Date:  November 21, 2005
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Chase Carter, Executive Director 402.817.4443

Lincoln, NE ~ The Organization for Competitive Markets (OCM) today expressed strong support for Senator Tim Johnson’s (D-SD) "Truth in Quality Grading Act of 2005".

The proposed legislation will amend the Federal Meat Inspection Act to prohibit imported beef and lamb from being graded and stamped with the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s grade stamp. The measure clarifies that U.S. beef and lamb does not include beef or lamb produced from cattle or sheep imported into the U.S.

"Importers continue to take advantage of the USDA quality grade as an important marketing tool," said Keith Mudd, OCM President. "This legislation will appropriately restrict use of the USDA grade stamp for beef and lamb produced in the U.S. Too often consumers mistakenly assume the USDA grade stamp indicates a domestic product. This is often not the case. If this legislation is passed, consumers will know the USDA grade stamp means a U.S. product, which is another method to increase and enhance consumer confidence."

According to USDA statistics, grading costs for beef are roughly 38 cents per carcass or one-twentieth of a cent per pound.

"OCM is committed to the immediate implementation of country of origin labeling," noted Mudd. "However, restricting use of the USDA grade stamp is yet another low-cost method of providing as much information to consumers as possible at the point of sale. The USDA grade stamp is, in effect, our national ‘brand’. U.S. cattle and sheep producers have worked hard for more than a century to achieve the gold standard in producing the safest, most nutritious product in the world. It’s only right that the USDA grade stamp be reserved for American grown beef and lamb."

The Organization for Competitive Markets is an agricultural free market and competition think tank working for honesty, prosperity and economic liberty for farmers, ranchers and rural communities.