Cristal Cody , writing last week at the Arkansas Democrat Gazette webpage (Northwest Arkansas edition), in an article entitled, "The hungry Americans," pointed out the diverse and increasingly voracious appetite that Americans have for a wide variety of food products from abroad.

"Americans are growing hungrier for Australian beef, Canadian pork, Chilean plums and Mexican tomatoes. Agricultural imports are expected to rise 10 percent this year to a record $ 63. 5 billion, according to the U. S. Department of Agriculture. Americans ate little imported food in the 1980 s, but today they consume many foods from the country's top importers - Canada, Mexico and the European Union, along with the People's Republic of China. Those countries make up about 60 percent of U. S. agricultural imports, up from 30 percent in the 1980s, the USDA said. Driving the growth is demand for fresh fruits and vegetables, beef, sugar, cocoa, coffee, beer and wine," the article said.

The article also noted that, "'Unless Congress takes immediate action to implement Country-of-Origin Labeling so consumers have the right to choose either U. S. beef or foreign beef, producers will not be able to compete against these soaring imports,' [Chuck Kiker, president of R-CALF USA
(Ranchers-Cattlemen Action Legal Fund, United Stockgrowers of America ), a
trade group with membership of more than 18, 000 cattle producers in 47 states] said in a statement.

"'Consumers need to be fully aware that when they see the USDA inspection stamp on beef, that mark does not mean the beef is of U. S. origin.'"