SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO AM) - The House Agriculture Committee today defeated a bill establishing a state of origin meat labeling program in South Dakota.
Democrat State Senator Jason Frerichs of Wilmot warned that without labeling, consumers may get a variety of blended meats.
Frerichs says he wants to avoid situations where someone takes corn-fed, beautifully marbled South Dakota beef and mix it with some type of brahma-influenced, grass-fed, alligator fighting critter. He says then people will know.
Committee Chair Republican Committee Chair Lee Qualm of Platte says a successful labeling program should be national.
Qualm says he doesn't understand the benefit of a measure that makes an island of over 800,000 South Dakotans in a state of origin labeling program.
The bill died in committee seven to six.
The federal labeling program, COOL, was abolished for beef, pork and chicken, but it still continues for fish and fruit.