“The regulatory burden and costs, estimated to be $3.9 billion in the first year of implementation by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, of mandatory country-of-origin labeling both fall disproportionately on the independent and smaller pork producers, which is unfortunate,“ said Caspers, a pork producer from Swaledale, Iowa. “We are extremely disappointed that a voluntary system that would have benefited consumers without unduly burdening producers will not be implemented.“

According to Caspers, pork producers have long supported efforts to replace a government mandated mandatory labeling program with a workable, and market-driven voluntary program that is cost-effective, and one that minimizes burdensome and costly recordkeeping.

“A workable voluntary program needs the commitment of all segments of the food production chain to work together to benefit both producers and consumers by providing product origin information and not adding unnecessary costs without demonstrated benefits,“ he said. “NPPC will continue to work to educate members of Congress in the months to come about the many problems associated with the mandatory labeling law and the benefits of instituting a voluntary program in its place.“

Source: National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) - 22nd November 2004