WASHINGTON, DC — January 19, 2004 — “Consumers were asked the wrong questions in a National Farmers Union poll released today on country of origin labeling,” said Tim Hammonds, president and CEO of the Food Marketing Institute (FMI). “They should have been asked, Do you know that the current labeling program that some in government seem to favor:

“Comes with a $3.9 billion price tag for the first year alone?

“Falls most heavily on small farmers, ranchers, growers and retailers?

“Doesn’t cover half the food that American consumers eat?

“Specifically prohibits USDA from developing an animal-ID traceback program?

“Encourages our trading partners to impose their own trade barriers limiting our markets?

“The key question is not whether consumers want country of origin labeling — but how best to do it,” said Hammonds. “Producers, retailers and wholesalers stand ready to implement a program that’s not loaded with a huge government bureaucracy that drives costs into the billions. Congress should give us the opportunity to develop a real solution before they decide to just throw money at it.”

Last Friday, the nation’s grocers and the associations for the nation’s leading beef, produce, pork and seafood producers announced an agreement to implement an efficient, affordable program to provide consumers country of origin information about these products. Representing the producers are the United Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Association, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, National Pork Producers Council and National Fisheries Institute. For more information, visit www.fmi.org.

Contact: Bill Greer 202-220-0667
          Todd Hultquist 202-220-0655