NCBA Supports Country of Origin Labeling, Wants Verification

DENVER, CO – The National Cattleman’s Beef Association (NCBA) last week reaffirmed its policy supporting voluntary country-of-origin labeling (COOL). NCBA’s Executive Committee unanimously approved efforts to work with the USDA’s Food Safety Inspection Service (FSIS) to address the Agency’s longstanding policy on geographic origin statements. Specifically, NCBA is seeking solutions to the labeling requirements and verification procedures in place for beef products labeled as “Product of the U.S.A,” “Made in the U.S.A.,” or similar origin claims, which will resolve the concerns of beef producers, work at the speed of commerce, meet America’s trade obligations and prevent confusion among consumers. For several months, NCBA has been studying origin claims in use on some beef product labels. During the NCBA Summer Business Meeting in July, NCBA leaders formed a producer-led working group to examine the extent of these concerns and the federal regulations governing such practices. Although the working group has not determined whether such practices are occurring on a widespread basis, concerns remain that consumer expectations relative to beef product labels bearing origin claims may not be consistent with FSIS’s current policy. NCBA explains that beef labels with voluntary country-of-origin labeling marketing claims should be verified through the existing USDA framework that is market-based and respects international trade commitments. It is critically important, Colin Woodall CEO of NCBA reiterated, that changes should not trigger retaliatory tariffs from Mexico or Canada that have already been approved by the World Trade Organization (WTO).