Question for anti-COOL people

[Sandhusker]

I'd like any of you anti-COOL folks to explain something to me;

I've seen fast food chains selling "Angus burgers". I see restaurants mentioning on their menu that their steaks are Angus. I see Angus beef in the cooler (it costs more than the mystery beef right next to it). Obviously "Angus" would not be promoted by the food and grocery industries if it wasn't beneficial to sales. Yet, probably less than 1% of these consumers who are paying for Angus know a dang thing about an Angus - probably couldn't tell one from a Holstein. Why are they paying for "Angus" when they don't know a thing about the Angus breed?

[PORKER]

Beef producers not feeling "COOL" under the collar


The National Farmers Union, R-Calf USA, and the U.S. Cattlemen's Association aren't happy about the U.S. Department of Agriculture's implementation plans for mandatory "Country of Origin Labeling," also known as COOL.

The organizations believe that when plans for COOL were set during Farm Bill negotiations, American-produced beef would be segregated during packing and labeled as a product of the United States.

But it appears the USDA is willing to allow packers to circumvent COOL by labeling all beef products under the "multiple countries" category.

Sandy Courtnage of the MT Farmer's Union, said, "Our thought is that by doing that, U.S. producers will not get the benefit of a label...that says 'product of the USA' - period. And consumers won't have that choice and that bit of information."

The Farmers Union, R-Calf, and the Cattlemen's Association are asking Congress to remedy the situation before Country of Origin Labeling goes into effect on October 1st.

[RobertMac]

[Sandhusker]

We're getting off track here.....

[RobertMac]

[Sandhusker]

[Bill]

[mrj]

Correct me if you can prove me wrong, but I believe the Certified Angus Beef (CAB) brand is verifiable as at least half Angus and has to meet standards for quality, such as above a certain USDA quality grade, among others. It has gained a reputation as very good beef. Isn't CAB also trademarked?

Obviously, some businesses are using that fact, plus the gullibility of some consumers, and calling their beef, which may or may not have similar or equal specifications or trademark status, "Angus".

IMO, that is comparable to a low price store in RobertMac or other 'branded' beef location calling their lower quality product by a very similar name and using a similar appearing label, possibly changed just enough to escape legal action....IF the other brand IS trademarked. In other words, an almost legal copy of a known and loved product.

COOL started out as a misleading law and it is ending by misleading!

Porker, what is the date of that 'story'? Weren't all those groups at the recent meeting in KC,MO where they all agreed on the final rules.......or is this another case of them agreeing, then changing their mind after the fact????

mrj

[PORKER]

Mrj , according to press reports this morning ,they have changed their minds. Also after calling Congressman Bart Stupak this morning,he has found out this morning that someone at USDA that controls the interm Final rules changed the writing to favor FMI and the packers on this labeling issue.

[Bill]

[Mike]

[Oldtimer]