09/04/08 COOL implementation

COOL is coming. I'm Jeff Keane; I'm not talking about global cooling or global warming but I'll be back right after this to tell you what I am talking about. COOL will be here at the end of this month. In fact, Country of Origin Labeling or COOL will be officially implemented on September 30th. COOL will require meat from cattle, sheep, goats and hogs to have a label indicating the country where that meat originated. The debate to put COOL into effect has been a running battle for years. Politicians from both major parties have used COOL as leverage to pass or reject legislation. Beef producers have been on different sides of the argument and most beef packers have always been against the idea. I have always supported the concept, so now we will finally find out if it is a good or negative move for the meat industry. Most consumers I have talked with definitely want to know where their food comes from. I think it will be a positive factor for American meat products, if not, we will soon know. Fish products have had Country of Origin labeling for some time now. When I last purchased fish I did look at the label and yes I bought the package that stated "product of USA." I know the inspections and regulations covering producing, harvesting, processing and shipping U.S. products are probably the most stringent in the world. That means something to me and I believe it means something to most consumers. I'm Jeff Keane.