Meat industry continues to squabble on COOL
January 27, 2014 | 09:12 PM
Earlier today, several meat industry groups including the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, the National Chicken Council, the National Pork Producers Council and the American Meat Institute said they would oppose the farm bill because it does not make changes to country-of-origin labeling (COOL) or the Packers and Stockyards Act.
NCBA and NPPC announced they would hold a news conference with the National Association of Manufacturers on Tuesday to stress the potential impact of trade on COOL.
The Canadian Embassy also noted that it has threatened retaliation over COOL.
Meanwhile, the United States Cattlemen’s Association, which opposed any changes to the country-of-origin labeling program and restrictions on the Agriculture Department’s ability to make changes to the Packers and Stockyards Act, issued a formal endorsement of the bill.
“(USCA) extends its appreciation to House and Senate Agriculture Committee members and staff for their work to bring a comprehensive farm bill before Congress for final passage,” the statement said.
USCA Vice President Jess Peterson said, “Production agriculture, along with consumers who benefit from a healthy and affordable food supply, are all winners today thanks to the farm bill principals. The U.S. Cattlemen's Association urges the House and Senate to pass this bill as to allow for a quick signature and final seal of approval by President Obama.”
Peterson also noted that venison will be covered under COOL for the first time.
Food and Water Watch and its allies praised the decision to leave out the proposed changes to COOL.
“The farm bill conferees must resist the last-ditch counter-attack by the meatpacking and poultry lobbies and stand up for the millions of working farmers and ranchers across the country and the hundreds of millions of consumers that support the country-of-origin labels that were finalized in 2013,” said a coalition organized by Food and Water Watch.
“The farm bill conference report should not make any changes to country-of-origin labeling or livestock reform provisions that could undermine support for final passage of the farm bill. Now is not the time to retreat on these meaningful labels and protections that farm and consumer advocates have fought for since before the 2002 farm bill.”
The groups in the Food and Water Watch Coalition include:
NCBA and NPPC announced they would hold a news conference with the National Association of Manufacturers on Tuesday to stress the potential impact of trade on COOL.
The Canadian Embassy also noted that it has threatened retaliation over COOL.
Meanwhile, the United States Cattlemen’s Association, which opposed any changes to the country-of-origin labeling program and restrictions on the Agriculture Department’s ability to make changes to the Packers and Stockyards Act, issued a formal endorsement of the bill.
“(USCA) extends its appreciation to House and Senate Agriculture Committee members and staff for their work to bring a comprehensive farm bill before Congress for final passage,” the statement said.
USCA Vice President Jess Peterson said, “Production agriculture, along with consumers who benefit from a healthy and affordable food supply, are all winners today thanks to the farm bill principals. The U.S. Cattlemen's Association urges the House and Senate to pass this bill as to allow for a quick signature and final seal of approval by President Obama.”
Peterson also noted that venison will be covered under COOL for the first time.
Food and Water Watch and its allies praised the decision to leave out the proposed changes to COOL.
“The farm bill conferees must resist the last-ditch counter-attack by the meatpacking and poultry lobbies and stand up for the millions of working farmers and ranchers across the country and the hundreds of millions of consumers that support the country-of-origin labels that were finalized in 2013,” said a coalition organized by Food and Water Watch.
“The farm bill conference report should not make any changes to country-of-origin labeling or livestock reform provisions that could undermine support for final passage of the farm bill. Now is not the time to retreat on these meaningful labels and protections that farm and consumer advocates have fought for since before the 2002 farm bill.”
The groups in the Food and Water Watch Coalition include:
- Buckeye Quality Beef Association
- Cattle Producers of Louisiana
- Cattle Producers of Washington
- Colorado Independent CattleGrowers Association
- Campaign for Contract Agriculture Reform
- Food & Water Watch
- Hmong National Development, Inc.
- Independent Beef Association of North Dakota (I-BAND)
- Independent Cattlemen of Nebraska
- Independent Cattlemen of Wyoming
- Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy
- Kansas Cattlemen's Association
- Missouri's Best Beef Co-Operative
- Missouri Rural Crisis Center
- Murray County, Oklahoma Independent Cattlemen's Association
- National Farmers Union
- National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition
- Nevada Live Stock Association
- Northern Wisconsin Beef Producers
- Organization for Competitive Markets (OCM)
- R-CALF USA
- Rural Advancement Foundation International USA
- South Dakota Stockgrowers Association
