USDA Proposed COOL Amendment Stirs Controversy

USDA Proposed COOL Amendment Stirs Controversy

I’m KayDee Gilkey with today’s Open Range.

The USDA has proposed adding more detailed country-of-origin information be placed on meat labels, giving where the animal was born, raised and slaughtered as an amendment to the mandatory Country of Origin Labeling (COOL) rule. National Cattlemen’s Beef Association President Elect Bob McCan discusses NCBA's position on the issue.

McCan: “There is no regulatory fix to bring this COOL law into compliance with the WTO ruling that will satisfy Canada and Mexico. Unfortunately, this additional labeling is dis-allowing for co-mingling of muscle cuts will only going to increase costs for meat processors and retailers in this country which in turn could increase cost of beef for consumers. This particular amendment is going to do absolutely nothing to help come compliance.

McCan says that neither of our neighbors to the North or South are happy about this proposed USDA amendment.

McCan: “These countries are our biggest trading partners and if we can’t fix this WTO, we are facing some pretty serious retaliatory measures from Canada and Mexico.”

Other rancher member organizations, R-CALF and the United Stockgrowers of America support the new USDA amendment arguing it will bring the U.S. into compliance.

As a rancher, whether you agree or disagree with the proposed amendment, you can send your comments to USDA on the proposed rule by April 11th.