A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION,  In support of country-of-origin labeling of meat products.

     WHEREAS,  consumers are entitled to know the origin of the meat they purchase and feed their families; and

     WHEREAS,  livestock producers deserve fair and honest representation for the meat products derived from the livestock they produce; and

     WHEREAS,  current law applying to meat labeling and meat inspections may confuse and mislead consumers into believing that United States Department of Agriculture inspected and stamped meat products are indeed domestic meat products, when in fact they are not; and

     WHEREAS,  livestock producers are proud of the quality livestock they produce and the meat products derived from that livestock, and these producers intend to continually improve their products and to educate the consuming public about the quality, safety, and nutritional value of their meat products; and

     WHEREAS,  nationwide polling results indicate not only that American consumers want to

know the origin of the meat products they feed their families, but also would favor purchasing United States meat products; and

     WHEREAS,  several other nations require retail meat labeling of United States pork and other meat products; and

     WHEREAS,  pork producers are suffering under low hog prices of historic proportions, and many producers are being forced to liquidate their herds and operations; and

     WHEREAS,  market access for many individual and independent pork producers has been eliminated because of oversupply, stifled slaughter capacity, vertical integration, packer concentration, and trade inequities; and

     WHEREAS,  the labeling of pork and other meat products to indicate country of origin is one way to restore fair and free competition to the pork industry:

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED,  by the Senate of the Seventy-fourth Legislature of the State of South Dakota, the House of Representatives concurring therein, that the South Dakota Legislature supports legislation requiring country-of-origin labeling of meat products at the retail level because it will help producers meet the desires and address the concerns of the consuming public and increase fair competition in the meats industry.