Fighting over “the dollar” has intensified during the past 30 days, raising questions about the future of a longtime source of food safety research funding. “The dollar” is the Beef Checkoff, the $1 added on to the transaction each time there is a bovine sale, from ranch to feedlot, or
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Spending Bill Includes $104-Million Increase for FSMA, COOL Repeal
Late Tuesday night, the House of Representatives released a $1.1-trillion spending bill to fund the federal government through the end of the fiscal year, which is Sept. 30, 2016. Lobbyists for full funding of the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) were pleased with the numbers. The Food and Drug Administration
Continue Reading Spending Bill Includes $104-Million Increase for FSMA, COOL Repeal
WTO Authorizes $1 Billion in Retaliatory Tariffs Against COOL
The World Trade Organization (WTO) has authorized Canada and Mexico to charge the U.S. $1 billion in retaliatory tariffs for country-of-origin labeling (COOL) on meat. Last spring, WTO rejected a U.S. appeal of its decision that COOL unfairly discriminates against meat imports and gives the advantage to domestic meat products.
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USTR Tells WTO That COOL Damages Are Much Lower Than Estimated
Last week, the United States Trade Representative (USTR) filed a legal brief in the World Trade Organization (WTO) dispute over mandatory country-of-origin labeling (COOL), arguing that the $3 billion sought by Canada and Mexico in retaliatory tariffs are a dramatic overestimation of damages. The U.S. requested that the WTO Arbitrator
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Cattle Producer Associations Run From Hot to Cold on COOL
The move in Congress to repeal mandatory country-of-origin labeling (COOL) law for beef, pork and chicken is again turning up the fault lines among the three major organizations that represent American cattle producers. While there are numerous state and local affiliates, the three big groups are:
- National Cattlemen’s Beef Association
Continue Reading Cattle Producer Associations Run From Hot to Cold on COOL
USDA: COOL Not Much of an Economic Benefit for Consumers
Country-of-origin labeling (COOL) does not provide much in the way of “measurable economic benefits” for American consumers and costs producers, packers, and retailers in the United States $2.6 billion a year for all covered commodities, USDA’s chief economist stated in a 198-page report sent Friday to Congress. The report was
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Amendments to Nebraska Bill Might be Expansion Card for Smithfield Foods
Recently filed amendment language now pending in the Nebraska Legislature could clear the way for Chinese-owned Smithfield Foods Inc. to own, control, and feed hogs in contract swine operations in the state. The foreign-owned agribusiness is already a major employer in Nebraska. At a public hearing last month, Legislative Bills
Continue Reading Amendments to Nebraska Bill Might be Expansion Card for Smithfield Foods