May 3, 2007
Cattlemen Support Legislation to Implement COOL
Before USDA Continues with OTM Rule
Washington, D.C. - U.S. cattle producers were pleased to learn that just this afternoon Sen. Byron Dorgan, D-N.D., introduced legislation that would prohibit the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) from allowing the importation of Canadian cattle that are over 30 months (OTM) of age, and beef derived from Canadian cattle over 30 months of age until country-of-origin labeling (COOL) is implemented.
Sen. Kent Conrad, D-N.D. and Sen. Mike Enzi, R-Wyo., are co-sponsors of the legislation. R-CALF USA encourages other members of the Senate to co-sponsor the bill, and hopes that similar legislation will be brought forward from the U.S. House of Representatives.
"COOL has been a law on the books since the passage of the 2002 Farm Bill, and we're grateful that Congress is taking the lead to prevent higher-risk Canadian cattle and beef from entering the U.S. without at least giving consumers information about where the cattle and beef originated," said R-CALF USA COOL Committee Chair Mike Schultz. "Consumers have made it very clear they want to know where there food comes from. It's just unfortunate that Canada's many problems with BSE (bovine spongiform encephalopathy) are what it took to get this train moving again.
"R-CALF wants Congress to force USDA to obey the law and implement COOL, and we're willing to work with Congress to make sure that USDA writes a COOL rule for beef patterned after COOL rule for fish and shellfish - a rule based on common sense that won't financially overburden anyone - producers, packers or the retailers," he continued. "In fact, once COOL is in place for beef, U.S. cattle producers may very well see more demand for their product, with the end result being the ability to command a higher price for beef from cattle born, raised and slaughtered here in the United States.
"COOL would at least allow consumers to distinguish imported product from domestic product, and that's critically important if USDA keeps trying to relax our border protections," Schultz said.
R-CALF USA CEO Bill Bullard pointed out many consumers have the misperception that the USDA inspection sticker on products means the item was produced right here in the United States.
"The USDA inspection sticker is placed on all products - imported or domestic - and some imported beef actually is marked with the USDA quality grade stamp," Bullard explained. "COOL is an essential informational and educational tool for consumers who are particular about the food they feed their families.
Bullard said that R-CALF USA members want protections against Canada's BSE problem that go beyond country-of -origin labeling, but the implementation of COOL would be an important first step in developing a comprehensive strategy that helps insulate the U.S. cattle herd and U.S. consumers from disease problems of other countries.
Cattlemen Support Legislation to Implement COOL
Before USDA Continues with OTM Rule
Washington, D.C. - U.S. cattle producers were pleased to learn that just this afternoon Sen. Byron Dorgan, D-N.D., introduced legislation that would prohibit the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) from allowing the importation of Canadian cattle that are over 30 months (OTM) of age, and beef derived from Canadian cattle over 30 months of age until country-of-origin labeling (COOL) is implemented.
Sen. Kent Conrad, D-N.D. and Sen. Mike Enzi, R-Wyo., are co-sponsors of the legislation. R-CALF USA encourages other members of the Senate to co-sponsor the bill, and hopes that similar legislation will be brought forward from the U.S. House of Representatives.
"COOL has been a law on the books since the passage of the 2002 Farm Bill, and we're grateful that Congress is taking the lead to prevent higher-risk Canadian cattle and beef from entering the U.S. without at least giving consumers information about where the cattle and beef originated," said R-CALF USA COOL Committee Chair Mike Schultz. "Consumers have made it very clear they want to know where there food comes from. It's just unfortunate that Canada's many problems with BSE (bovine spongiform encephalopathy) are what it took to get this train moving again.
"R-CALF wants Congress to force USDA to obey the law and implement COOL, and we're willing to work with Congress to make sure that USDA writes a COOL rule for beef patterned after COOL rule for fish and shellfish - a rule based on common sense that won't financially overburden anyone - producers, packers or the retailers," he continued. "In fact, once COOL is in place for beef, U.S. cattle producers may very well see more demand for their product, with the end result being the ability to command a higher price for beef from cattle born, raised and slaughtered here in the United States.
"COOL would at least allow consumers to distinguish imported product from domestic product, and that's critically important if USDA keeps trying to relax our border protections," Schultz said.
R-CALF USA CEO Bill Bullard pointed out many consumers have the misperception that the USDA inspection sticker on products means the item was produced right here in the United States.
"The USDA inspection sticker is placed on all products - imported or domestic - and some imported beef actually is marked with the USDA quality grade stamp," Bullard explained. "COOL is an essential informational and educational tool for consumers who are particular about the food they feed their families.
Bullard said that R-CALF USA members want protections against Canada's BSE problem that go beyond country-of -origin labeling, but the implementation of COOL would be an important first step in developing a comprehensive strategy that helps insulate the U.S. cattle herd and U.S. consumers from disease problems of other countries.
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