House Joint Resolution 35 "Relating to mad cow disease and country-of-origin labeling for meat products."
Click for PDF: http://www.akdemocrats.org/sponsor/HJR35_ss_rep_kerttula.pdf National attention has recently been drawn to bovine spongiform encephalopathy, "mad cow disease," because the prions that cause the disease were found in a cow from a farm in Washington state. It was later discovered that cow had been brought to Washington from Canada and had probably contracted the disease from its feed. After the discovery, the U.S. Department of Agriculture took swift steps to contain and prevent the disease. House Joint Resolution 35 supports the USDA's efforts.
Country of origin labeling (COOL) of beef and beef products would help consumers to make intelligent decisions in purchasing meat. Currently, country of origin labeling for beef has been delayed until September 30, 2006 from its original implementation date of September 30, 2004. Because of the recent mad cow scare, COOL should be implemented sooner. House Joint Resolution 35 supports any efforts by the Alaska congressional delegation to ensure more timely country of origin labeling of beef.