News Update
July 20, 2007

Ag Committee Advances COOL Legislation

The House Agriculture Committee last night advanced a provision addressing mandatory country-of-origin labeling (COOL) requirements for beef and other meat products.

According the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA), the committee approved a version of country-of-origin labeling that would distinguish U.S. beef from imported product, including U.S. beef blended with imported product and beef from foreign-born cattle fed domestically.

Jay Truitt, NCBA’s vice president of government affairs, said the measure offers many improvements for the nation’s cattlemen. “Our top priority from the beginning has been that the benefits of COOL must outweigh the costs for cattle producers,” he said. “We took some major steps in that direction last night.”

Points of contention remain, however. As NCBA notes, poultry — beef’s primary competitor — is still completely exempt from all requirements imposed on beef, pork and lamb. And the labeling law could cause misconceptions that it will address food safety issues, the organization stated.

Ranchers-Cattlemen Action Legal Fund United Stockgrowers of America (R-CALF USA) also released a statement expressing their support for Thursday’s actions. However, R-CALF USA chief executive officer (CEO) Bill Bullard said there is still work to be done.

“The next step is for the 2007 Farm Bill to be voted on by the full House of Representatives, so we must continue building support among the entire 435 members of the House … ,” Bullard said.

Country-of-origin labeling is scheduled for implementation September 2008.

Bush Creates Food Safety Working Group

President Bush has announced the establishment of a Cabinet-level working group to recommend how to guarantee the safety of imported food and other products brought into the country.

According to the American Meat Institute (AMI), the panel will consist of the Secretary of Health and Human Services, who will serve as chair; the Secretaries of State, Treasury, Agriculture, Commerce, Transportation and Homeland Security; the Attorney General; the director of the Office of Management and Budget; the United States Trade Representative; the administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA); chairman of the Consumer Product Safety Commission; and others appointed by the chair.

“It’s important for the American people to know their government is on top of this situation and constantly reviewing procedures and practices,” Bush said after his first meeting with the group. The panel is expected to report its recommendations to the president in 60 days.

The working group will review current procedures and methods aimed at ensuring the safety of products exported to the United States. This will include reviewing existing cooperation with foreign governments, foreign manufacturers and other entities in the exporting country's private sector regarding their inspection and certification of exported goods and factories producing exported goods. The group will also consider whether additional initiatives should be undertaken with respect to exporting countries or companies.

Additionally, the panel will identify potential means to promote appropriate steps by U.S. importers in order to enhance the safety of imported products.  These include identifying best practices by U.S. importers in selection of foreign manufacturers, inspecting manufacturing facilities, inspecting goods produced on their behalf either before export or before distribution in the United States, identifying origin of products and safeguarding the supply chain.

The panel is also charged with surveying authorities and practices of Federal, State, and local government agencies regarding the safety of imports to identify best practices and enhance coordination among agencies.

Visit www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2007/07/20070718-6.html for more information.

— Release provided by AMI.

North Dakota Experiences Second Anthrax Case

A second case of anthrax in the Red River Valley drainage system this year means North Dakota livestock producers need to be vigilant, North Dakota State University (NDSU) Extension veterinarian Charlie Stoltenow warns.

According to NDSU’s “Ranch Hand” newsletter, South Dakota reported the first 2007 case in late April, and Minnesota reported the second in early July. In both instances, neither animal was vaccinated.

Although cases of anthrax develop in the region almost every year, the occurrence is very unpredictable and dependant on environmental conditions, according to NDSU.

“In our experience, these wet, then dry, hot weather pattern cycles set up environmental conditions that favor the occurrence of anthrax in the region,” Stoltenow says. “We do not want a repeat of 2005.” More than 500 confirmed cases of anthrax were reported in North Dakota in 2005. Estimates are the disease killed more than 1,000 animals in the state that year.

“Pay attention to your flocks and herds,” Stoltenow advises producers. Anyone who suspects a case of anthrax should not move a carcass or open it. Producers should have a veterinarian check any unexplained sudden deaths. North Dakota has specific rules and requirements for the reporting and disposal of cases of anthrax. Stoltenow urges producers to consult with their local veterinarian.

To prevent livestock from getting anthrax, all herds should be vaccinated, Stoltenow says.

Contact your local veterinarian for more information or call the State Board of Animal Health at 701-328-2655. For the latest information on anthrax, visit www.ag.ndsu.edu/pubs/ansci/beef/v561w.htm, or contact Stoltenow at 701-231-7522 or charles.stoltenow@ndsu.edu. 

— Adapted from NDSU’s “Ranch Hand” newsletter. 

— compiled by Crystal Albers, associate editor, Angus Productions Inc.