USDA issues final rule on mandatory COOL

USDA announced details of the final regulation for the mandatory country of origin labelling programme required by the 2002 and 2008 farm bills, which takes effect on March 16.

 

The rule covers muscle cuts and ground beef, lamb, chicken, goat and pork; wild and farm-raised fish and shellfish; perishable agricultural commodities.

 

Commodities covered under COOL must be labelled with indications of its country of origin, method of production.

 

The rule prescribes specific criteria that must be met for a covered commodity to bear a ''United States country of origin'' declaration.

 

In addition, the rule also contains provisions for labelling covered commodities of foreign origin, meat products from multiple origins, ground meat products, as well as commingled covered commodities.

 

Meat companies have opposed the rule, saying it will result in additional expenses for labour, labels and changes to facilities needed to separate foreign and domestic products.

 

 

CPC remains opposed to the mandatory initiative, seeing it as a barrier to trade.

 

CPC president, Jurgen Preugchas said there is an increasing body of market information coming from both the US and Canada pointing clearly to COOL having seriously disrupted trade in live swine between the two countries.

 

Preugchas said they will continue to assess the impact of the COOL on Canadian producers and will need an evaluation period to determine the impact of these changes in the marketplace.

 

Canadian producers are alarmed that the COOL requirements are destroying a trade relationship that mutually benefits both countries, in particular the US export market for Canadian live swine.

 

Canadian pork industry enjoys a solid world-wide reputation for excellent quality and high animal health status.