Urges the United States Congress to reinstate mandatory country of origin
Impact
SCR36 highlights the significant changes that occurred in 2015, when Congress repealed mandatory COOL for beef and pork, removing the requirement for meat products from foreign livestock to be labeled differently from domestic products. This action has been perceived as eroding the competitive edge of American meat producers, and now, SCR36 seeks to lobby Congress to restore those labeling requirements. The resolution also underscores the economic and safety implications of providing accurate information to consumers, arguing that American standards are among the highest in the world.
Summary
Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 36 (SCR36) is a legislative measure that expresses support for the reinstatement of mandatory country of origin labeling (COOL) for meat products in the United States. The resolution emphasizes the importance of allowing consumers to know the origins of their food, promoting transparency in the marketplace. This is grounded in the belief that American farmers and ranchers produce high-quality meat and that consumers should have the right to purchase domestically-sourced products without confusion regarding their origins.
Contention
The resolution points out that consumers have shown overwhelming support for country of origin labeling, with many advocating for their right to make informed choices about the food they purchase. The measure indicates a broader discontent with misleading labeling practices that allow foreign products to be labeled as 'Product of the USA' when they do not originate from American livestock. This point of contention reflects growing concerns about transparency and the implications of foreign imports on local agricultural markets.
Further_details
SCR36 represents a strong stance from the Missouri General Assembly in favor of promoting American agricultural interests and consumer rights. By urging the reinstatement of COOL, the resolution aims to facilitate a clearer distinction between domestic and imported meat products, enhancing consumer awareness and supporting American farmers, ranchers, and meat packers in their efforts to provide safe and transparent products.
Urging the New Hampshire congressional delegation to sponsor legislation relative to, and urging the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) to adopt regulations, allowing for small scale and very small slaughter plants to use the Federal Meat Inspection Acts Custom Exempt meat processing inspection criteria with a third-party inspector present at slaughter, so that processed beef, pork, lamb, and chevron (goat meat) can be sold as individual cuts directly from the farm producer to the end consumer.