Web posted Thursday, June 12, 2003

Johnson, Daschle Renew Call For Meat Labeling

SIOUX FALLS (AP) -- Democratic Sens. Tim Johnson and Tom Daschle renewed a call on Wednesday for mandatory country of origin labels on beef.

The lawmakers have asked U.S. Agriculture Secretary Ann Veneman to implement a mandatory labeling system before lifting a ban on imports of beef and cattle that came after the discovery of mad cow disease in Canada.

The federal government has issued guidelines for a voluntary labeling system that is to last while a mandatory system is developed.

ŒŒLabeling is not a food-safety issue,'' Johnson told South Dakota reporters in a conference call on Wednesday.

ŒŒBut labeling will inform consumers about the origins of their food and for many consumers this will be an issue of confidence in the quality and safety of foods they feed their family.''

The bans have been in place since the mad cow case was announced May 20. The United States buys more than 70 percent of Canada's cattle exports.

Johnson praised the USDA for freezing imports in response to the mad cow case. But he said cattle and beef from Canada should not be allowed back into U.S. markets until country of origin labeling is in place.

Daschle said the USDA should take a measured approach to lifting the moratorium on Canadian beef.

He also said country of origin labeling ŒŒwill serve as another important tool to add to our country's comprehensive food safety regime.''