Mandatory country-of-origin labeling for beef moved closer to returning after the Senate Agriculture Committee advanced its version of the 2026 farm bill.
The legislation includes an amendment tied to the American Beef Labeling Act that would restore mandatory country-of-origin labeling, or MCOOL, for beef.
The proposal directs the U.S. Department of Agriculture and U.S. Trade Representative to develop a World Trade Organization-compliant labeling system within one year.
MCOOL requires retailers to identify where cattle were born, raised and slaughtered.
Congress repealed the requirement for beef in 2015 after a WTO ruling opened the United States to retaliatory tariffs.
R-CALF USA and the United States Cattlemen’s Association support reinstating MCOOL, arguing consumers should know beef’s origin.
The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association and Meat Institute oppose the mandate, saying compliance costs could increase beef prices.
The farm bill now awaits further Senate consideration.
