Source:Susan Kelly, MEATINGPLACE, 8/10/17



USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) announced it has issued a final rule allowing the agency to take action as needed, including levying civil penalties, against violators of Livestock Mandatory Reporting (LMR) and Country of Origin Labeling (COOL) regulations.

The action extends current rules of practice under the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946, as amended, to include LMR and COOL violations.

“When someone fails to meet the LMR reporting requirements, it impacts the ability of AMS to publish timely and reliable livestock information that the industry relies upon. The COOL program ensures consumers have information regarding the origin of many foods available in the marketplace,” the agency said.

COOL requires retailers to notify their customers with information regarding the source of certain foods. Products covered by the law include muscle cut and ground lamb, goat and chicken.

USDA amended COOL regulations in February 2016 to remove muscle cut and ground beef and pork from the program’s mandatory requirements. The action followed a congressional repeal of the requirements after Canada and Mexico convinced the World Trade Organization that the rule discriminated against their livestock and violated international trade laws.

In the final rule published Wednesday, AMS said enforcement provisions in the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946 allow up to $10,000 in fines per violation for violating the LMR regulations. The act also allows fines for a retailer or person engaged in the business of supplying a covered commodity that willfully violates COOL regulations.

The final rule, published in the Federal Register, can be viewed here.