Byron Dorgan: “This happens to be a steak. I would ask if there is anyone who could tell me where this particular steak came from? The…”

“This happens to be a steak. I would ask if there is anyone who could tell me where this particular steak came from? The answer is no. It is not labeled. Did it come from Canada? You do not know. Did it come from Mexico? You will not know. Guatemala? No. This meat is not labeled. Let me read something about a packing plant in Mexico for the interest of the consumers in this country. In May of 1999, one inspector paid a surprise visit to a meatpacking plant in Mexico. This is what he said he found: ``Shanks and briskets were contaminated with feces . . . diseased-condemned carcass was observed ready for boning and distribution in commerce.'' But then the Mexican officials went to work to restore that plant's ability to sell meat into America. The Mexican plant regained its export license. It switched owners. It changed its name. It sells meat into America. And USDA has never returned. It has never again been inspected. Do you want to know whether this meat came from that plant? I do. The American consumer ought to know. This Omnibus appropriations bill contains something that is pernicious on this issue. We passed a law that is the law of the land that requires food labeling, meat labeling, and the Department of Agriculture will not implement it. This appropriations bill, with no debate and no discussion in the Congress, put a provision in this appropriations bill that says we shall delay, by 2 years, the implementation of this act. Why? Because they want to kill it. Why?…”