Hoeven Joins Legislation to Reinstate Mandatory Country of Origin Labeling for Beef

WASHINGTON – Senator John Hoeven this week helped introduce the American Beef Labeling Act, legislation sponsored by Senators John Thune (R-S.D.) and Cory Booker (D-N.J.) to reinstate mandatory country of origin labeling (MCOOL) for beef:
“U.S. ranchers produce the highest-quality beef in the world, and consumers deserve to know the source of the product they are purchasing,” said Hoeven. “By requiring the U.S. Trade Representative to reinstate mandatory country of origin labels for beef, with timelines to ensure compliance, our legislation will benefit both U.S. producers and consumers.”
“South Dakota ranchers – who work tirelessly to produce some of the highest quality beef in the world – deserve a fair labeling system that provides consumers with basic information on the origin of their beef,” said Thune. “As a longtime supporter of MCOOL, I’m proud to reintroduce this legislation that would promote the viability of cattle ranching across our country and provide full transparency for American consumers.”
“This bipartisan legislation will help Americans know exactly where their beef is coming from,” said Booker. “For too long, the big meatpackers have been misleading people with deceptive labeling. More transparency will enable consumers to support local family farmers and ranchers, and I look forward to working with Senator Thune to get this bill enacted into law as quickly as possible.”
In addition to Hoeven, Thune and Booker, the legislation is cosponsored by Senators Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.) and John Fetterman (D-Pa.).

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