products."The omnibus bill repealed the country of origin labeling (COOL) requirements for muscle cuts of beef and pork, and ground beef and pork. Effective immediately, USDA is not enforcing the COOL requirements for muscle cut and ground beef and pork outlined in the January 2009 and May 2013 final rules."
USDA will be amending the COOL regulations as expeditiously as possible to reflect the repeal of the beef and pork provisions. In addition, all imported and domestic meat will continue to be subject to rigorous inspections by USDA to ensure food safety.
More information:
Country of Origin Labeling (COOL)
Country of Origin Labeling (COOL) is a labeling law that requires retailers, such as full-line grocery stores, supermarkets and club warehouse stores, to notify their customers with information regarding the source of certain foods. Food products covered by the law include muscle cut and ground meats: lamb, goat, and chicken; wild and farm-raised fish and shellfish; fresh and frozen fruits and vegetables; peanuts, pecans, and macadamia nuts; and ginseng.
Regulations for fish and shellfish covered commodities (7 CFR Part 60) became effective in 2005. The final rule for all covered commodities (7 CFR Part 60 and 7 CFR Part 65) went into effect on March 16, 2009. AMS is responsible for administration and enforcement of COOL.
- May 2013 Final Rule to Amend Meat Labeling
- May 2009 Final Rule Implementing Mandatory Country of Origin Labeling
- § 60.132 Waters of the United States – Appendix A
- Abbreviations Guidance
- Labeling Options
- FSIS Meat and Poultry Labeling Guidance
- U.S. Customs & Border Control COOL requirements for imported foods as required by the Tariff Act of 1930
- Food and Drug Administration Food Labeling Guidance
- PACA Commodities List
- Institutional Meat Purchase Specifications (IMPS)
Source: USDA
American Farm Bureau Federation Comments on the repeal
December 16, 2015 - ...AFBF also supports omnibus provisions to repeal country-of-origin labeling requirements, which would effectively prevent Canada and Mexico from initiating retaliatory actions.
"Farm Bureau supports COOL programs that are in line with world trade rules," Stallman said. "Current COOL programs, unfortunately, risk serious retaliation by Canada and Mexico now that the World Trade Organization has approved more than $1 billion in tariffs against American beef, pork and other U.S. commodities if COOL is not changed."
December 18, 2015 - "America's farm and ranch families will benefit greatly from the strong, bipartisan congressional passage of important tax relief, funding and policy provisions. The legislation provides needed changes to tax policy, funding for programs important to farmers, ranchers and rural communities, and actions related to country-of-origin labeling to prevent retaliation against U.S. agricultural products. We look forward to the president's approval of this legislation."
