LITTLE ROCK — On Friday afternoon, the U.S. Congress passed an omnibus spending bill, effectively eliminating problematic country-of-origin labeling rules and enacting additional measures that will help Arkansas farmers and ranchers. 

“While this bill may not be perfect, it was necessary to protect the livelihoods of farmers and ranchers across this great country,” said Randy Veach, president of Arkansas Farm Bureau. “We are grateful to Arkansas Congressmen French Hill and Steve Womack for their support of this legislation that provides critical tax relief, resolves country of origin labeling issues and delivers funding for programs important to Arkansas farmers, ranchers and rural communities.

“The language that effectively repeals the country-of-origin labeling was exactly what was needed to prevent trade retaliation.”

In a separate vote on Friday, Congressmen Rick Crawford and Bruce Westerman joined Hill and Womack in voting to make permanent tax provisions that are critical to Arkansas farmers and ranchers.

Earlier this month, the World Trade Organization authorized Canada and Mexico to place more than $1 billion in tariffs on beef and pork, based on U.S. law that requires country of origin labeling on these products. An arbitration panel at the World Trade Organization ruled that the U.S policy, known by its acronym COOL, was unfair because it puts imported livestock at a disadvantage to domestic livestock.  

Arkansas Farm Bureau is a nonprofit, private advocacy organization of more than 190,000 families throughout the state working to improve farm and rural life.