Central South Dakota News

U.S. Senator Mike Rounds has urged Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins to create a framework for reinstating Mandatory Country of Origin Labeling (MCOOL) for beef. In a letter, Rounds emphasized the hard work of American producers and the need for transparency in beef labeling.

"Our American producers work hard every day to produce the highest quality beef in the world," Rounds stated. He argued that foreign governments and multinational meatpacking companies should not control the future of American family ranching.

Rounds highlighted that most American consumers support country of origin labeling for fresh meat. MCOOL was initially part of the 2002 Farm Bill and fully implemented by 2008 but was repealed for beef and pork after challenges from trade partners and the World Trade Organization. Rounds is advocating for a new framework that would avoid similar issues.

In June 2024, Rounds led a nationwide effort to include MCOOL in the Farm Bill, supported by 26 farm and ranch groups and co-signed by Senators Cory Booker, Martin Heinrich, Angus King, Cynthia Lummis, and Jon Tester.

The letter addressed to Secretary Rollins pointed out that since MCOOL's repeal in 2015, Americans have consumed more foreign beef without clear labeling. This situation has disadvantaged U.S. producers and misled consumers.

"For almost a century, U.S. trade law has required the majority of imported products to bear a country of origin label," Rounds wrote. He called on federal agencies to lead efforts in reinstating MCOOL for beef.

Rounds concluded by reiterating his commitment to collaborating with Secretary Rollins on this issue.