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U.S. Cattlemen’s supports return of COOL petition

The policy director of the U.S. Cattlemen’s Association says they have filed support for a petition that would bring back Country of Origin Labeling (COOL). Lia Biondo tells Brownfield Ag News their letter to the USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) supports the return of the “Made in the U.S.A.” label which would close the current loophole, “That allows processors to bring in imported beef product, have it undergo a significant transformation within our borders which can be as insignificant as simply sticking a knife in the product or repackaging it. And, then claiming the Made In The USA label.”

Biondo says more and more ranchers are “finally seeing the benefit” of Country of Origin Labeling, “A gradual and definitive increase in live cattle prices as soon as COOL was instituted. And, conversely, they saw a historic, massive drop in cattle prices following the repeal of Country of Origin Labeling in 2015.”

Biondo says both R-CALF USA and the NCBA strongly fought the COOL label and won. She says the petition process is one way to bring it back and that U.S. Cattlemen’s has the support of the National Farmers Union. The Organization for Competitive Markets (OCM) filed the petition with the FSIS.

THE CATTLE PRODUCERS FORUM

AUDIO: Interview with Lia Biondo ~