71st OREGON LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY--2001 Regular Session
 
NOTE:  Matter within  { +  braces and plus signs + } in an
amended section is new. Matter within  { -  braces and minus
signs - } is existing law to be omitted. New sections are within
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 LC 4184
 
                     House Joint Memorial 33
 
Sponsored by Representative T SMITH
 
 
                             SUMMARY
 
The following summary is not prepared by the sponsors of the
measure and is not a part of the body thereof subject to
consideration by the Legislative Assembly. It is an editor's
brief statement of the essential features of the measure as
introduced.
 
  Urges Congress of United States to enact legislation that
requires country of origin labeling on all meat and meat
products.
 
                         JOINT MEMORIAL
To the President of the United States and the Senate and House of
  Representatives of the United States of America, in Congress
  assembled:
  We, your memorialists, the Seventy-first Legislative Assembly
of the State of Oregon, in legislative session assembled,
respectfully represent as follows:
  Whereas foot and mouth disease and bovine spongiform
encephalopathy, commonly known as 'mad cow disease,' have caused
great concern among American consumers who are now demanding to
be informed of the country of origin of meat and meat products;
and
  Whereas livestock producers are also concerned and believe that
consumers must be informed as to the country of origin of meat
and meat products; and
  Whereas 78 percent of American consumers recently polled are in
favor of country of origin labeling of meat and meat products
that would allow an informed choice between meat and meat
products from the United States or other countries; and
  Whereas American consumers have a right to know the origin of
the meat and meat products that their families consume; and
  Whereas there is certainty that livestock producers in the
United States adhere to high food safety standards, but there is
not that same certainty with imported meats; and
  Whereas country of origin labeling will give United States
consumers the certainty that meat labeled 'United States meat '
means that the meat came from an animal that was born, raised and
processed in this country; and
  Whereas country of origin labeling would not violate the
General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade or the North American Free
Trade Agreement; now, therefore,
Be It Resolved by the Legislative Assembly of the State of
  Oregon:
  (1) The Congress of the United States is respectfully requested
to enact comprehensive legislation that requires country of
origin labeling on all meat and meat products, including blended
meats, to ensure that meat labeled 'United States meat ' is meat
from animals that were born, raised and processed in the United
States.
  (2) A copy of this memorial shall be sent to the President of
the United States and to each member of the Oregon Congressional
Delegation.
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