GAO Asked To Step In Where USDA Hasn't Led

July 28,1999

The General Accounting Office has been asked to provide cost-benefit information on country of origin meat labeling. USDA is mandated legally to report on the issue, but three months have passed since the due date for the report.

The omnibus appropriations bill approved by Congress last fall called for GAO and USDA to prepare and submit reports on costs and benefits of mandatory country of origin labeling for fruits and vegetables, and meat respectively. Both reports were to be submitted to Congress by April 21, and GAO complied with the deadline.

"It is now over three months beyond the statutory deadline, and we still have not seen the report," Rep. Richard Pombo (R-CA) says. Pombo is chairman of the House agriculture livestock subcommittee. "Also, (USDA) is either unwilling or unable to provide a reliable estimate regarding the completion of their report. Finally there are indications that subsequent rewriting has significantly undermined the views of the Food Safety and Inspection Service. This perception may damage the final product's credibility with the public."

Pombo added, "We still have no reasonable unbiased study of the potential costs and benefits if mandatory country of origin labeling were imposed for beef and lamb products. While some are willing to proceed without a sound cost-benefit analysis, my own view is that would be irresponsible."