|
UK
Cooperative Extension Service Will Aid In Educational, Research Efforts As
New Labeling Requirements Begin | |
|
“I think that some of the things we can do with our research and extension programs will help our producers in the long run fit into the new system more easily.” Larry Turner, associate dean and associate director of the UK Cooperative Extension Service. |
By Laura Skillman
LOUISVILLE,
Ky. (Aug. 27, 2003) – As farmers face new requirements in their industry, part
of the University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service’s role is to
provide educational and research leadership to aid in implementation. Working
along with other agencies and producer groups, UK will assist farmers as the new
federal country of origin labeling (COOL) rules go into effect in the fall of
2004. “I
think that some of the things we can do with our research and extension programs
will help our producers in the long run fit into the new system more easily,”
said Larry Turner, associate dean and associate director of the University of
Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service. The
regulations were the topic of a recent meeting sponsored by the Kentucky Department of Agriculture.
Charles D. Lambert, deputy undersecretary for the U.S. Department of
Agriculture’s marketing and regulatory programs, provided an update of the
COOL rules. Country
of origin labeling is a part of the most recent farm bill with the mandatory
labeling requirements at retail sales to be implemented by Oct. 1, 2004.
Some 31,000 retail outlets will be affected. The law precludes USDA from
requiring a mandatory identification system. Even if a universal tracking system
was in place for animal health purposes, it could not be mandated for use as a
trace back system under COOL, Lambert said. There are efforts under way to
develop some type of national livestock identification program for health
purposes. COOL
requires labeling by retailers and they set the audit trail back through their
marketing chain. Farm-raised and wild fish and shellfish, fresh and frozen
fruits and vegetables, beef, pork and lamb muscle products and ground products
and peanuts are required to be labeled under the new rules. A livestock product
must come from animals born, raised and slaughtered in the United States in
order to be labeled as a U.S. product. There
needs to be some way of verifying where the animals come from and that
information needs to be available to the retailer and on down the marketing
chain, Lambert said. “The retailers and their suppliers will be responsible
for maintaining these records,” he said. How those records will be derived, he
said, has not been defined yet. Currently,
there is a funding discrepancy between the House and Senate appropriations bills
that will have to be worked out in conference committee. The House version does
not include any money for the USDA to implement the COOL regulations. The
objective is to have the final rules completed by this spring, Lambert said. Whatever
the outcome, some kind of educational component will be needed so producers know
how they fit into the system and what the effects are, Turner said. Some of the
research already under way in areas such as animal identification will aid
farmers as they face new marketing requirements. “Some
of the things we are doing are ahead of the curve as compared to other
states,” Turner said. “So we have the opportunity to work along with other
agencies to make sure Kentucky producers are taking a lead in the U.S. We want
our producers to be in a position to be able to market their animals at an
advantage, if possible. The more we can do with the educational process to
impact how all this occurs will help our producers.” Programs
already in place aiding cattle producers include the Integrated Resource
Management (IRM) program and the five-state beef initiative, both of which are
cooperative efforts with other livestock organizations and agencies. Electronic
identification and tracking of individual animals are a part of the research. “We
are looking at how our producers are going to fit into a national system,"
Turner said. “We want to maintain the capability of our small producers to
produce. Just as in other industries there are economies of scale.
However, if we can assist our producers in banding together, Kentucky
producers can be competitive. Already – not only through the work of UK but
also the Cattlemen’s Association, Department of Agriculture, other
organizations and producers themselves – buyers are beginning to recognize
that Kentucky cattle are quality cattle.” Writer: Laura Skillman 270-365-7541 ext. 278 Source: Larry Turner, 859-257-4302 Return to Main News page. |