[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 30 (Thursday, February 25, 1999)]
[Senate]
[Pages S2038-S2039]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

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                       MEAT LABELING ACT OF 1999

 Mr. FEINGOLD. Mr. President, I rise today to speak on the 
subject of the Meat Labeling Act of 1999. This measure, introduced 
earlier this year by South Dakota Senator, Tim Johnson, would require 
the country-of-origin labeling of beef, lamb, and pork prior to their 
sale at a retail level in the United States.
  This bill will protect the consumers--who right now have no way of 
telling what country their meat is coming from--and come to the aid of 
an industry which has had to face severe competition from foreign 
countries in recent years.
  Mr. President, last year, the U.S. agriculture industry faced 
devastating losses. Bad weather, pest infestation, decreased demand 
stemming from the Asian financial crisis, and increased imports, 
especially from Canada, all contributed to the record low prices in 
nearly every sector.
  In Wisconsin, the hog industry took a big hit as cash prices dropped 
an average of 55%. Incomes were slashed, farms were sold for pennies on 
the dollar, and over 600 producers left the business.
  This year, the Asian crisis continues, as well as the financial 
problems in Russia, in Brazil and other countries. The truth is that 
the market for U.S. agriculture products is bleak and it does not 
appear to be changing anytime soon.
  America's meat producers face not only tough global competition from 
abroad, but a big disadvantage here at home, because their products 
aren't marked ``made in the USA.''
  That means consumers can't distinguish a U.S.-grown pork chop from a 
Mexican one. This raises health and safety concerns, since meat-
handling standards in other countries may not be as stringent as our 
own, and it means that consumers can't choose to put their buying power 
behind American farmers in the check-out aisle.
  Right now the only guidance consumers do have is misleading at best--
since many of us would assume that a steak that carries a USDA 
inspection and grade label is U.S. produced. But in many cases, this 
couldn't be farther from the truth. That steak could be from Mexico, 
Canada, or Nicaragua. And for a variety of reasons, I think 
Wisconsinites want to know if the pork chop they are buying is from 
Marquette or Mexico.
  Recent scares over food imported from foreign countries make this 
issue more important than ever to consumers. Cases of disease and 
numerous

[[Page S2039]]

problems with the quality of some foreign products make it all the more 
vital that we provide our consumers with as much information as 
possible so that they may make informed decisions about the food they 
purchase for themselves and their families.
  Mr. President, this measure is supported by the Administration and 
prominent agriculture groups like the National Farmers Union, the 
American Farm Bureau, and the National Cattlemen's Association to name 
a few. Most importantly, this measure is supported by American 
consumers. In January, a survey conducted by Wirthlin Worldwide showed 
an overwhelming percentage of Americans, 78%, want to know more about 
the origin of the meat they purchase.
  I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this important measure. 
I urge you to give your constituents the right to know more about the 
origin of the food they buy and to allow them the opportunity to make 
choices that support their nation's agriculture industry.

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