CDFA SECRETARY LYONS URGES PARTICIPATION AT LISTENING SESSION FOR COUNTRY OF ORIGIN LABELING PROGRAM

Listening session set for June 12 in Sacramento

SACRAMENTO – CDFA Secretary William (Bill) J. Lyons, Jr. is urging California’s farmers and ranchers to attend a listening session for the federal government’s upcoming Country of Origin Labeling program. The session is set for June 12, at 1 p.m., at the California-EPA’s Central Valley Auditorium, 1001 I Street in Sacramento. This is the only listening session scheduled in California.

Country of origin labeling is required by a provision in the 2002 federal farm bill. The new law requires the labeling of agricultural commodities sold at retail with the country of origin.

“I have heard many opinions expressed about this new law,” said Secretary Lyons. “There are a number of potential issues that must be addressed. I encourage our farmers, ranchers, retailers and consumers to make these opinions known to the USDA, so the federal government may consider them when implementing the law.”

The purpose of the listening session is to help USDA develop guidelines for implementation of the Country of Origin Labeling law, which is scheduled to take effect in September 2004. While USDA officials will not take questions at the session, comments will be solicited following an overview of the new law.

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