Posted by Debbie Neustadt This measure is supported by many progressive organizations. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: November 15, 2001 Linda Rauser: (701) 675-2305 Brandy Hinkle: (406) 252-9672 WORC Applauds Committee Vote for Country of Origin Labeling Group Vows to Take Agriculture Competition Fight to Senate Floor The Western Organization of Resource Councils (WORC) commended the Senate Agriculture Committee's adoption of country of origin labeling of meat, fish and produce in its farm bill today, and vowed to win other anti-monopoly measures when the bill goes to the full Senate. WORC, a regional network of groups representing farmers, ranchers and consumers, says it hopes to build on a close vote in the Senate Agriculture Committee against a competition title on Tuesday, and today's vote for country of origin labeling. "Every time corporate monopolies in our food system comes up in Congress, we get more votes for family farmers, ranchers and consumers," said Linda Rauser, Chair of the Western Organization of Resource Councils (WORC). "On Tuesday, a well-heeled lobby effort by corporate agribusiness interests stopped the Senate Agriculture Committee from including the first-ever competition title in the Farm Bill - for now. But today's vote for country of origin labeling shows we can win despite the special interests. The fight for anti-monopoly reforms isn't over by a long shot." The Senate Agriculture Committee today adopted a country of origin amendment to its version of the farm bill on an 11 to 10 vote. The amendment, by Senator Paul Wellstone (D-MN), requires retail labeling of meat, fish and produce by its country of origin. On Tuesday, the Agriculture Committee had voted 12 to 9 to strike a competition title -- which included country of origin labeling -- proposed by Committee Chairman Tom Harkin (D-IA). The Committee also voted 9-12 to defeat an amendment by Senator Paul Wellstone (D-MN) to prohibit packer ownership of livestock. "We urge farmers, ranchers and consumers to ask the Senators who voted against country of origin labeling and competition: 'Who is opposing this common-sense legislation?'" Rauser said. "I doubt very much that consumers got together and decided that they didn't want to know where their food comes from. And I don't know any farmers or ranchers who favor price discrimination and price manipulation in our markets." "Agribusiness monopolies, and commodity groups beholden to them, opposed this legislation," Rauser said. "They are working against the interests of the overwhelming majority of America's farmers, ranchers and consumers." Votes in the Senate Agriculture Committee on Competition Issues Tuesday, November 13, 2001 Wellstone Amendment on Packer Ownership of Livestock and Captive Supplies Similar to a bill cosponsored by Senators Johnson, Daschle, Thomas and Grassley, this amendment would have prohibited meatpackers from owning livestock more than 14 days prior to slaughter. It also contained provisions to stop price manipulation and price discrimination by packers. DEMOCRATS FOR: Wellstone (MN), Harkin (IA), Conrad (ND), Baucus (MT), Daschle (SD), Leahy (VT), Stabenow (MI), Dayton (MN). DEMOCRATS AGAINST: Lincoln (AR), Miller (GA), and Nelson (NE). REPUBLICANS FOR: Thomas (WY) REPUBLICANS AGAINST: Crapo (ID), Allard (CO), Roberts (KS), Lugar (IN), Cochran (MS), Helms (NC), McConnell (KY), Hutchinson (AR), Fitzgerald (IL) Motion to strike the competition title (A vote for the motion was a vote against the competition title) REPUBLICANS FOR: Crapo (ID), Allard (CO), Thomas (WY), Roberts (KS), Lugar (IN), Cochran (MS), Helms (NC), McConnell (KY), Hutchinson (AR), Fitzgerald (IL) DEMOCRATS FOR: Miller (GA), Lincoln (AR) DEMOCRATS AGAINST: Wellstone (MN), Harkin (IA), Conrad (ND), Baucus (MT), Daschle (SD), Leahy (VT), Stabenow (MI), Dayton (MN), Nelson (NE). Thursday, November 15, 2001 Wellstone Country of Origin Amendment DEMOCRATS FOR: Wellstone (MN), Harkin (IA), Conrad (ND), Baucus (MT), Daschle (SD), Leahy (VT), Stabenow (MI), Dayton (MN), Miller (GA), Nelson (NE). DEMOCRATS AGAINST: Lincoln (AR). REPUBLICANS FOR: Thomas (WY) REPUBLICANS AGAINST: Crapo (ID), Allard (CO), Roberts (KS), Lugar (IN), Cochran (MS), Helms (NC), McConnell (KY), Hutchinson (AR), Fitzgerald (IL) - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - For SC email list T-and-C, send: GET TERMS-AND-CONDITIONS.CURRENT to [log in to unmask]