Smith’s Labeling Bill Fails In House

A bill being sponsored by Rep. Frank Smith, D-Poplar, regarding product labeling hasn’t received enough support.

House Bill 324 aimed to require a placard of Country of Origin on beef or pork products. The proposal was voted down in the House by a 65-34 margin.

During a hearing on Feb. 11, Smith noted similar bills have been heard during other sessions. “This one is definitely different,” Smith told the House’s agriculture committee. “It’s a bill for economic development, it creates jobs.”

Proponents of the bill testifying included several Montana ranchers.

Cole Mannix of the Grow Montana Coalition said the bill is about transparency. “It’s something customers want and ranchers are willing to provide,” he said. Walter Schweitzer, president of the Montana Farmers Union, noted that consumers are currently misled regarding where their beef and pork comes from.

Opponents included Jay Bodner of the Montana Stockgrowers Association. He said it’s important to looks at some of the mechanics of the bill.

Bodner noted that similar proposals of featured legal reviews. He said another concern is that retailers haven’t been involved in the process.

He added that beef and pork products can be promoted through the Made in Montana program. “We have the opportunity to promote Montana’s beef,” he said.

Nicole Rolf of the Montana Farm Bureau Federation expressed concerns that the bill would be in compliant with existing trade agreements. She feels the bill would go against the World Trade Organization.

“Passing it will not re-implement Country of Origin Labeling,” she noted.

Rolf noted that many of the proponents and opponents of the bill have similar goals, but the suggested placards could do more damage than good for the beef industry.

“We have some opportunities to market materials and we should be doing that,” she said. “Unfortunately, this isn’t the bill to do that.”