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National & World Ag News Headlines |
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House Ag Leader Says COOL May Be Implemented by 2008
USAgNet - 06/19/2007
By late next year Americans will know the country of origin of food they are purchasing. That is if Congressional leaders get
their way. The highly controversial country of origin labeling law that was written into law in the 2002 farm bill has yet to be
enacted due to pressure from a number of food and farm groups. However, recent food safety scares such as contaminates in
lettuce, peanut butter, dog food and shrimp have led up to a highly pressurized issue in Washington. Apparently, consumers will
finally get their wish that food raised in the U.S. will be labeled as domestically-raised.
According to Farm News Iowa, House Agriculture Committee Chairman Collin Peterson told reporters last week in
Washington that the waiting is over and besides a few minor changes in the law which have to be ironed out, country of origin
labeling (COOL) will become the law of the land in 2008.
"Mandatory labeling of fruits, vegetables and meats will be implemented," Peterson said.
COOL is set to become law Sept. 30, 2008.
Adamantly opposed to the law are several organizations, many that are trying to discredit the law saying that labeling will force
small operations out of business and lead to even more costs for domestic-raised products thereby giving imported products a
stronger hold on the market. American producers are banking on the fact that the consumer will choose U.S.-grown products
as American food safety standards are perceived as higher than standards in other countries.
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