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Interest in mandatory county-of-origin labeling of fresh meats exists at both the state and national levels. A sample of beef handling firms in Louisiana (processors, retailers and restaurants) was surveyed by telephone to identify the characteristics of these firms that would help explain their decision to support or reject the law. A factor supporting the label use was a belief that the label is valuable to buyers. Negative factors were that the firm is a restaurant, is part of a chain or franchise, or has experience handling imported beef, and the belief that labeling merely reflects more government interference in free trade.

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Per capita seafood consumption, which has been increasing was 15.5 lbs. in 1987 compared to 10.3 lbs. in 1980. This increase occurred during a period of increasing aquaculture production, especially catfish. Per capita catfish consumption increased from .24 lb. in 1983 to .58 lb. in 1988. A nationwide household survey indicates catfish is the fifth most popular seafood item in the United States. A logit analysis was used to identify socioeconomic factors significantly influencing catfish consumption both at home and away from home. Race, religious preference, and household size are significant factors along with perceived regional availability.