Providing for a country of origin label and allowing for injunctive relief

BILL’S PROVISIONS. This bill amends Code chapter 191 that sets forth labeling requirements for food products as regulated by the department of agriculture and land stewardship (DALS). The bill requires DALS to adopt rules to establish a notice of country of origin labeling program for beef and pork meat products sold in this state on a retail basis. The rules must be based on United States department of agriculture regulations published in the Federal Register in 2009. Congress enacted legislation that removed mandatory labeling requirements contained in those rules pursuant to the “Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2016” (Pub. L. 114-113). The bill provides that DALS is not to adopt such rules unless it first obtains any necessary waiver by the United States department of agriculture or until legislation is enacted by the United States Congress granting any necessary authorization. If DALS determines it requires state legislation to further implement the program, it is required to prepare such legislation for consideration by the 89th General Assembly during its second session. DALS must submit a report to the general assembly not later than January 10, 2022, detailing its progress in implementing the bill’s provisions. INJUNCTIVE RELIEF. DALS is authorized to restrain a person violating a provision in the Code chapter, including a rule adopted by DALS by petition in the district court where the violation occurs for injunctive relief.