ICON: Don't confuse COOL with animal ID

Putting a label on a package of meat that says where it originated and putting electronic tags in the ears of U.S cattle are not the same program, according to the Independent Cattlemen of Nebraska.

“Nothing could be farther from the truth,” said John O’Dea of McCook, an ICON director.

The two programs -- “country of origin” and “national animal ID” -- are still under development after years of being in the process. Congress is expected to require country of origin labeling, or COOL, by the end of the year in a new Farm Bill.

Meanwhile in another program, the USDA is strongly encouraging ranchers to register their lands under the animal ID program.

The animal ID program stems from agri- and pharmaceutical companies, according to Iowa State University law professor Roger McEowen. It has the purported intent of quickly identifying, quarantining and destroying diseased herds.

COOL stems from independent cattle producers who seek to tell consumers which meats are imported.

O’Dea said large agri-businesses don’t want COOL to take full effect, but do want the national animal ID program.

He said they are trying to confuse the issue.

“What we are seeing is a last gasp attempt by COOL opponents to derail the program by linking it to a wildly unpopular national ID program,” O’Dea said. “In fact, the COOL law prohibits using a national ID program for purposes of establishing origin.”

“Don’t let anyone mislead you into believing you have to sign up, pay for and use their electronic ear tag and database program in order to sell cattle that will qualify as U.S. born and raised (under the COOL program),” said rancher Jim Hanna of Brownlee. “If the compromise amendments to the COOL law hold up, something as simple as a calving record book or verification of a first and last calving date and location will suffice.”

The U.S. House version of the Farm Bill says records already used in normal business practices would verify the country of origin, Hanna said.

ICON asks any producer who receives communication from a sale barn, veterinarian, tag vendor, “industry” organization or anyone else making claims about COOL and mandatory ID to let the organization know by contacting Terry Rothwell at the ICON office, 308-458-2758.

“The threat of reduced return for un-tagged cattle is a hollow one as well,” Hanna said “Tagged and un-tagged cattle have been selling this summer side by side with no observed premiums or discounts either way.”  

The North Platte Bulletin - Published 9/11/2007
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