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S.D. stockgrowers say keep COOL mandatory
South Dakota
South Dakota Stockgrowers Association Vice President Rick Fox, Hermosa, S.D., says the Stockgrowers do not intend to allow a repeal of the Mandatory Country of Origin Labeling (COOL) law in this "lame duck" congressional session. He says the Stockgrowers joined 94 other ag and consumer organizations across the country in a letter to congressional leaders, urging strict opposition to any attempt to derail COOL.
"Leaders in the House are threatening to attach a voluntary COOL bill to the omnibus appropriations package, to replace the mandatory COOL law in the farm bill. Voluntary Country of Origin Labeling has been in place for years. Another voluntary labeling law will do nothing to help the consumer or the producer, but will, in effect kill COOL altogether," Fox says.
"Without the needed enforcement that a mandatory law provides, retailers will continue to refuse to identify foreign born and processed meat." Fox goes on to ask the question, "Why would a grocery store choose to admit that they're selling you a package of hamburger or steaks from cattle born, raised and processed in Mexico or Canada? A lot of consumers are under the impression that our border with Canada is closed, but the truth is, the U.S. is importing more beef from Canada now than ever in history." Members of the Stockgrowers, their national affiliate R-CALF USA, and other state cattle organizations, remain in constant contact with congressional leaders, says Fox. "Anybody in Washington who hoped to slip this in undetected now realizes they've got a fight on their hands."
Fox says that consumers deserve to make informed decisions about the country that produced their food, just as they can on almost everything from textiles to tools. "I'm a consumer myself, we all are, and I don't feel comfortable buying groceries without knowing whether or not they were grown in a country with adequate health and safety standards. We know the U.S. holds producers, processors and retailers to the highest health standards, so why not give consumers the option of choosing U.S. - produced food?"
Fox credits South Dakota's congressional delegation for ensuring the passage of mandatory COOL and appreciates their persistence on the issue. "Senator Daschle and Senator Johnson deserve a big "thank you" for the passage of mandatory COOL, and they, along with Congresswoman Herseth have re-iterated their staunch support in light of this week's wave of opposition."
Senator-elect John Thune, too, is battling for South Dakota producers. "Mandatory Country of Origin Labeling is a priority to me because it is a priority to the cattle industry of South Dakota," said Thune in a telephone interview. "I am in contact daily with my soon-to-be colleagues in Washington, urging them to resist efforts to make the law voluntary."
According to Fox, John Thune told the Stockgrowers during his campaign, "I was very disappointed when, after I left Congress, mandatory labeling was delayed two years." He went on to say, "As South Dakota's Senator, I will renew the fight for mandatory labeling."
"We are fortunate that Thune is willing to put his heart into this issue that South Dakota overwhelmingly wants and needs," said Fox. "He promised us that he can and will communicate South Dakota's needs to the White House and to Republican leaders. We are confident that he is in contact with House and Senate leaders, vocalizing South Dakota's opposition to their efforts to replace the mandatory law with a voluntary one."
Date: 11/23/04
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