Michigan Farm Bureau Supports COOL

LANSING - Mar 4/04 - MFB -- Michigan's agriculture industry offered its two cents regarding a plan by the federal government to implement a country of origin labeling (COOL) program for meat and other perishable agricultural commodities.

After issuing its preliminary COOL proposal Oct. 30, 2003, the USDA sought input from the nation's farmers, processors and other agriculture-related groups to fine-tune the program. On behalf of its 47,000 farmer member families, the Michigan Farm Bureau (MFB) has submitted to the federal agency several recommendations aiming to make COOL a more convenient, cost-effective program that limits liabilities and provides well-defined benefits to participants.

"We support country of origin labeling for all agricultural products," wrote MFB President Wayne H. Wood in his organization's Feb. 27 response to the USDA. "Michigan Farm Bureau supports a labeling program that would help producers obtain a value-added return for their agricultural products and help consumers make informed decisions when purchasing products at the retail level."

Country of origin labeling has been a goal of Michigan's fruit and vegetable growers for years, according to Sarah Black, MFB's national legislative counsel.

Copyright (c) 2004 Michigan Farm Bureau

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