David Thomas: “I rise to speak on country-of-origin myths versus facts. No. 1, Myth: U.S. consumers do not care about country-of-origin…”

“I rise to speak on country-of-origin myths versus facts. No. 1, Myth: U.S. consumers do not care about country-of-origin labeling. Facts: That is not what people in Wyoming and national surveys indicate. Consumers overwhelmingly support labeling because it provides product information, increased consumer choice and the chance to support American agriculture. Two, of the largest consumer groups in the United States, Consumer Federation of America and the National Consumers League, strongly support mandatory COOL. No. 2, Myth: Country-of-origin labeling violates our international trade agreement commitments. Facts: Country-of-origin labeling law does not violate international trading agreements. Marking products is allowed by international trading rules. Under Article IX of GATT, countries can require marks of origin on imported products. Many nations already require country-of-origin labeling on a variety of food products. A recent GAO study found that 48 of our 57 top trading partners require labeling for at least one of the commodities covered by COOL and 41 require labeling of meat at retail. No. 3, Myth: The cost of compliance with the country-of-origin labeling law will be extravagant in the first year and will increase consumer food costs. Facts: The USDA incorrectly assumed that new record keeping system requirements would meet to be established and implemented. The Majority of producers already keep records that can provide the required information.”