USDA clarifies COOL compliance for livestock producers

摘要

USDA's Agricultural Marketing Service has issued clarifications for livestock producers regarding use of affidavits and other documentation to comply with the interim final rule on country-of-origin labeling. Posted on the AMS web site (www.ams.usda.gov). the single-page advisory notes that livestock themselves aren't considered covered commodities under COOL, adding, "However, only producers have first-hand knowledge concerning the origin of their animals. Definitive origin information must be provided to slaughter facilities so that meat covered commodities can be accurately labeled at retail. Presumption or origin by packers and other entities in the marketing chain is not permitted. For example, it is not acceptable to assume that if an animal has no ear tag and/or brands identifying that the animal was born and/or raised in Canada or Mexico, the animal is of V.S. origin."