It's a WIN for U.S. meat, but there's still more transparency in labeling needed...

In a significant victory for American farmers, U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack has announced a new policy that mandates that all meat products bearing the "Product of U.S.A.'' label must originate from animals born, raised, slaughtered, and processed within the United States. This decision closes a loophole exploited by multinational meatpacking corporations, who had been labeling imported meat as "Product of U.S.A.," undermining domestic producers and misleading consumers. This victory, achieved after a six-year-long campaign by farmers and activists across the country, marks a crucial step forward in supporting American producers and fostering opportunities for future generations of farmers and ranchers.

This policy change, while a major step forward, is not enough – we need broader action on mandatory Country of Origin Labeling (mCOOL), and that’s why we need your support! Although the new USDA policy provides stricter regulations on what products can get a “Product of U.S.A” label slapped on it, it does not mandate labeling. Meatpackers can choose not to use the label, and let millions of American consumers continue to believe that the generic “USDA inspection” stickers indicate that the product is from the U.S.  

Research has shown that the vast majority of Americans want to know where their food comes from, and that the origin for their food is a major influence on their food-buying decisions.  People want and deserve to know where their food comes from!

And mCOOL does more than just letting us know where our food is sourced from - it helps protect our local farmers. Imports, including imported grass-fed beef, create unfair price pressure and push American ranchers into the conventional, corporate food system, weakening our local and regional food production.

So although we celebrate the victory on the “Product of the USA” label, we need your help to push for more.  If we are going to truly bring back a robust and resilient food system and empower our local farmers and ranchers, we need Congress to implement mCOOL. Several bills, including S.52, H.R. 5081, and H.R. 4979 all provide strong solutions.

Call your Congresspeople today and let them know you want them to support these mCOOL bills!

Find Your Legislators

NOTE: Your call can be short and simple, just a couple of minutes long.  Share why you, as a farmer or consumer (or both!), think that Americans should know what country their meat comes from.

Thank you for taking action!