SDSGA & Guy E. Ham Beef Industry Scholarships
Last updated:
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Country of Origin Labeling Program
Agricultural Marketing Service
USDA Stop 0249
Room 2092-S
1400 Independence Avenue, S.W.
Washington, D.C. 20250-0249
Via E-Mail: cool@usda.gov and Facsimile: 202-720-3499
February 27, 2004
Re: Docket No. LS-03-04, Proposed Rule: Mandatory Country of Origin Labeling of Beef, Lamb, Pork, Fish, Perishable Agricultural Commodities, and Peanuts
Dear Sir or Madam,
Background:
The South Dakota Stockgrowers Association appreciates the opportunity to provide meaningful input regarding mandatory Country of Origin Labeling.
The South Dakota Stockgrowers Association is an organization of 1450 members, primarily cow-calf producers operating family ranches.
The South Dakota Stockgrowers Association is committed to representing the needs of individual cattle producers in regard to animal health, trade, marketing and environmental issues.
Comments:
Members of the South Dakota Stockgrowers Association adamantly and overwhelmingly support mandatory Country of Origin Labeling. We believe that in today’s customer-driven global market, we must have the ability to differentiate our product in order to compete for the consumers’ dollar.
In order for Country of Origin Labeling to be the least burdensome, least cost to producers, feeders, processors and retailers, USDA should require all imported meat and livestock to bear a permanent mark of origin. This would identify everything that is not from the United States, and by default would identify everything that is born, raised and slaughtered in the United States.
In order to resume our export market to Asia, and provide our own consumers the tools needed to make informed purchasing decisions, USDA should immediately implement mandatory Country of Origin Labeling. To ignore the requests of Japan and Korea, two of our biggest customers, is economically irresponsible. To ignore the American consumers’ demands for Country of Origin Labeling information is shameful. Over 50 million Americans, represented by the Americans for Country of Origin Labeling Coalition, have shown strong support for Country of Origin Labeling time and again.
The South Dakota Stockgrowers Association strongly supports Country of Origin Labeling. We are proud of the product we raise and deserve the opportunity to prove its value against beef from across the globe.
The South Dakota Stockgrowers Association endorses the comments made by R-CALF USA, our national affiliate.
Sincerely,
Ken Knuppe
President
South Dakota Stockgrowers Association