The Administration's Attempt to Put Ranchers First

With the national beef herd at a 75-year low, the Trump Administration is launching a government-wide effort to support American ranchers and rebuild the national beef herd. Signed last Friday, two executive orders focus on three key areas of concern for ranchers. The first order revisits Mandatory Country of Origin Labeling (MCOOL), which was repealed in 2015 after disputes from the World Trade Organization, and the reauthorization of lethal takings for gray and Mexican wolves. The second order discusses the opportunity for ranchers to expand into local meat processing to combat high costs imposed by larger processors. 

Regarding MCOOL, the administration has initiated a review that could lead to its reinstatement. The executive order directs the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture to examine current federal regulations to determine whether they can support mandatory country-of-origin labeling for beef. In addition, the USDA will conduct an economic analysis to determine how MCOOL would affect current market conditions. Once this review is complete,  the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the U.S. Trade Representative may develop legislative recommendations for the formal reinstatement of MCOOL. 

Rather than waiting for Congress to act, the administration can also pursue immediate administrative options to address the labeling issue. Under 9 CFR 327.14, imported meat and its immediate container must display the country of origin upon arrival. Once imported meat is repackaged or further processed at a Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) establishment, they are not required to reattach country-of-origin labeling. FSIS could revisit its interpretation and guidance regarding 9 CFR 327.14 to preserve foreign-origin labeling farther down the supply chain. Such a change could provide consumers with greater transparency about the origin of their beef while more clearly distinguishing U.S.-produced beef in the marketplace. 

Next, the order instructs the Secretary of the Interior to evaluate if gray and Mexican wolf populations have adequately recovered to be delisted from the Endangered Species Act. If the Secretary of Interior determines that delisting is appropriate, following collaboration between the Deputy Assistant to the President and Director of Intergovernmental Affairs and the Secretary of Agriculture, states may permit ranchers to use precise targeting to reduce the threat of wolf predation on their herds. 

Finally, the second order detailed a plan to address market monopolization and meat processing capabilities. Under the Packers and Stockyards Act, the USDA is directed to investigate the four largest meat processors for price manipulation, deceptive practices, and unfair advantages. In addition, the order aims to allow ranchers to expand processing options to smaller regional facilities. To do this, the order directs the USDA to create a directory entailing local slaughtering information, a loan program to assist ranchers with new processing facility costs, and regulatory and technical assistance. 

Before the two executive orders were signed, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins stated that “for too long, the men and women who feed and fuel this nation were ignored and cast aside. That ends under President Trump.” Through guidance on MCOOL reinstatement, efforts to combat herd predation, and the expansion of processing options, ranchers’ interests are in the forefront of the President’s agenda.

While these orders mark meaningful progress for American ranchers, additional action is needed to strengthen the domestic beef industry, rebuild the national herd, and provide greater transparency for consumers. The Trump administration has sent a clear message to Congress: it’s time to act. Our ranchers need elected officials to pass MCOOL to finally give consumers what they deserve: truth and transparency about where their food comes from, while also giving producers the distinction of a USA Beef label.