Gephardt: country of origin labeling crucial

Democratic presidential candidate Dick Gephardt says it’s now more important than ever to have “country-of-origin” labels on meat and a nationwide tracking system for livestock. Investigators believe the dairy cow that tested positive for Mad Cow disease at a Washington state slaughterhouse came from Canada. Gephardt says proposed rules to track animals and meat products have been delayed by the Bush Administration. Gephardt says the U-S should immediately suspend the Bush Administration rule which would allow Canadian live cattle to be imported into the United States. Gephardt says the ban should stand until Canada’s efforts to keep the food supply safe are identical to ours. Gephardt delivered a speech today in Council Bluffs at the Iowa School for the Deaf, outlining proposals which he says would help the disabled. Gephardt says one of the major obstacles the disabled face in employment is the reluctance of businesses to hire disabled workers who have major health care needs. Gephardt says his health care reform plan would solve that problem and expand employment opportunities for disabled Americans. He also proposes more federal funding to ensure full implementation of the Americans with Disabilities Act.