11/06/08 COOL surprise

Surprises can be good or not so good. I'm Jeff Keane; I'll be back right after this with a COOL surprise. We all hope surprises are favorable in nature and to me a new announcement fits this category. Information from the U.S. Cattlemen's Association (USCA) states that Tyson Fresh Meats, Inc., and Cargill Meat Solutions have decided to comply with the intent of the mandatory Country of Origin labeling law. Tyson reported to its customers that 90 percent of all fresh retail beef and pork cuts it markets meets the criteria for a USA label. When Tyson made the decision, Cargill Meat Solutions quickly followed that lead. The reason I feel good about this news is that just a few weeks ago most of the major meat packers were looking at a label that could potentially read, product of USA, Canada or Mexico. Definitely this would be an easy out for the packers, but not what many in the U.S. beef industry wanted. Now, at least beef cuts from those two large processors will be labeled product of USA if it is all United States beef. Product of mixed origins will be labeled as such, so there should be proper information for consumers to make their choice. USCA now hopes JBS Swift and Company and National Beef Packing Company will follow the direction of Tyson and Cargill. One thing to remember  JBS Swift is owned by a Brazilian Company  that could be interesting. I'm Jeff Keane.