'Peel Away’ the Rhetorical Wrapping on Country-of-Origin Labeling, says AMI
US - An advertisement in the Capitol Hill newspaper Roll Call is urging readers to “peel away the rhetorical wrapping paper“ on mandatory country-of-origin labeling and see that the costly and burdensome law is actually an effort to block meat and livestock exports from other countries.
22 June 2007
2 minute read
The advert, placed by t the American Meat Institute (AMI), stresses that the US already has a country of origin labeling program for imported meat and poultry. Finished products like Danish hams or New Zealand lamb bear labels saying 'Product of Denmark' or 'Product of New Zealand'.
AMI questioned the notion that consumers are willing to pay more for products that tell where an animal was born, raised and slaughtered.
The advert says that the protectionists’ true motives are to make compliance with this law so difficult that U.S. meat packers will source livestock and meat products in the U.S. exclusively. But their short-sighted approach to limiting competition is sure to invite well-justified trade complaints under the World Trade Organization and the North American Free Trade Agreement.
“It says: "Don’t be fooled. Unwrap the package."
To view the ad, go to http://www.countryoforiginlabel.org and click on Press Room.
