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Agriculture Committee Discusses
Labeling Legislation
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July 30, 2004
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Since the signing of the 2002 Farm Bill, concerns have arisen from
food and retail industry officials concerning the issue of Country of Origin
Labeling. I, like them, am frustrated with the United States Department
of Agriculture’s (USDA) lack of communication with industry officials concerning
a program that is less than three months from implementation. Last
week, my seat on the Agriculture Committee allowed me to express my concerns
to my fellow Members of Congress and USDA officials.
Mandatory Country of Origin Labeling becomes effective in September
of this year as a result of language included in the 2002 Farm Bill.
However, The Agriculture Committee bill passed last week would amend the
farm bill to make country of origin labeling voluntary.
Since the mandatory language passed back in 2002, we have learned from
the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and others that implementation
by the deadline would be very difficult for many reasons that were not
considered at the time of passage. However, it would not be difficult
to include farm raised catfish as mandatory since most farmers raise the
fish from the time they are hatched until the time they are processed.
Because of this, I offered an amendment that would have left farm raised
catfish mandatory and included a verification process to be implemented
by USDA. I am cautiously optimistic my language that would benefit
our catfish farmers will be included in the text of the final bill.
As your United States Representative, I will continue to work with
committee members and USDA officials in an effort to meet the needs from
all aspects of the food and retail industry. |
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