Political Quotes

Bill Bennett: I have come to several conclusions, which I will share with the Senate. No. 1, the bill was very badly written. I don't…

On the recordNovember 6, 2003
I have come to several conclusions, which I will share with the Senate. No. 1, the bill was very badly written. I don't think there is any question about that. The idea of having consumer information with respect to food is a perfectly legitimate idea. It does indeed fit the pattern of consumers, and I have no problem with it. But it is clear, as we get into the details of this, that the bill that originally required it is very badly written. It uses the phrase, for example, 'born, raised, and slaughtered in the United States.' I ask this question: What if you only get two out of three of those? What does that do to you with respect to the piece of beef you are talking about? Suppose it was born in one country, fed in another, and slaughtered in a third? That is not likely, but it is entirely possible. And from which country does it come? You can say it is clearly not American beef if it was born in Canada, fed at feedlots in the U.S, and for some purpose, shipped to Mexico to be slaughtered, packed, and sent back. But what country is its country of origin? If you say it was born in Canada, it is Canadian.…
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Bill Bennett

Editor's note · Context

Discussing issues with country of origin labeling legislation.

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