Livestock Producers Comment On COOL
US - Citing a new consumer poll, lobbyists for livestock producers continue to push for country of origin labeling on beef products.
23 August 2007
2 minute read
"These changes will help address any legitimate concerns about the costs of COOL, while preserving the full benefits for producers and consumers,"
R-CALF spokesman Mike Schultz said.
An online poll suggests that 90 percent of consumers believe knowing the origins of meat allows them to make safer food choices. The poll is included in comments a non-profit organization made to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
USDA has asked for public comment prior to the adoption of a formal rule requiring country of origin labeling, known as COOL.
R-CALF USA, short for Ranchers-Cattlemen Action Legal Fund, United Stockgrowers of America, urged the agency to issue the new rule without delay. The House recently adopted a measure enforcing country of origin labeling. The matter goes to the Senate in September.
The online poll, which surveyed more than 4,500 people, was conducted by Zogby International, which has measured public opinion on numerous issues since 1984.
The U.S. Cattlemen's Association also submitted comments.
R-CALF said the rule would build on the progress of COOL for fish, which was implemented in April 2005. But the organization suggested several changes to the draft rule for beef it says would aid implementation as well as lower production costs.
"These changes will help address any legitimate concerns about the costs of COOL, while preserving the full benefits for producers and consumers," R-CALF spokesman Mike Schultz said. "Our proposals can be implemented under the law as currently written ... in the House version of the Farm Bill."
