Country of Origin Labeling (COOL)
Mark Whitney on 14 Jan 2008
On May 13th, 2002, then-President Bush signed into law the 2002 Farm Bill that included a new requirement for country of origin labeling (COOL) for beef, lamb, pork, fish, perishable ag commodities and peanuts. Originally slated to be in effect by the end of September 2004, enacting of the COOL law has twice been delayed (with the exception of farm-raised and wild fish and shellfish) but is now due to be carried out beginning midnight September 30th of 2008. Unlike the last two rounds, initial indications are that COOL will not be delayed, and instead will become a reality come next fall. Up until this point, voluntary guidelines have been in effect, with participation not required for livestock, packing or retailing industries.
The COOL issue has been the topic of much debate. Concerns over foreign animal diseases, including avian flu, BSE, and a variety of food safety issues with food products imported from China have really pushed the COOL issue into the spotlight. Proponents argue that COOL is necessary to enhance the security of our nation’s food supply, and is needed to allow consumers to choose U.S. products if they so choose. Detractors feel that requiring COOL will greatly increase costs throughout the food chain and will ultimately weaken U.S. meat production and sales due to increased verification and paperwork requirements.
Regardless of whether livestock producers are for or against COOL, they should begin making preparations for its implementation this upcoming fall. Individuals should begin communicating with their packers to determine if the packers will have any requirements or if their will be any contract ramifications. In the case of imported products, the food label will have to indicate where it started, was grown/raised and processed. For example, a meat label for pork might read, “From hogs born in Canada, raised and slaughtered in the United States.” Therefore, producers considering purchasing isoweans from Canada need to ensure first and foremost that their packer will be willing to take them once they reach market weight. Even if you are purchasing isoweans or other age/size pigs that are U.S. born, you should begin insisting on records or receipts from the seller of the animals that will then serve as proof of origin. Keep abreast to what is going on at the House and Senate level concerning ratification and/or implementation of COOL, and ensure you are prepared should the proposed law become a reality, which it appears it will.
Mark Whitney
