Mike Enzi: “I am going to keep the litany going on country-of-origin labeling because I am upset, too. I want to speak in opposition…”

“I am going to keep the litany going on country-of-origin labeling because I am upset, too. I want to speak in opposition to that specific provision in the conference report, H.R. 2744, which is the Agriculture appropriations bill for fiscal year 2006. The report before the Senate includes an additional 2-year delay-- until September 30, 2008--for the implementation of mandatory country- of-origin labeling for covered commodities, except for fish. Fish was taken care of earlier. I am highly frustrated that implementation funding has been stripped because this is not the first time the conference committee has traveled beyond the scope of its conference. The House bill stripped funding for implementation of country-of-origin labeling for meat and meat products for fiscal year 2006. The Senate bill did not include a delay. However, the conference result is a new 2-year delay that will keep consumers in the dark about the origin of their food. Mandatory country-of-origin labeling was included in the 2002 farm bill, yet consumers and producers, except those that catch, raise, or eat fish, will not see any benefit from country-of-origin labeling before the next farm bill is written. The opponents of labeling claim it will cost too much to implement. If we do not provide any funding for implementation, they will be right because any cost would be too high. I have heard the concerns of those who have responsibilities under the law, but those concerns can be addressed.…”