Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack says the USDA is starting a top to bottom review of Product of the USA label. Since Mandatory Country of Origin Labeling was repealed foreign beef has been able to use Product of the USA label on their product thus creating confusion for consumers. R-CALF CEO Bill Bullard says he’s glad the USDA is reviewing that issue to make sure Product of the USA is not being misused.
He says what his group wants to come out of that review is for Congress to reintroduce Mandatory Country of Origin Labeling.
Bullard says the environment has changed since the WTO ruled against the U.S. COOL law so the opportunity of getting it reintroduced and then passed is more possible and has a better chance of being upheld.
Secretary Vilsack says he’s committed to ensuring that the Product of the USA Label reflects a plain understanding of what those terms mean to consumers.
