Regulations On Food Production

Written By Penny Ronning

Regulations on food production and the safety surrounding how food is produced and manufactured differs from country to country. Americans have the right to know from which country the food they are purchasing comes. Mandatory Country of Origin Labeling (M-COOL) became law in the 2002 Farm Bill and then was amended to include more food products in the 2008 Farm Bill. However, in 2011, the World Trade Organization (WTO) concluded some features of U.S. M-COOL discriminated against foreign livestock. After years of discussion and arbitration with Canada and Mexico, the United States Congress repealed M-COOL for beef and pork. Since then, Americans have not been provided knowledge from what country the beef they are buying comes. This not only denies Americans the right to know where their food comes from, but also unfairly serves American food producers in the competitive market place. The American Beef Labeling Act addresses this issue regarding beef. 

Currently, 10 United States Senators (5 Democrats, 5 Republicans) representing states known for their agriculture are co-sponsoring the American Beef Labeling Act. This bill reinstates M-COOL for beef. 

If you are a resident of Montana, please call Sentator Steve Daines to request he co-sponsor this critically important bill. 

His office numbers are: 

  • Billings: (406) 245-6822

  • Bozeman: (406) 587-3446

  • Great Falls: (406) 453-0148

  • Helena: (406) 443-3189

  • Kalispell: (406) 257-3765

  • Missoula: (406) 549-8198

  • Sidney: (406) 482-9010

  • Senators sponsoring this bill are: 

  • Sen. Thune, John (R-SD) - Sponsor

  • Sen. Tester, Jon [D-MT] - original Co-Sponsor

  • Sen. Rounds, Mike [R-SD] - original Co-Sponsor

  • Sen. Booker, Cory A. [D-NJ] - original Co-Sponsor

  • Sen. Hoeven, John [R-ND] 

  • Sen. Lujan, Ben Ray [D-NM] 

  • Sen. Lummis, Cynthia M. [R-WY] 

  • Sen. Heinrich, Martin [D-NM] 

  • Sen. Barrasso, John [R-WY] 

  • Sen. Gillibrand, Kirsten E. [D-NY]

If you live outside of MT and do not see your U.S. Senator listed as a Co-Sponsor, you can find contact information for your Senators here: https://www.senate.gov/senators/

Thank you!


Penny Ronning
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