Rounds Introduces Legislation to Permanently Protect “Product of USA” Label for Meat Products
Legislation would codify a 2024 rule from USDA
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) today reintroduced the USA Beef Act, legislation to limit the use of the “Product of USA” label only to beef products that are born, raised and slaughtered in the United States. The legislation would also codify the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) rule addressing the same issue.
In March 2023, USDA proposed a rule which requires that the “Product of USA” or “Made in the USA” labels can only be applied to meat, poultry and egg products that are born, raised, slaughtered and processed in the United States. It doesn’t mandate a U.S.-origin label, but rather creates a voluntary opportunity to claim the label on products if requirements are met. This rule was finalized in March 2024 and went into effect in May 2024, with all producers required to comply by the start of 2026.
Because this is a rule issued by an executive agency, it can be revoked at any time by future administrations. Rounds’ legislation would permanently protect this rule by putting it into law.
“We applaud the USDA taking action to restore integrity to the “Product of USA” label on meat, poultry and egg products,” said Rounds. “This has been a big step forward in consumer transparency and gives our American ranchers the upper hand to compete with lower quality foreign beef that used to falsely bear the same label. My legislation would make these changes permanent and make certain that the rule stays in place for years to come. While this rule is a win, our next priority is delivering Mandatory Country of Origin Labeling (MCOOL) for American producers and consumers.”
BACKGROUND:
Rounds has been a leader in the push to restore integrity to the “Product of USA” labels. Rounds hosted a roundtable discussion on beef labeling in June 2021. Following the roundtable, he first introduced the USA Beef act in August 2021 in the 117th Congress.
Rounds has also been a strong supporter of MCOOL. In 2024, Rounds launched a nationwide effort 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. Most recently, Rounds sent a letter to USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins asking her to establish a framework to reinstate MCOOL.
Click HERE to read full bill text.
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