Newark, Del. — Cathy Burns, president of Produce Marketing Association, issued the following statement in reaction to the Senate Agriculture Committee’s hearing on the potential impacts of trade retaliation as a result of the World Trade Organization dispute brought by Canada and Mexico regarding Country of Origin Labeling for beef, pork and poultry:
“Today’s Senate hearing confirms the need for the Senate to act quickly and decisively to repeal legislation mandating country of origin labeling for beef, pork and poultry. Now is not the time to create further uncertainty in this process. Up to $1 billion in produce exports to Canada and Mexico are now in jeopardy as those countries continue to reiterate that anything short of repeal is unacceptable and they will pursue remedies in the World Trade Organization. Recent weeks have proven that the House and Senate can work in a bipartisan way to bolster international trade opportunities for U.S. exporters. No better example of these opportunities exist than in produce, where consumer demand for a diverse selection of fresh product year-round continues to grow. We urge Congress to act in a similar fashion to repeal COOL for meat.”
Today, PMA wrote the Senate Agriculture Committee leadership as a part of the hearing record to urge passage of H.R. 2393, the Country of Origin Labeling Amendments Act of 2015. Produce Marketing Association is the largest trade association representing companies in the fresh produce industry globally with more than 2,700 member companies in 45 countries. The association’s members operate at every level in the supply chain from growing to shipping, processing, distribution, wholesaling, retail, and foodservice. In the United States, PMA’s members handle more than 90 percent of fresh produce sold to U.S. consumers.
About Produce Marketing Association (PMA)
Produce Marketing Association is the leading trade association representing companies from every segment of the global produce and floral supply chain. PMA helps members grow by providing business solutions that expand business opportunities and increase sales and consumption. For more information, visit www.pma.com.
Source: Produce Marketing Association (PMA)
