Rounds Asks Agriculture Secretary to Promote Mandatory Country of Origin Labeling

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) today sent a letter to U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins asking her to develop a framework for reinstating Mandatory Country of Origin Labeling (MCOOL) for beef.

“Our American producers work hard every day to produce the highest quality beef in the world,” Rounds wrote. “They battle the wind, the rain, the snow and the sun. Foreign governments and multinational meatpacking companies should not determine the fate of the American family ranching system.”

A majority of American consumers support requiring country of origin labeling for fresh meat. Retail-level MCOOL for fresh fruits, vegetables, beef, pork, lamb and seafood passed as part of the 2002 Farm Bill and was implemented fully in 2008. After a number of challenges from trade partners and the World Trade Organization, Congress repealed MCOOL requirements for beef and pork. Rounds is asking Secretary Rollins to develop a framework with U.S. trade officials to develop a framework that would not face similar challenges from trading partners.

Rounds has been a leader in the push to reinstate MCOOL for beef. Most recently, Rounds launched a nationwide effort in June 2024 to support American farmers and ranchers by getting MCOOL included in the Farm Bill. This effort was endorsed by 26 farm and ranch groups from across the country. The effort was also co-signed by Senators Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Angus King (I-Maine), Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.) and Jon Tester (D-Mont.).

Read the full text of the letter HERE or below.

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Dear Secretary Rollins,

For decades, American cattlemen have produced the highest-quality beef in the world. This has created strong demand for American beef not only in domestic markets, but also across the globe.

Since the repeal of Mandatory Country of Origin Labeling (MCOOL) in 2015, Americans have consumed increasing amounts of foreign beef. Moreover, many Americans are unknowingly buying beef without transparent or reliable country-of-origin information. This practice has not only disadvantaged American producers, but also misled consumers.

Following the repeal, both producers and consumers called for the reinstatement of MCOOL. In response, a handful of transnational meatpacking companies lobbied policymakers to preserve the current labeling system. At the same time, these companies have increased beef imports into the United States. This is a system that is neither fair nor sustainable.

For almost a century, U.S. trade law has required the majority of imported products to bear a country of origin label. There is no reason why this same level of transparency should not exist within our beef labeling system.

While Congress is prepared to address MCOOL as part of the upcoming Farm Bill, federal agencies must also play a leadership role. We urge you to work with U.S. trade officials to develop a feasible framework for reinstating MCOOL for beef and to examine the deceptive practices currently distorting our beef markets.

Our American producers work hard every day to produce the highest quality beef in the world. They battle the wind, the rain, the snow and the sun. Foreign governments and multinational meatpacking companies should not determine the fate of the American family ranching system.

Thank you for your consideration. We look forward to collaborating with you on this issue.

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