Dairy Country of Origin Labeling Bill Introduced
October 16, 2009
Source: Ag Web
By Jim Dickrell
Senators Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), Russ Feingold (D-Wis.) and Al Franken (D-Minn.) introduced legislation that would extend mandatory country of origin labeling (COOL) to dairy products.
To date, dairy products have been exempt from the controversial legislation which has already sparked World Trade Organization challenges from Canada.
And, in another bit of irony, dairy imports have actually declined this year. Nevertheless, Brown, Feingold and Franken say their bill protects both U.S. dairy farmers and consumers.
COOL “provides critical information as households decide how to feed their families,” says Brown.
“With the discovery last year of widespread use of melamine in Chinese dairy products, consumers deserve to know whether the milk used to produce the dairy products they buy meets the high safety standards used in the United States,” says Feingold.
“This legislation will help American dairy farmers stand out in a crowded marketplace,” adds Franken. “They need every tool at their disposal to weather the current dairy crisis.”
