A proposal by the U.S. Department of Agriculture would change the rules on what foods can be labeled “Product of USA.” Current regulations allow foreign-raised livestock to use that designation, putting producers in Michigan and across the U.S. at a disadvantage. The new rule would allow the Product of USA label to be used only on meat, poultry, and eggs from animals born, raised, slaughtered and processed in the United States. Dee Laninga with Farm Action says current law allows the label to be used if the product simply passes through a U.S. inspection plant.
“That allows imported meat to be imported by multinational corporations, repackaged, and then passed off as higher-quality product raised by U.S. farmers and ranchers.”
Laninga says the change would level the playing field for U-S farmers and also educate consumers about where their food is coming from.The livestock industry and related food processors annually contribute $10.7 billion to the economy while supporting more than 400,000 jobs.
