Sep. 11, 2008

COOL Affidavit Eases Burden on Producers: Eller (Part II)

Cattle producers are busy assessing how the new Country of Origin Labeling law, which began Oct. 1, is going to affect them. According to Burton Eller, senior vice president for government affairs for the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association in Washington, D.C., this law will affect every livestock producer who sells an animal.

Cut  #1:       :29        Out cue: “… where they came from.”

Eller says small producers who have heard nothing about the program will be assisted by the market where they take their animals.

Cut  #2:       :26        Out cue: “… animals to market.”

Though the law put a potentially larger than wanted burden on producers, this new affidavit – with support from the USDA -- should provide much-needed relief.

Cut  #3:       :13        Out cue: “…step of the way.”

According to Eller, the affidavit is helping meet all of the requirements spelled out in the legislation.

Cut  #4:       :09        Out cue: “…signed into law.”

For more information on the COOL law or the producer affidavit that addresses it, go to the NCBA web site at www.beefusa.org.