A
two-year delay in the effective date of mandatory country-of-origin
labeling at retail will provide a window of opportunity for the
fresh produce industry to create a better voluntary labeling system
in its place, produce industry leaders said Jan. 22.
That attempt could be fraught with challenges, but officials with
the two biggest fresh produce industry trade associations said avoiding
the inefficient and costly mandatory labeling law is a must.
The U.S. Senate on Jan. 22 passed the omnibus appropriations bill
65-28. The measure contains a provision that delays enforcement
of the controversial country-of-origin labeling law for two years,
until Sept. 30, 2006.
Tom Stenzel, president of the United Fresh Fruit & Vegetable
Association, Washington D.C., said the occasion was a day of celebration
and a day of commitment to build a more efficient, voluntary version
of origin labeling.
On Jan. 16, associations for the nation’s produce, beef,
pork and seafood producers, along with food retailers and wholesalers,
agreed to construct a program to provide consumers country of origin
information about these products. The group includes:
• United
• National Cattlemen’s Beef Association
• National Pork Producers Council
• National Fisheries Institute
• Food Marketing Institute
• National Grocers Association
Stenzel said United will work this winter and spring with other
food industry and produce industry associations to develop an alternative
labeling program that can be taken to Congress and be put in place
of the mandatory law.
“We want to provide that information to consumers as quickly
as we can get something put together,” he said.
Citing a U.S. Department of Agriculture estimate, Stenzel said
delaying enforcement of the law could save the produce industry
$1.3 billion in the first year alone.
Kathy Means, vice president of the Produce Marketing Association,
Newark, Del., agreed the delay will give the food industry time
to create a voluntary program so Congress can feel comfortable to
repeal the law.
Means said she believes the effort to repeal the mandatory law
and the work to provide an alternative can happen concurrently.
She said she hopes the election 2004 will not be a hindrance.
The National Farmer’s Union drove most of the 11th-hour opposition
to the two-year delay to the mandatory country-of-origin law.
Laura Johnston, communication director for the National Farmer’s
Union, Washington D.C., said the group’s effort to preserve
the Sept. 30 date for mandatory country-of-origin labeling would
continue, despite passage of the omnibus appropriations bill.
“We want to see it enacted as the intent of Congress was
when they passed it in the 2002 farm bill,” she said.
