U.S. Senator Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) today reintroduced the USA Beef Act, legislation to limit the use of the “Product of USA” label only to beef products that are born, raised and slaughtered in the United States. The legislation would also codify the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) rule addressing the same issue.
In March 2023, USDA proposed a rule which requires that the “Product of USA” or “Made in the USA” labels can only be applied to meat, poultry and egg products that are born, raised, slaughtered and processed in the United States. It doesn’t mandate a U.S.-origin label, but rather creates a voluntary opportunity to claim the label on products if requirements are met. This rule was finalized in March 2024 and went into effect in May 2024, with all producers required to comply by the start of 2026.
Because this is a rule issued by an executive agency, it can be revoked at any time by future administrations. Rounds’ legislation would permanently protect this rule by putting it into law.
“We applaud the USDA taking action to restore integrity to the “Product of USA” label on meat, poultry and egg products,” said Rounds. “This has been a big step forward in consumer transparency and gives our American ranchers the upper hand to compete with lower quality foreign beef that used to falsely bear the same label. My legislation would make these changes permanent and make certain that the rule stays in place for years to come. While this rule is a win, our next priority is delivering Mandatory Country of Origin Labeling (MCOOL) for American producers and consumers.”
Rounds has not delayed on pursuing MCOOL for beef. Last week he sent a letter to U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins asking her to develop a framework for reinstating MCOOL
“Our American producers work hard every day to produce the highest quality beef in the world,” Rounds wrote. “They battle the wind, the rain, the snow and the sun. Foreign governments and multinational meatpacking companies should not determine the fate of the American family ranching system.”
A majority of American consumers support requiring country of origin labeling for fresh meat. Retail-level MCOOL for fresh fruits, vegetables, beef, pork, lamb and seafood passed as part of the 2002 Farm Bill and was implemented fully in 2008. After a number of challenges from trade partners and the World Trade Organization, Congress repealed MCOOL requirements for beef and pork. Rounds is asking Secretary Rollins to develop a framework with U.S. trade officials to develop a framework that would not face similar challenges from trading partners.
Rounds launched a nationwide effort in June 2024 to support American farmers and ranchers by getting MCOOL included in the Farm Bill. This effort was endorsed by 26 farm and ranch groups from across the country. The effort was also co-signed by Senators Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Angus King (I-Maine), Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.) and Jon Tester (D-Mont.).
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Sen. Mike Rounds
