BILL REQ. #:  S-4306.1 

Read first time 01/28/2004.   Referred to Committee on Agriculture.

     TO THE HONORABLE GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES, AND TO THE PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE AND THE SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, AND TO THE SENATE AND HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE UNITED STATES, IN CONGRESS ASSEMBLED, AND TO THE SECRETARY OF THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE:
     We, your Memorialists, the Senate and House of Representatives of the State of Washington, in legislative session assembled, respectfully represent and petition as follows:
     WHEREAS, Congress enacted the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act in 2002 that contains country of origin labeling requirements for fresh fruits and vegetables, red meats, fish, and peanuts; and
     WHEREAS, The labeling requirements were to be phased-in to allow time for the marketing system to accommodate the necessary changes by requiring the promulgation of voluntary guidelines by September 30, 2002, with mandatory labeling to begin on September 30, 2004; and
     WHEREAS, The food items enumerated above have been previously exempt from the country of origin labeling requirements that apply to other items sold at retail since enactment by Congress of the Tariff Act of 1930; and
     WHEREAS, Many foreign countries already impose their own country of origin labeling at retail and/or import sites for various agricultural commodities as shown in the Foreign Country of Origin Labeling Survey of February 4, 1998; and
     WHEREAS, Agricultural products in the United States are known for their quality, and labeling would offer consumers a clear choice over foreign farm products that are shipped in from longer distances;
     NOW, THEREFORE, Your Memorialists respectfully pray that Congress and the United States Department of Agriculture move forward with country of origin labeling requirements on the original schedule established by Congress in 2002 for the enumerated food products.
     BE IT RESOLVED, That copies of this Memorial be immediately transmitted to the Honorable George W. Bush, President of the United States, the Secretary of the United States Department of Agriculture, the President of the United States Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and each member of Congress from the State of Washington.