Talk from the Meat Case
With the recent passing and implementation of mandatory country of origin labeling (COOL), the long-term effects are hard to decipher right now. Yet, as consumers head to the meat case, they are starting to notice the labels stamped on their beef products. So what do they really think about this labeling system? I recently received this insightful email from a friend of mine who thought it might be of interest to beef producers and industry professionals. This is definitely an encounter in the meat case worth paying attention to. Enjoy.
Dear Amanda,
I’m in seed production, but always try to keep up with the rest of the AG industry. Last week my wife and I were at a large grocery store in our local shopping area, and as we walked by the meat section, a rather confused woman asked if we knew what the sticker meant she was pointing at on a package of fresh beef. It said, “Product of Canada, United States, or Mexico”. She was seriously concerned and after a short series of light comments between the three of us, she put the package back on the shelf and decided to eat more chicken for a while.
I like BEEF. I try to purchase my beef from local cattle producers, but at times I, too, get some from this store. I may be tempted to switch to chicken also, as I feel it would be pretty hard to track if a problem arose with the cut I purchased.
Thought you might like the chance to “warn” those that might care.
It seems COOL and a national animal identifcation system (NAIS) are constantly in the news. These two programs have been hashed over, fought over and debated over for countless hours, days, months and years. However, I never tire of these discussions, so my question of the day is: What are your thoughts on COOL and NAIS? What are the problems with both programs? What is an ideal compromise for our industry, in its current state? How do we truly become more competitive in the global marketplace? Let’s talk.
FYI, tomorrow, my responses will be coming to you from Phoenix, Ariz. as I join 5,000+ beef professionals at the 2009 Cattle Industry Convention and Trade Show. Stay tuned for blog updates, new segments of BEEFtv and more from the staff at BEEF Magazine!
January 28th, 2009 at 1:45 pm
NAIS has wasted far too many tax dollars. It can not do what it promises about tracking animal diseases but can force small farmers and ranchers out of business. It is as anti-American as anything can get — anti-Christian, too (read the book of Revelation). If there is a small corner of the market that wants this, let them opt into it. I don’t care to feed other nations, so let me opt out. That’s free enterprise, and that’s the American way.
Arnie
January 29th, 2009 at 12:16 pm
In light of the problems reported on foreign foods recently I think this will make a larger demand on our domestic foods, which might create more jobs and more reliabilty! After buying cheap foreign products (clothing, shoes) I am skeptical about foreign foods, especially since some of their processing standards are not the same as ours! Of course I am one of those staunch “American-made only” people!
January 29th, 2009 at 8:55 pm
Ten million illegal immigrants, or maybe more, and the federal government wants me to tell them exactly how much livestock, by name, number, age, and sex. I have no real problem with this, but the potential for abuse is too much to take a chance. Look at the problems that the Amish are having in Wisconsin–they don’t even like to register their marriages or children. My Amish ancestors came to America to escape this tyranny.
Max
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