By Leah Douglas
March 6 (Reuters) – Meat, poultry or eggs labeled as American products must come from animals raised and slaughtered in the United States, under a rule proposed by the Joe Biden administration on Monday, in a victory for ranchers locals who had been pushing for change.
Current labeling rules allow its use for meat from animals born and raised abroad and only processed in the United States, which American farmers and ranchers say hurts domestic producers.
The government and the Department of Agriculture (USDA) pledged to review the “Product of USA” and “Made in USA” labeling standards for meat early last year, in the part of a broader strategy to encourage competition in the economy as a whole and in the highly consolidated meat sector.
“American consumers expect that when they buy a meat product at the supermarket, the claims they see on the label mean what they say,” Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said. in a press release.
Last year, the USDA conducted a consumer survey that found most consumers thought the “Product of USA” label meant the product came from animals born and raised in the United States, according to the agency.
Groups representing farmers and ranchers applauded the announcement.
“If it says ‘Made in the USA’, it must come from cattle that have seen nothing but American soil. Consumers have a right to know where their food comes from, period,” said the president of the United States Cattlemen’s Association in a statement. United Statement, Justin Tupper. The group had asked the USDA to update the origin labeling of the meat.
Meat labeling in the United States has been controversial for years. In 2009, the USDA finalized meat labeling rules that required country-of-origin identification, but the World Trade Organization blocked enforcement of the rule in 2015 after Canada and the United States Mexico filed legal challenges, alleging harm to trade.
The “Product of USA” label will remain voluntary under the USDA’s proposed rule.
(Edited in Spanish by Carlos Serrano)