As we begin 2004 we all have high hopes and anticipation for a prosperous new year. One of our hopes this year involves the funding of the Country of Origin Labeling (COOL) Amendment.
This Amendment was passed by Congress and signed into law by President Bush as part of the Farm Bill in 2002. The provision requires labeling of all fruits, vegetables and meats with their country of origin. In order for meat to be labeled as U.S. products, the animal must be born, raised and processed in the United States. This program is voluntary until September 2004 when USDA must put rules in place to make the program mandatory.
The COOL Amendment would give consumers the right to know and choose the origin of their food. Labeling gives farmers and ranchers the opportunity to market their products to those consumers who choose domestically produced food for their families.
For months now, the program has been under attack by industry groups. This past summer, the House Agriculture Committee inserted a provision into the 2004 Agriculture Appropriations bill stripping out funding for labeling meat. Rep.Rehberg{R-MT} and Rep.Hooley {D-OR} offered an amendment on the House floor that would have reinstated the money. That notion failed by a narrow margin.
The Senate bill, which is unlikely to be amended before passage, contains full funding for Country of Origin Labeling. A House –Senate conference committee will decide whether full funding for Country of Origin Labeling goes into the final bill.
PLEASE CALL YOUR SENATORS AND REPRESENTATIVES TO DEFEND THIS PROGRAM THAT IS IMPORTANT FOR FAMILY FARMS, RANCHERS AND UNITED STATES CONSUMERS!
After the Mad Cow case in the state of Washington doesn’t it just make sense to have Country of Origin Labeling? Ask yourself what other products are purchased in the United States that does not have a tag or inscription designating where it was manufactured.
So why is our food, one of the most important aspects or our lives, not given an origin of production?
This is one of our biggest advantages at CRL Farms as we know the origin of our cattle and can deliver some of the best beef available in the industry.
Again please take time contacting your legislators and demand accountability from Congress.
Danny Schaefer
CRL Farms
