NFU: JBS Swift to Comply with COOL
For Immediate Release: October 23, 2008
Contact: Liz Friedlander, 202-314-3191WASHINGTON (Oct. 23, 2008) – National Farmers Union President Tom Buis and Rocky Mountain Farmers Union President Kent Peppler said today they received word that JBS Swift & Co. would comply with the intent of mandatory country of origin labeling (COOL) and label their products with the “Product of USA” label.
This move follows earlier announcements from Tyson Fresh Meats, Inc. and Cargill that they would also meet the COOL requirement.
“Consumers simply have the right to know where their food comes from,” Buis said. “I am pleased to see the nation’s three largest packers come together in a cooperative spirit to follow the intent of the law.”
Buis added that roughly 90 percent of all fresh retail beef and pork cuts meet the definition of USA and would qualify for label A, the USA label, as directed in the 2008 Farm Bill.
“Farmers and ranchers are proud of the food they produce in the United States. We know JBS Swift is proud of the quality of meat products they provide to consumers in the United States and around the world. JBS Swift will benefit economically by cooperating with livestock producers to implement COOL as intended by Congress,” Peppler said.
NFU has been a long-time advocate for COOL and played a significant role in reaching the compromise agreement that allowed it to become law as part of the 2008 Farm Bill.
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