COOL
Country Of Origin Labeling

It's your choice to agree, or disagree.
However, following the guidelines ARE NOT AN OPTION . . .
THEY ARE MANDATORY EFFECTIVE SEPTEMBER 30th, 2008

Country of Origin Labeling (COOL) as it exists under the law as enacted in 2002 and as amended by the 2008 Farm Bill commences September 30, 2008.

A meat product from beef (including veal), pork, lamb, chicken or goat must bear a COOL label or is subject to labeling providing COOL information.

Product of the United States – A covered commodity is eligible for designation as “Product of the U.S.” only if it is derived “exclusively from an animal that is exclusively born, raised and slaughtered in the United States.

Multiple Countries Of Origin - A product is deemed to have multiple countries of origin if the animal from which it was derived was born and/or raised in a different country or countries and then slaughtered in the U.S. Covered commodities in this category would have to identify all the relevant countries.

RECORD KEEPING REQUIREMENTS

          Any person engaged in the business of supplying a covered commodity to a retailer, directly or indirectly, must maintain records to establish and identify the immediate previous source (if applicable) and immediate subsequent recipient of the product. Such records must identify the product unique to that transaction by means of a lot number or other unique identifier, for a period of one (1) year from the date of the transaction.
          Establishments that slaughter livestock are considered initiating suppliers of a covered commodity. The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS), the agency that will administer the law, has indicated that the initiating supplier (packer) either must have the records in its possession or have access to records of the livestock supplier that substantiate the country of origin of the meat product at issue.
          At retail, records and other documentary evidence relied upon at the point of sale to establish a product's country(ies) of origin must be available during normal business hours to USDA representatives for so long as the product is on hand. For pre-labeled products, the label itself is sufficient evidence on which the retailer may rely to establish a product's origin.

SO, WHAT DO YOU NEED TO DO?

As a buyer of livestock, you must receive and keep on file a
"Country of Origin Labeling Affidavit/Declaration" for the livestock you purchased.

As a Seller of livestock you need to sign an affidavit certifying the origin of the livestock.

We also think the day is coming, though not yet here,
when you will need to obtain a premise I.D. and identify all your livestock.
Perhaps you should think about doing so now but that's optional, not mandatory.

SO, WHAT DO WE, AS A MARKET,
NEED TO DO?

          We must have on file from you a signed "Country Of Origin Labeling Affidavit/Declaration.  Click Here To Download Country Of Origin Labeling Affidavit/Declaration  This is a PDF file and you must have Adobe Acrobat Reader which is a free download by going to www.adobe.com.
          Complete the Affidavit/Declaration and bring it with you the next time you sell livestock.

          We must provide each buyer (slaughter or back to the farm) verification that we have on file from you the "Country Of Origin Labeling Affidavit/Declaration.  Basically, we have the first 6 months to fully implement the program at Manchester Livestock Auction.   After 6 months if you don't have an affidavit on file, you can expect your livestock to sell for significantly less (or be returned back to you at your expense).

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          We here in the midwest are fortunate for many reasons.  As it relates to COOL, it is reasonable to believe there are few, if any livestock, that are not born and raised in the USA.  This cannot be said for other parts of the USA.

          That being said, we (you and our market) must still comply with COOL.  If you want to maintain upper price levels it is advisable to commence your own identification system.  While we realize this is a major change in the livestock industry and while we realize this is going to significantly increase paperwork for you ......... keep in mind our data base of clients numbers over 5,000 so imagine our volume of paperwork!!!

          USDA will not enforce COOL for the first 6 months after its official September 30th implementation.  Instead it will use that period of time to educate retailers about COOL's requirements.  During this 6 month period producers and markets will commence record keeping requirements in order to "be on board" when the 6 month period ends.