 June 15, 2007 |
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USCA: Reopening of Comment Period on COOL Rule Good News for Cattlemen |
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| San Lucas, California (June 15, 2007)—The United States Cattlemen’s Association (USCA) is disturbed by reports that the American Meat Institute (AMI) is advising its packer members to require proof of origin for the livestock that they buy for processing. USCA believes that such heavy-handed tactics are part of a larger strategy that aims to thwart the implementation of mandatory country of origin labeling (M-COOL). But USCA is confident that the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) recent decision to reopen the comment period on the proposed COOL rule for livestock will eliminate the need for such tactics by opponents of mandatory labeling. “AMI is using outdated information to intimidate processors and producers,” says Danni Beer, USCA COOL Committee chairperson and Region X Director. “Many of the fears that AMI is promulgating regarding the impact of COOL on the cattle industry are derived from concerns about the COOL interim rule written in 2003. USCA believes that these concerns will be eliminated as the implementation process progresses, and that despite AMI’s claims, the sky will not fall in because of COOL.” “Similar concerns were raised about the interim rule for fish and shellfish,” adds Beer. “But following a productive comment period, the regulations developed by USDA eliminated many of those concerns. USDA is following the proper procedure by reopening the comment period on the proposed rule for livestock, and USCA expects that the resulting discussion will lead to the implementation of successful COOL regulations.” The COOL language in the 2002 Farm Bill provides numerous examples of ways to deliver country of origin information to consumers while protecting the integrity of the program. USCA looks forward to working with USDA, producers, and everyone involved to develop a final rule that creates a cost effective program that benefits producers and consumers without burdening the industry. “USCA is optimistic that this comment period will lead to the successful implementation of COOL,” says Beer. “USCA intends to submit comments to the Agricultural Marketing Service within USDA regarding the implementation, and asks individual producers and other groups to do the same. Input from all sides will be crucial to the development of effective regulations." AMS asks that interested parties consider the provisions of the Interim Final Rule for fish and shellfish and whether the definitions and requirements in that interim final rule can also be applied to beef, lamb, pork, perishable agricultural commodities and peanuts. USDA published the proposed rule for mandatory COOL of beef, lamb, pork, perishable agricultural commodities, and peanuts in the Oct. 30, 2003, Federal Register. The proposed rule requires designated retailers and their suppliers to notify customers of the country of origin of covered commodities. The proposed rule also requires retailers and their suppliers to maintain specific records to verify claims. The full text of the proposed rule can be found at http://www.ams.usda.gov/cool/ls0304.pdf. Check the USCA website (www.uscattlemen.org) over the coming weeks, to read USCA’s comments on the proposed rule for implementing COOL. |
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