PRAIRIE COUNTRY: COOL may mean a change in your farm or business

Lesley Lubenow, NDSU Extension Service, Grand Forks Herald

Published: 11/07/2008

via AgWeek

Have you noticed the new signs at the grocery store?

A couple of weeks ago at my local grocery store, placards appeared with “Product of …” in the produce and meat aisles. “Product of U.S.” is displayed for the chicken and “Product of Chile” for the grapes. These signs seem like a grocery store around the world trivia game, but these signs are the results of Country of Origin Labeling or COOL federal legislation.

COOL originates with the 2002 Farm Bill. In April 2005, fish and shellfish were required to list country of origin. At the end of September 2008, applicable fruits, vegetables, and meats had to list country of origin. The labeling will impact local agricultural operations.

What is required for the hobby farmer or small value-added enterprise?

Labeling

Let’s start with the products that require COOL. For our region’s significance, ground or muscle cuts of beef, lamb, chicken, goat and pork; and fresh or frozen fruits and vegetables required labeling. Other products under COOL are wild and farm-raised fish and shellfish; peanuts, pecans and macadamia nuts and ginseng. Notable products that do not need labeling are dairy, eggs, mutton and bison.

If the food item has been processed or combined with another food, then COOL labeling is not required. This includes smoked ham, pepperoni or breaded chicken fingers. Also, mixed products do not require labeling such as fruit bowls containing watermelon and strawberries or lettuce mixes containing romaine lettuce and carrots.

COOL impacts two groups of people: Retailers who sell products and the suppliers who grow and/or ready the product for sale (growers, slaughter facilities, distributors, etc).

A retailer must have at least $230,000/year in sales of perishable agricultural commodities to require COOL compliance. Food stands, restaurants and other food service establishment providing ready-to-eat food are exempt.

For hobby farm producers, good recordkeeping is a must if your products enter the food corridor. For animals, you need to provide enough information to verify the origin and ownership. This may include registration papers, birth records, receiving records and sales receipts. Upon sale, an affidavit attesting country of origin may be given to the buyer. A recommended affidavit can be found at: www.beefusa.org/uDocs/countryoforiginaffidavit453.pdf>.

For fruits and vegetables, good records would include production and harvest records, delivery tickets and copies of statements sent to customers. Provide country of origin to the buyer by labeling the shipping container, the product itself, or in a separate declaration document.

All records should be kept for one year after sale.

Common questions

• “I bought an unregistered pig at a sale two years ago in Minnesota. I don’t have a record on it. What do I do?” All livestock in the United States on or before July 15, 2008, are considered U.S. country of origin.

• “I plan on buying six registered heifers in Canada next spring. What is their country of origin if I sell them after two years of ownership?” You will provide an affidavit to the buyer attesting Canada as the country of origin. If the heifers are slaughtered, the meat would be labeled as “Product of U.S. and Canada.”

• “I sell raspberries to the local grocery store. Does COOL mean that I have to provide documentation that I grew these berries?” You just need to provide a sticker or document stating “Product of U.S.” If your product uses “Pride of North Dakota” label, that is also sufficient. The grocery store does not need your production records. If case of a United Agriculture Department inquiry, you may be asked to provide documentation.

• “I have a community-supported agriculture business. What do I need to do?” Since you do not sell your products as a licensed retailer, you do not need to display country of origin. However as a producer, if you sell to a retailer or distributor include country of origin.

• “I have a juneberry orchard. I make jellies and also sell the juneberries to a local winery. Does COOL impact me?” No, because the winery and you are selling processed goods, you are exempt from COOL.

The initiation of COOL may mean a change on your farm or business as usual. Good recordkeeping and keeping informed makes the transition much easier.

agweek.com