Washington, D.C. – Wyoming Senators Craig Thomas and Mike Enzi, both R-Wyo., stood up for Wyoming ranchers and consumers today by casting their votes against an agriculture appropriations bill that was laced with language delaying country of origin labeling (COOL) for two more years.
“I’m extremely disappointed that Congress has once again refused to recognize that consumers have a right to know where our food is coming from. At the heart of this decision to derail Country of Origin Labeling is wrong thinking – thinking that represents meat packers concerns and keeps consumers in the dark. Mike and I will continue efforts to implement COOL along with like-minded western senators," Thomas said.
“When is enough, enough? There are members of the House who have it out for American consumers and in for the meat packing industry which opposes labeling. A small label would help consumers make more informed choices about what they eat. That's not something folks on the House side should continually work so hard to oppose,” said Enzi. “My wife and I have raised three children. As a father, I could tell you where the clothes I bought for my children were made. I have to say that I would have rather known more about what I was putting into my growing kids than what I was putting on them."
In October Thomas and Enzi helped the Senate pass its version of the Ag Appropriations bill, the bill the provides funding for the USDA and other related agencies, but when the Senate version of the bill went to a joint Senate-House conference committee to be reconciled with the House version of the legislation, House conferees added the provision delaying implementation of COOL.
It was a deal killer for Thomas, Enzi and other senators who understand the value of labeling and voted against the conference report. Thomas and Enzi said even though the legislation is on its way to the President's desk, they will look for every opportunity to accelerate COOL.
The original COOL law was included in the 2002 Farm bill and mandated that beef, lamb, pork, fruits and vegetables be labeled with their country of origin by U.S. retailers. House opponents of COOL were able to delay COOL beyond September of 2006. Thomas and Enzi co-sponsored a bill, S. 1331, in June that would move up the date of implementation for country of origin labeling from September 2006 to January 2006. The bill has been referred to the Senate Agriculture Committee.
Thomas and Enzi said they will continue to educate their colleagues and others on the benefits of COOL.
“This is a two-fold step for both consumer advocacy and to improve the market share for people in Wyoming who raise outstanding beef,” Thomas said.
"Craig and I have livestock producers in our state, but we also care about Country of Origin Labeling because we are consumers of agricultural products. This issue matters to everyone so everyone should seek to see the big picture," Enzi said. "Artists sign their work. Authors pen their books with pride. American ranchers and farmers want to sign their work too. They want consumers to know that they are proud of what they have produced.”
Thomas and Enzi said producers and consumers of seafood are already enjoying the benefits of COOL and further delays for beef and other products are not warranted. Most U.S. trade partners, including the European Union, require country of origin labeling for food. Virtually every other item a consumer buys in the U.S. indicates a country of origin.
