a “farm-to-table” concept or market their meat as local to their state or region.

A group of US senators has introduced the American Beef Labeling Act, which aims to reinstate mandatory labeling. US Sen. Mike Rounds, R-SD, is working to add mandatory labeling to the Senate version of the farm bill. The current farm bill is set to expire in September.

The livestock groups’ push for mandatory labeling is part of a broader effort to promote transparency and fairness in the meat industry. As the farm bill is debated, the issue is likely to be a topic of discussion among lawmakers and industry stakeholders.