Country of Origin Labeling

News

RISKY BUSINESS: (Feedstuffs, 7/18/05) A group of beef cattle producers recently introduced a campaign to encourage consumers to ask for "U.S. Raised" beef in an effort to expedite a mandatory country-of-origin labeling legislation. Such a label could risk consumer demand, however, if it's affixed to a product that doesn't live up to consumer expectations of "U.S. Produced."

House unveils V-COOL, Sally Schuff, Feedstuffs, 5/9/05 - Several meat industry groups applauded last week’s introduction of a bill calling for a voluntary country-of-origin labeling (V-COOL) program for beef, pork and lamb sold in the U.S.

NCBA: Country-of-Origin Labeling, Cattlemen's Capitol Concerns, NCBA, 5/5/05 - House Ag Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte (R-VA), Rep. Marion Berry (D-AR), and Rep. Roy Blunt (R-MO) introduced the "Meat Promotion Act of 2005" (H.R. 2068) on May 4. The legislation calls for implementing a voluntary country-of-origin labeling program for the meat sector and is designed to benefit U.S. food producers by promoting American-grown foods. The bill currently has 34 co-sponsors. Cattle producers should contact their members of Congress to support and co-sponsor H.R. 2068.
NCBA, which has long supported the concept of country-of-origin labeling, says the Meat Promotion Act can finally move country-of-origin labeling forward in a common-sense and cost-effective manner. What separates this effort from other country-of-origin labeling programs debated in the past?

Neugebauer Backs Voluntary COOL Legislation, Southwest Farm Press, 5/4/05 - Congressman Randy Neugebauer signed onto legislation Wednesday that would establish a voluntary country-of-origin labeling (V-COOL) program for domestic meat producers, processors, and retailers. The Meat Promotion Act of 2005, H.R. 2068, was written by House Agriculture Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.) and has already gathered 33 cosponsors, including Neugebauer. Chairman Goodlatte's bill provides a flexible and voluntary marketing tool for American ranchers, processors, and retailers, Neugebauer said. ?Should they feel that it is in their best interest to use country-of-origin labels, the Meat Promotion Act allows them to do so in a way that best fits their operations. However, if they conclude that this labeling is too burdensome or too costly, then they can choose to participate in USDA's program.

NFU: Voluntary Food Labeling is Mistake, National Farmers Union, 5/4/05 - National Farmers Union is characterizing legislation to repeal mandatory country-of-origin-labeling (COOL)—and replace it with a voluntary system—an attempt to kill the widely supported COOL law passed in the 2002 Farm Bill. The recently-introduced Meat Promotion Act would repeal the mandatory labeling provision and, instead, implement a voluntary system.

New V-COOL bill would make country of origin labeling voluntary, AgricultureOnline, 5/4/05 - House Agriculture Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte (R-VA) and 33 co-sponsors have introduced a bipartisan bill that would create a voluntary, market-driven country-of-origin labeling program for meat: the Meat Promotion Act of 2005, H.R. 2068. They're calling it V-COOL for short.
The bill would amend the country-of-origin labeling requirements in the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946 and require the Secretary of Agriculture to establish a voluntary program that will allow producers to work with processors and retailers to provide labeling information in the marketplace in such a way that informs consumers and benefits producers.

Mandatory COOL will stay in place, Michael Howie, Feedstuffs, 11/29/04 - In wrapping up a 2005 omnibus spending bill, congressional leaders did not include language that would have created a voluntary country-of-origin labeling (COOL) program for beef, pork and other agriculture products, leaving in place the mandatory labeling required as part of the 2002 farm bill that is set to take effect in September 2006.

Voluntary COOL gets House support, Sally Schuff, Feedstuffs, 7/26/04 - The House Agriculture Committee gave overwhelming support to a bill that would substitute voluntary country-of-origin labeling (COOL) programs for the mandatory provisions passed as part of the 2002 farm bill.
The committee's vote last Thursday signaled that mandatory COOL is in serious trouble. Two amendments that would have preserved some mandatory provisions were soundly defeated during the committee's "mark-up" of the bill.

H.R 4576 - Title: To amend the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946 to establish a voluntary program for the provision of country of origin information with respect to certain agricultural products, and for other purposes - Bill text, summary and status information.

House Ag Committee passes voluntary COOL Legislation - 350 Organizations Support Bill
WASHINGTON , D.C. – The House Agriculture Committee today mark ed-up voluntary country-of-origin labeling legislation introduced by the Chairman earlier this summer. There were several amendments offered during the mark-up, but none failed to garner sufficient votes, failing by wide margins. Most notably, a substitute amendment to modify the current mandatory law was defeated by a vote of 32-16.

Lawmakers want COOL enacted sooner, Dairy Herd, March 23, 2004
The U.S. House of Representatives is working to reinstate the country-of-origin-labeling deadline to Sept. 30. A proposed bill would overturn a two-year delay that Congress approved in January. If this new bill passes, food processors and retailers would be required to apply country-of-origin labels on red meat, produce and peanuts.
COOL is a hot topic, with some groups supporting labels to distinguish U.S.-grown food from foreign competitors, while others want a voluntary labeling program. There are still questions about who will bear the costs involved. Many also are concerned about the record-keeping demands.
The Senate has many COOL supporters, so if this bill passes the House, you can expect it to get a serious review in the Senate.

Senate passes spending bill; COOL delayed two years, Sally Schuff, Feedstuffs, 1/26/04 - On its second try last week, the Senate passed the $820 billion omnibus spending bill, which includes a two-year delay in mandatory country-of-origin labeling (COOL).

The two-year delay will apply only to red meats, fruits and vegetables and peanuts. Both farm- and wild-raised fish are still subject to the September 2004 deadline.

Senate to deliberate on omnibus bull, Sally Schuff, Feedstuffs, 1/19/04 - The Senate will take up the omnibus 2004 spending bill on its first day back in session on Tuesday, and the mandatory country-of-origin labeling (COOL) will move from an arcane - but heated agricultural debate to the national spotlight.

COOL comment period given 60-day extension, Rod Smith, Feedstuffs, 12/2203 - The U.S. Department of Agriculture last week announced it will extend the comment period for the proposed rule that would implement mandatory country-of-origin labeling (COOL) of certain meat and other food products.

Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) director A.J. Yates said the extension is being granted in response to comments from parties against and for mandatory COOL so that the agency ensures that all organizations and persons wishing to comment on the rule will have the opportunity to do so. "We strongly encourage all interested parties to submit comments," he said.

Conferees vote to delay COOL start for two years, Rod Smith, Feedstuffs, 12/1/03 - Cooler congressional heads prevailed last week as House and Senate conferees approved an omnibus spending package with a provision that delays implementation of mandatory country-of-origin labeling (COOL) for two years.

The omnibus package provides $390 billion to cover more than 50% of government spending for the current fiscal year, which began Oct. 1, and must be voted as one bill when congress returns from Thanksgiving recess next week. As such, Feedstuffs sources both for and opposed to mandatory COOL said they expect the delay will stand.

The House is scheduled to consider the bill Dec. 8, after which it will go to the Senate.

Cattle Industry to Host COOL Summit on November 18, R-Calf USA, 11/12/03 - Representatives from the nation’s national, regional, state, and county cattle associations, representing U.S. live cattle producers, have been invited to meet in Denver, Colorado, on November 18, 2003, to discuss alternative methods for determining and verifying the origins of live cattle within the mandatory country of origin labeling (COOL) rules.

Senate backs Country-of-Origin Meat labeling, ATX News Limited, 11/07/03 - The Senate adopted a resolution Thursday backing a controversial law that requires country-of-origin labels on a variety of food products, including meat. Republican-controlled House, as part of its version of the fiscal 2004 agricultural appropriations bill, voted to block the U.S. Department of Agriculture from implementing meat-labeling regulations.

USDA Releases Report on COOL, Debate starts Anew, Troy Marshall, The Seedstock Digest, 11/3/04 - The newly released rules will now go through a 60 day comment period, refined and then published for good. USDA did a very good job of clarifying some of the issues that were vague under the voluntary guidelines, and items that were especially problematic...

USDA's proposed rule for mandatory labeling adds fuel to the debate, Dan Looker, Successful Farming Magazine - Monday, opponents and backers of mandatory country of origin labeling (COOL) found something to praise in a 200-page draft of a USDA rule for putting the controversial law into effect next year.

USDA reveals proposed COOL rule; opponents, proponents voice opinions, Sally Schuff, Feedstuffs. 11/3/03 - "When the U.S. Department of Agriculture unveiled its proposed rule last week for the farm bill's mandatory country-of-origin labeling (COOL) program, both proponents and opponents found a point of agreement: the long-awaited final round of the controversy can finally begin."

USDA Issues Proposed Rule For Mandatory Country of Origin Labeling USDA news release on 10/27/03.

FMI survey finds most producers support COOL but want law changed, Rod Smith, Feedstuffs, 10/20/03 - Although most producers support the country-of-origin labeling (COOL) law, almost two-thirds do not support the current COOL law and want Congress to amend or repeal it before it becomes effective next year, according to a new poll that was commissioned by the Food Marketing Institute (FMI) and released last week.
FMI said 62% of the livestock, fruit and vegetable producers surveyed want the current law changed or repealed, 53% said they are "not at all confident" or "not very confident" that the law will achieve any increase in sales of their food products, 38% said they believe costs of the law will be passed back on them and 48% said they believe costs will be passed forward to consumers, decreasing competitiveness and demand.

Following GAO report Daschle, Johnson to seek amendment to fund COOL, Rod Smith, Feedstuffs, 9/15/03 - The U.S. General Accounting Office (GAO) added another brick to the fire in the meat counter last week with a report that concluded cost estimates for implementing country-of-origin labeling (COOL) and other arguments against COOL are overstated.
The report was accepted by COOL proponents as evidence that the COOL law can be implemented easily and efficiently without burdening the beef industry and consumers with the confusion and costs others say will occur.
The report was greeted by COOL opponents as missing the point about costs and, at the same time, was interpreted by them as finding that implementation can't be modeled on existing programs and that the law will be negative to trade into and out of the U.S.

Battle on COOL expected at House-Senate conference, Sally Schuff, Feedstuffs, 7/21/03 - The stage is set for a major battle on country-of-origin labeling (COOL) when the fiscal 2004 appropriations bills go to a House-Senate conference.
The House bill, after a bitter floor fight, retained its "Bonilla Amendment," which gives a one-year timeout on mandatory labeling by removing U.S. Department of Agriculture funds for implementation of the mandatory program on beef, pork and lamb.

Funding or no funding, beef and pork must have origin label under COOL, Rod Smith, Feedstuffs, 7/14/03 - Even if the U.S. Department of Agriculture is prohibited from further developing and implementing country-of-origin labeling (COOL) for beef and pork, the COOL law still requires that beef and pork be labeled at retail next year as to country of origin, according to USDA general counsel Nancy Bryson.
Bryson made the comment during her testimony at the House Agriculture Committee hearing on COOL last month (Feedstuffs, June 30).

House shows inclination to hold up, revisit COOL to avoid unintended 'beast', Rod Smith, Feedstuffs, 6/30/03 - The arguments for and opposed to country-of-origin labeling (COOL) that have been made several times at country listening posts in recent weeks were sounded at a grander stage last week as the House Agriculture Committee held the first full congressional hearing on the issue.
It was apparent from the opening statements of the committee leaders that most of the House believes the COOL provision that was written into the 2002 farm law was hastily and ill conceived and needs to be revisited for modifications if not termination.
It was also apparent from the comments of the committee members that there may well be a congressional move to mandate animal identification -- another unintended consequence of COOL as debate on the issue has provided the forum for larger issues related to animal health and homeland security.

House unit withholds COOL funds; ag committee chair calls for hearing, Rod Smith, Feedstuffs, 6/23/03 - The House agriculture appropriations subcommittee effectively put the country-of-origin labeling (COOL) rule for meat on a one-year hold last week, inserting language into the agriculture appropriations bill that the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) cannot use fiscal 2004 funding to enforce mandatory COOL for meat products.
House Agriculture Committee chair Bob Goodlatte (R., Va.) then called for a hearing on the rule for this week.

PSF ready for COOL, begins source verification, Rod Smith, Feedstuffs, 6/2/03 - Premium Standard Farms (PSF) announced last week that the company will begin providing retailers with fresh pork products that comply with the country-of-origin labeling (COOL) rule because the company can certify that all its pork comes from pigs born and grown at its company-owned and contract farms in the U.S. and processed at its plants in Missouri and North Carolina. The announcement makes PSF the first producer to participate in the voluntary implementation of the COOL rule, which becomes mandatory next year.
Arnot said PSF believes the law will have negative consequences for U.S. agriculture, including pork production and trade, but will comply with it. The announcement said the company will begin providing source verification effective July 1.

Differing parties speak to problems, opportunities for producers in COOL, Rod Smith, Feedstuffs, 5/5/03 - "The country-of-origin labeling law (COOL) "is rife with problems," according to Gary Machan, vice president for hog procurement at Tyson Foods Inc., and "is simple" to implement, manage and verify, according to Jay Miller, a cow/calf producer from Washington, Va., and chair of the marketing committee of R-Calf USA."

USDA official says COOL puts burden on producers that could be 'significant', Rod Smith, Feedstuffs, 4/28/03 - "The U.S. Department of Agriculture does not support the country-of-origin labeling (COOL) law because of the "burden" it will force on the entire meat production system -- producers, packers and retailers -- potential adverse impact on trade and "unintended consequences (that) could be significant," USDA undersecretary for marketing and regulatory programs Bill Hawks said last week. However, he said USDA and the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) will carry out the law "to the best of (their) abilities," he told the Senate Agriculture Committee marketing subcommittee at a hearing in Joplin, Mo."

Hawks: USDA Remains Anti-COOL, dtn AgDayta, 04/23/03 - "The U.S. meat industry, from livestock ranchers to retail outlets, will likely suffer significantly under the expensive burdens of a country-of-origin labeling law that will be implemented in September, 2004, USDA Under Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs Bill Hawks said Tuesday, according to OsterDowJones."

Groups urge AMS to make COOL less burdensome, more U.S. focused, Rod Smith, Feedstuffs, 4/21/03 - "A number of front-line producer groups have submitted comments to the U.S. Department of Agriculture concerning country of origin labeling (COOL) as USDA's Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) begins moving the current COOL rule from voluntary to mandatory status."

Carpenter: Documentation will be absolute for COOL, Rod Smith, Feedstuffs, 3/10/03 - "The country-of-origin labeling (COOL) rule will absolutely require documentation and traceability back to the animal of origin for beef, lamb and pork that are marketed at retail stores, according to Barry Carpenter, director of the livestock and seed division of the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS)."

AMS writing label rule that works despite criticism about cost, confusion, Rod Smith, Feedstuffs, 12/2/02 - "In crafting farm policy this year, Congress instructed the U.S. Department of Agriculture to create a process through which certain farm commodities, including beef and pork, would identify on the label the country in which the commodity was produced."