Large meat processors intended to circumvent both the intent and letter of country-of-label origin labeling (COOL) by labeling all products as "origin of multiple countries."  Recently, however, three of the largest meat processors have change their tune.

In October, Tyson Fresh Meats Senior Group Vice President James Lochner announced they would meet the COOL requirements as established by Congress.  National Farmers Union President Tom Buis commended Lochner.  "In letters to cattle and hog producers, along with retail customers, Tyson's recognizes that around 90 percent of all fresh retail beef and pork cuts meet the definition of USA and would qualify for the label as directed in the 2008 Farm Bill," Buis said. "I commend Tyson Meats for their willingness to step froward and take the lead."

Following Tyson's decision, Cargill and JBS Swift & Co. announced they would comply with the intent of mandatory COOL and label their products with the "Product of USA" label as well.

"National Farmers Union has been a long-time advocate for COOL, investing significant time and effort into the program, and it is gratifying that we are now working together to move the law forward as intended," Buis said.

Also in October, Senators Hillary Clinton, D-NY, and Russ Feingold, D-WI, introduced legislation that would expand mandatory COOL to include dairy products.

Buis said that as both consumer and producer demand for COOL increases, it makes sense to expand COOL to other products.  Both consumers and producers have consistently supported the measure.

COOL went into effect on September 30, 2008.

Reprinted from The National Farmers Union Newsletter, November 2008.