National Farmers Union President Rob Larew says the USDA’s new Ranchers First Initiative is a step in the right direction, but more action is needed to strengthen the U.S. cattle industry. Larew says improved risk protection tools, expanded credit, and new processing loans could help farmers and ranchers rebuild herds and compete in a cattle market increasingly dominated by large corporations. But he says one important piece is missing — country-of-origin labeling. “Our farmers and ranchers produce the safest, highest-quality beef in the world,” Larew says, “but without mandatory country-of-origin labeling, meatpackers can blend imported beef into products marketed as American.” Larew is urging the administration to support mandatory COOL and Congress to move legislation forward. He says a long-term commitment is needed to rebuild the nation’s cattle herd and create a fairer marketplace for independent cattle producers.
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