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Country of Origin
Labeling
Transcript of October 27, 2003 Press Briefing, USDA, October 27, 2003 -Transcript of teleconference with the press. Talking Points, USDA, October 27, 2003 - USDA's bullet point summary of the Major Points and Considerations of the Technical Requirements. Overview of the Proposed Rule, USDA, October 27, 2003 - Presentation converted from Powerpoint to an Adobe PDF. USDA Informational and Listening Session Presentation - The "Provisions of the Law" and "Current Thinking for the Regulation" presentation for the ongoing USDA sessions. USDA Agricultural Marketing Service COOL web site - This site contains a variety of information from the USDA regarding COOL. Some of the following contains direct links to specific information related to beef, swine and sheep. Informational sessions - Date and locations for the USDA listening and education sessions on COOL. All sessions will be held from 1-4 pm local time. (AMS Release No. 065-03) Product Labeling: Defining United States Cattle and United States Fresh Beef Products - The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is withdrawing an advance notice of proposed rulemaking (ANPR) entitled ``Product Labeling: Defining United States Cattle and United States Fresh Beef Products,'' which was published in the Federal Register on August 7, 2001. In the ANPR, the Agency requested comments on the need for regulations to clarify the definition of "United States cattle'' and "United States fresh beef products,'' and whether such products should bear labeling claims that are different from the claims that are permitted under FSIS'' current policy.
AnnouncementsApril 1, 2003 - USDA Announces Details of Informational Sessions on Country of Origin Labeling (AMS Release No. 065-03) March 5, 2003 - Veneman Announces Series of Listening Sessions on Country of Origin Labeling (Release No. 0080.03) January 22, 2003 - Notice of Request for Emergency Approval of a New Information Collection (No. LS-03-02 - Federal Register, Vol. 68, No. 14) January 17, 2003 - USDA Extends Comment Period for Country of Origin Information Collection (AMS Relaease No. 007-03) November 21, 2002 - Notice of Request for Emergency Approval of a New Information Collection (No. LS-02-16 - Federal Register, Vol. 65, No. 225) October 8, 2002 - USDA Issues Guidelines for Interim Voluntary Country of Origin Labeling (Release No. 0430.02)
Links and InformationNotice of Request for Emergency Approval of a New Information Collection - This publication describes the information and methods used to calculate the $1.9 billion cost of the first year's annual reporting and recordkeeping. Information on the Estimated Costs of the Annual Reporting and Recordkeeping Burden Associated with the Guidelines for the Interim Voluntary Country of Origin Labeling for Beef, Lamb, Pork, Fish, Fresh and Frozen Fruits and Vegetables, and Peanuts - This document answers six questions regarding additional records that will be required, entities required to keep the records, and the time and money required to establish and maintain the records. Examples of records that may be useful for COOL verification purposes - "The examples of documents and records listed in the attached tables, although extensive, are not inclusive of all documents and records that may be useful to verify compliance with the Country of Origin Labeling provisions of the 2002 Farm Bill. Additionally, maintaining documents and records such as those listed as examples will not necessarily ensure compliance. The documents listed are examples only and are for the sole purpose of providing information for producers, processors, and retailers to consider when establishing records for verification purposes. During a compliance audit conducted by USDA, auditors will review any and all documents to the extent necessary to arrive at an accurate decision on the level of compliance."
USDA Contacts for COOL and the voluntary guidelines
Eric Forman
William Sessions |
