News Update
Jan. 12, 2009

USDA Issues Final Rule on Mandatory Country-of-Origin Labeling

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today announced details of the final regulation for the mandatory country of origin labeling (mCOOL) program required by the 2002 and 2008 farm bills. The full text of the final rule will be published in the Jan. 15, 2009, edition of the Federal Register. The rule becomes effective March 16, 2009, 60 days after the date of publication. Copies of the final rule and additional information are on display online at http://www.ams.usda.gov/COOL.

The rule covers muscle cuts and ground beef, lamb, chicken, goat and pork; wild and farm-raised fish and shellfish; perishable agricultural commodities (specifically fresh and frozen fruits and vegetables); macadamia nuts; pecans; ginseng and peanuts.

Commodities covered under COOL must be labeled at retail to indicate its country of origin. For fish and shellfish, the method of production — wild or farm-raised, — must be specified. Commodities are excluded from mandatory COOL if the commodity is an ingredient in a processed food item.

The definition of a processed food item remains unchanged from the Aug. 1, 2008, interim final rule. Excluded from COOL labeling are items derived from a covered commodity that has undergone a physical or chemical change — such as cooking, curing or smoking — or that has been combined with other covered commodities or other substantive food components such as chocolate, breading and tomato sauce.

Also exempt are foodservice establishments, such as restaurants, lunchrooms, cafeterias, food stands, bars, lounges and similar enterprises.

The final rule outlines the requirements for labeling covered commodities and the recordkeeping requirements for retailers and suppliers. The law provides for penalties of up to $1,000 per violation for both retailers and suppliers not complying with the law.

The rule prescribes specific criteria that must be met for a covered commodity to bear a “United States country of origin” declaration. In addition, the rule also contains provisions for labeling covered commodities of foreign origin, meat products from multiple origins, ground meat products, as well as commingled covered commodities.

USDA plans to make funding available to accelerate and expand training of state cooperator employees, initiate development of an automated review tracking system, conduct a retailer survey, conduct audits of the retail supply chain and continue conducting education and outreach activities.

Currently, USDA has cooperative agreements with 42 states to conduct retail surveillance reviews. USDA will conduct the retail reviews in the states not covered by a cooperative agreement and perform the supply chain audits.

— Release provided by USDA.

Animal Welfare Approved Program Awards First Round of Good Husbandry Grants

President of the Animal Welfare Institute Cathy Liss and Director of the Animal Welfare Approved program Andrew Gunther announce the first round of Good Husbandry Grants. Thirty-four recipients representing 17 states have been awarded grants ranging from $500 to $8,549 during this inaugural round. This initiative is designed to support farmers and processors by funding innovative projects with the greatest potential impact for improving the welfare of farm animals.

The Animal Welfare Approved program and food label promote the well-being of animals and the sustainability of humane family farms, uniting conscientious consumers with farmers who raise their animals with compassion. Animal Welfare Approved certifies independent family farmers who raise their animals with compassion and allows these farms to use the seal on their products. This accreditation was recently endorsed by the World Society for the Protection of Animals as having the most stringent animal welfare standards of any third-party certifier.

“It is a challenging time for independent farmers who are weathering the current economic challenges. As consumers demand more sustainable, high-welfare food choices, Animal Welfare Approved is one way farmers can differentiate themselves in the marketplace and add value to their product. Through this program we are facilitating innovations that improve welfare,” says Gunther.

Examples of projects funded include development and expansion of pasture-based poultry operations, assembly of a Mobile Processing Unit (MPU) in North Carolina that will be shared among a group of Animal Welfare Approved farmers, a low-stress loading facility in Nebraska for pig farmers that will be shared by a network of pig farmers, and shelters for pastured pigs and laying hens.

Grant recipients include: B&B Farms, East Brinnell, Iowa; Becker Lane Organic Farm, Dyersville, Iowa; Bellecreek Farm, Rosharon, Texas; Breezy Oaks Farm, Mebane, N.C.; Cane Creek Farm, Snow Camp, N.C.; Catalpa Farm, Columbia City, Ind., Cedar Meadow Farm, Ledyard, Conn.; Chaudhry Hallal Meats, Siler City, N.C.; Cota Farms, Cardington, Ohio; D&A Williams Farms, Autryville, N.C.; Dogwood Nursery Farms, Maple Hill, N.C.; Doolittle Farm, Shoreham, Vt.; Eastern Plains Natural Food Co-op, Bennett, Colo.; Fowl Attitude Farm, Cedar Grove, N.C.; Fruitland American Meat LLC, Jackson, Mo.; Hasselmann Family Farms, Milledgeville, Ill.; High Country Meats, Raton, N.M.; Howe Farms, Thurman, Iowa; Independent Small Animal Meat Processors Association, Fairview, N.C.; Laughlin Ranch, Crawford, Neb.; Lester J. Huls, Carthage, Ill.; Midsummer Farm, Warwick, N.Y.; O’Brien Farms, Tilden, Neb.; Parker Farms, Hurdle Mills, N.C.; Perry Farms, Troutman, N.C.; Petersen Farms, Decatur, Mich.; S&L Farm, Louisburg, N.C.; Stone and Thistle Farm, East Meredith, N.Y.; Thundering Hooves Ranch, Walla Walla, Wash.; Upstate Farmers Alliance, Pauline, S.C.; Valley End Farm, Santa Rosa, Calif.; Veritas Farms, New Paltz, N.Y.; and Wild Turkey Farms, Salisbury, N.C.

— Release provided by the Animal Welfare Institute.

Pathfinder® Deadline is Feb. 13

The deadline for submitting records to the Association Performance Programs Department for inclusion in the 2009 Pathfinder® Report is Feb. 13. If you have questions about submitting data on forms, via AAA Login or by using the Angus Information Management Software (AIMS) program, call the Association for assistance at 816-383-5100.

Keep Current on Genetic Defects

The Association Board and staff have worked diligently to keep members informed of the latest information on arthrogryposis multiplex (AM), commonly referred to as curly calf syndrome. Licensed labs are now testing animals for AM. For complete information on AM and the labs that are conducting the tests, please visit www.angus.org.

Printed Sire Summary now available

The printed version of the Spring 2009 Sire Evaluation Report is now available. Active members who returned their blue request cards to receive a printed copy of the spring 2009 report will receive it automatically. Other members and commercial producers who want a printed report should request it via e-mail or by calling the Association. Breeders who would like a quantity of printed reports to have on hand for their sales or events are welcome to do so. All requests should be submitted to Brenda Gabriel at bgabriel@angus.org or call her at 816-383-5144.

Beef Leaders Institute applications accepted until March 1

The American Angus Association will conduct its second Beef Leaders Institute (BLI) May 31-June 3, and is now accepting applications for the event. BLI is designed for Association members 25-45 years old to provide insight to all segments of the beef industry. The Association will provide transportation during the BLI, as well as lodging, meals and materials. Attendees will be responsible for their own round-trip transportation to Kansas City, Mo., if flying, or Saint Joseph, Mo., if driving.

The BLI will be limited to 20 attendees each year. Applications are available online or by contacting the Communications Department. March 1 is the application deadline. Further questions can be directed to Shelia Stannard at sstannard@angus.org or Ty Groshans at tgroshans@angus.org or by calling the Association.

W designated letter for permanent ID in 2009

International letters are designated for each year of birth for livestock identification (ID). These designated letters are an easy option to use in conjunction with numbers when permanently identifying animals. For example, W001 and W002 could designate the first two calves born into your herd in the year 2009.

— Information provided by the American Angus Association

— compiled by Shauna Rose Hermel, editor, Angus Productions Inc. (API)