Mandatory country-of-origin labeling for beef has moved another step forward with its inclusion in the Senate Agriculture Committee’s 2026 Farm Bill.
The legislation contains provisions connected to the American Beef Labeling Act that would restore mandatory labeling requirements for beef sold in the United States. The proposal directs the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the U.S. Trade Representative to develop a labeling system that complies with World Trade Organization rules.
Under the proposal, labels would identify where cattle were born, raised and slaughtered.
Congress repealed mandatory country-of-origin labeling requirements for beef in 2015 after a WTO dispute exposed the United States to possible retaliatory tariffs from Canada and Mexico.
Supporters, including R-CALF USA and the United States Cattlemen’s Association, argue that consumers deserve clear information about the origin of the beef they purchase. They also contend that mandatory labeling would help distinguish beef produced from cattle raised in the United States.
The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association and the Meat Institute oppose a federal mandate. Those organizations have raised concerns about compliance expenses and possible disruptions within the beef supply chain.
The Farm Bill has cleared the Senate Agriculture Committee but must still receive approval from the full Senate. It would also need to clear the House and be signed by the president before becoming law.