Date:  December 12, 2005
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Chase Carter, Executive Director 402.817.4443

Lincoln, NE ~ U.S. Senators Max Baucus (D-MT) and Conrad Burns (R-MT) held a news conference November 17 introducing legislation to restore the September 30, 2006 implementation date of Mandatory Country of Origin Labeling (MCOOL). Co-sponsors of the legislation include Senators Chuck Grassley (R-IA); Jeff Bingaman (D-NM); Tom Harkin (D-IA); Robert Byrd (D-WVA) and Ron Wyden (D-OR).

"The Organization for Competitive Markets (OCM) vigorously supports this legislation and we appreciate the bi-partisan effort being made in the U.S. Senate to restore the 2006 date to launch meat labeling," said Chase Carter, OCM Executive Director. "After the disappointing passage of the FY2006 Ag Appropriations Bill, which delayed implementation of COOL beyond its original expiration date, and the dirty politics involved in that process, it’s refreshing to see Senators addressing this issue aggressively and forthrightly. We’ve had good support in the U.S. Senate for this program and we appreciate the work being done to support U.S. livestock producers."

Senators John Thune (R-SD); Kent Conrad (D-ND); Tim Johnson (D-SD); Craig Thomas (R-WY); Mike Enzi (R-WY); and Byron Dorgan (D-ND) also appeared at the Thursday press conference.

The Baucus-Burns legislation would reverse the MCOOL delay incorporated in the Agriculture Appropriations spending measure and amends the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946 to restore the 2006 deadline to implement MCOOL.

"We expect this bill to be approved by the U.S. Senate," noted Carter. "Historically, COOL has faced more resistance in the U.S. House, but we’re optimistic about overcoming the opposition from legislators who have a tendency towards answering to special interests. COOL is a simple and patriotic law that puts American consumers and livestock producers first. It’s time to implement the law and move forward."

"It’s critical that producers and consumers make a concerted effort to contact their congressional delegations and insist this legislation be fast-tracked through both chambers," continued Carter. "Working together we can reach our goal of implementing COOL in 2006."

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.