Establishment of Guidelines for the Interim Voluntary Country of Origin Labeling of Beef, Lamb, Pork, Fish, Perishable Agricultural Commodities, and Peanuts Under the Authority of the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946

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The Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 (Pub. L. 107-171) amended the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946 to require the Department of Agriculture's Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) to issue country of origin labeling guidelines for voluntary use by retailers who wish to notify their customers of the country of origin of beef (including veal), lamb, pork, fish, perishable agricultural commodities, and peanuts. The guidelines contained within this notice include definitions that can be used by retailers and their suppliers and understood by other market participants, to facilitate the voluntary labeling or identification of commodities covered by this program by their respective country of origin. These voluntary guidelines also outline what the Agency believes represents the framework of a consumer notification, product marking, and recordkeeping program that would be required to carry out this program. AMS is committed to providing the industry and consumers with a workable voluntary program that will carry out the intent of the law. Public Law 107-171 also requires the Secretary to promulgate a regulation for mandatory labeling by September 30, 2004. Development of