David Obey: “This issue is here for one very simple reason: because Tyson's chicken company and a number of others like them want to…”

“This issue is here for one very simple reason: because Tyson's chicken company and a number of others like them want to sell what is in essence frozen products and label them fresh, and earn extra money because they can charge the fresh rather than the frozen price. That is why this issue is here. They got their friends in the Senate to swallow it and push it down our throats. Shoppers, I think, know the difference between fresh and frozen. It seems to me it is time that Congress learned that, too. Chickens hard enough to hammer nails are not fresh. They should not be labeled as being fresh. I believe in legitimate labeling of agricultural products, whether they are chickens or whether they are BGH-laced milk. I want that label to show what the consumer is buying. My farmers do, too. I certainly know my consumers do. The issue here is very simple. If you think that the consumer ought to know that they are not buying fresh chicken when they purchase chicken that is frozen down to 1 degree, then vote for my motion to recommit.”