Cattlemen say country-of-origin labels are needed to give consumers the ability to make informed decisions when they buy meat and meat products.  Now there is "limited ability" to identify the products' sources, and that doesn't meet consumer demands, says the National Cattlemen's Beef Association.

"Consumers demand quality and consistency, and producers are continually working to meet consumer demands," said NCBA President George Swan in comments to a House Agriculture Committee subcommittee.  "With the current system, there is limited ability to identify the source of the product that does not meet consumer demands."

In 1998, Swan added, about 14% of the beef purchased by U.S. consumers was imported but sold under the impression that it was U.S. beef.  Beef imports were equal to about 8% of the total U.S. beef production last year; beef produced form imported live cattle was equal to about 4% of production.

A USDA report from a six-month pilot study on the benefits and costs of country-of-origin labeling and the feasibility of rescinding the USDA quality grade for imported meat is due in May.  "We are confident the USDA report will verify our belief that by requiring country-of-origin labeling on beef in the retail meat case," said Swan.

Several bills mandating origin labeling have been introduced in Congress.  Livestock subcommittee Chairman Richard Pombo (R-CA) said his concern was whether or not origin labeling would be "a toll for producers to earn more in the marketplace.  If it is, then I want to know about the methods and cost of compliance and enforcement as well as any potential trade impact."