NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Louisiana crawfish farmers welcome a federal program requiring certain products, including crawfish, be labeled with their country of origin.
The final rule, also covering such things as beef, pork, chicken and wild and farm-raised fish and shellfish, becomes effective March 16.
Stephen Minvielle, director of the Louisiana Crawfish Farmers Association, said his group loves the program, which will help consumers distinguish Louisiana-produced crawfish in grocery stores from crawfish produced in countries like China.
Many U.S. cattle producers have also long pushed for the program, which will require that commodities and cuts covered under it be labeled at the point of retail sale with their country of origin.
The production method will have to be specified for fish and shellfish.
