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10/24/2005 U.S. Senate Must Prevail to Keep M-COOL Implementation on Track (Billings, Mont.) – Please attribute the following statement to South Dakota rancher Danni Beer, who chairs the R-CALF USA COOL Committee: “R-CALF USA understands that one of the most
controversial issues expected for discussion during the first meeting of “Agriculture producers across this country strongly support the principle that U.S. consumers have a right to know where their food originates. In addition, in poll after poll, the American people overwhelmingly support the common-sense proposition of implementing M-COOL without delay. Particularly in the era of threats to our food supply from abroad, the American people have a right to know from what country their food originates. Most of our competitors have similar legislation. “The recent start of mandatory fish and seafood labeling proves this can be successfully done. R-CALF is optimistic that on-time implementation of M-COOL will prevail, for we have not only transparency in the marketplace, but also fair competition and consumer choice all on our side. “We thank all our friends on the Senate Ag Appropriations Committee for their leadership in support of M-COOL. Thanks to their efforts, the Senate bill keeps M-COOL on schedule for an implementation date of September 30, 2006. Unfortunately, the House bill delays implementation to 2007. “We hope the Senate will hold firm in its opposition to a delay. For the sake of the American people and their ability to make educated choices about the food they eat, we urge the House to accept the Senate’s position on this important issue. “There is no issue more important to R-CALF members than on-time implementation of M-COOL. Additionally, more than 125 other agricultural groups from across the country agree with us. We urge Congress to stay with producer agriculture and with the American consumer to keep M-COOL in place and on track.”
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