WASHINGTON, May 6, 2003 - The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) held an information session Tuesday in Kansas City, Missouri to gain more public input and provide interested parties more information about the new Country of Origin Labeling law contained in the 2002 Farm Bill.

"If sweat shop mass produced low-cost shoddy clothing requires a label designating country of origin to enter our country, surely food consumed by our children and families should require no less," said Bill Christison. Christison, a National Family Farm Coalition farmer leader from Chillicothe, Missouri testified before the informational session panel. "The implementation of the Country of Origin Labeling law could be as extensive as we allow it to be," said Christison, "but the security of the consumers in the US could be assured with a very modest cost."

The 2002 Farm Bill requires the Secretary of Agriculture [Ann Veneman] to implement a mandatory country of origin labeling program at the final point of retail sale for beef, lamb, pork, fish, shellfish, perishable agricultural commodities, and peanuts by September 30, 2004.

USDA estimated the cost of record-keeping by farmers, ranchers, food processors and retailers needed for this program at $2 billion. In Florida, which has required country of origin labeling for fruits and vegetables for years, the program costs $5 to $10 per store per week-less than one-tenth the cost per store estimated by USDA.

"Consumers have a right to know where their food comes from, and farmers and ranchers want to meet U.S. consumers' preference for food raised in the U.S.," said Mabel Dobbs, a rancher from Weiser, Idaho who chairs Western Organization of Resource Councils' Livestock Committee. "The United States Department of Agriculture is trying to undermine the new country of origin labeling program by scaring consumers with inflated cost estimates. These numbers are so imaginary they would embarrass Enron's accountants."