GAO Refutes Bush Over Meat Labeling

[Khephra]

WASHINGTON -- Government cost estimates of a new program that will require meat packages to be labeled with their countries of origin are "questionable and not well supported," congressional auditors said in a report released Wednesday.

The General Accounting Office report undermines an argument against the labeling requirements, which are set to take effect in September 2004.

Sens. Tom Daschle and Tim Johnson, both D-S.D., and Mike Enzi, R-Wyo., said the GAO report is ammunition against House legislation that would cut off funds to the labeling program before it starts.

The Department of Agriculture estimated the cost of filing the paperwork for the first year of the program would be $1.9 billion. The GAO said the USDA estimates of cost and burden on industry "are questionable and not well supported."

http://www.newsday.com/news/politics/wire/sns-ap-food-labels,0,4053220.story?coll=sns-ap-politics-headlines