The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association has decided its members need more education about the impacts of country-of-origin labelling legislation.
The international markets committee passed a resolution at the NCBA Nashville convention stating the contentious section of the 2002 farm bill needs to be rescinded.
However, the board of directors later decided more education among producers and state cattle organizations was needed, said association spokesperson Walt Bernhardt.
The association has always supported a voluntary labelling program believing the costs of a mandatory labelling system are too high.
“The resolution passed is based upon the growing concerns that have been expressed regarding the implementation of the law,” said an NCBA statement.
The major concerns with the law include the costs, benefits and impact of labelling in terms of tracking, auditing, verification and compliance at every level of the food chain.
Retailers are ultimately responsible to ensure the labels from their suppliers are correct.
Producers also want congressional hearings to further investigate the impacts, and government sponsored public meetings to raise awareness among producers.
