09/17/08 USDA official to talk mandatory COOL in Toppenish

Washington Ag September 17, 2008 Mandatory country of origin labeling for meat at retail goes into effect at the end of this month. Cattlemen with questions about COOL are invited to attend an informational meeting scheduled for the Toppenish Livestock Commission next Tuesday September 23rd. The meeting arranged by the Washington Cattlemen's Association will feature USDA undersecretary Bruce Knight who will be answering questions about record keeping and implementation of COOL. Knight says livestock industry developed affidavits for producers will be part of COOL to certify country of origin. Knight: "Under country of origin labeling the impact lies with the retailer. So who we regulate is the grocery store, but it will eventually ripple back to the producer. Do they have evidence that this animal is of whatever origin is claimed, the U.S., Canada, or product of Mexico. And one of the things a producer can utilize is an affidavit. Something that they have written out and signed that says that this was of U.S. origin. Or official ID or any one of those methodologies." The meeting on the 23rd at the Toppenish Livestock Commission will be at 4 p.m. prior to the evening feeder calve sale. I'm Bob Hoff.