The Montana legislature tabled a bill Tuesday that would have implemented country-of-origin-labeling on beef and pork.
As of right now, cattle and pigs born and raised in other countries can still be labeled a product of the USA if they’re processed and packaged in the United States.
House Agriculture Committee vice-chair Casey Knudson, a Republican from Malta, suggested postponing the bill Tuesday.
“Mr. Chair, I’m just going to say this one thing,” said Knudson. “This is not the government’s job. So, I’m going to offer a substitute motion to table.”
The Committee voted to table the bill 9 - 8.
Ranchers who favor the bill argue the label would promote Montana beef. Opponents at the hearing argued it was too complicated to be determined on a state level.
The senate Agriculture, Livestock and Irrigation Standing Committee passed a resolution this week urging congress to pass origin-of-labeling laws.
