Readings

• Dyck, John H. and Kenneth E. Nelson, Structure of the Global Markets for Meat, Economic Research Service, No. 785, Sept. 2003.
• ERS, “Table 1: Comparison of average retail prices for selected meat cuts,” Oct. 2003.
• Mad Cow Disease and U.S. Beef Trade, Charles Hanrahan and Geoffrey Becker, CRS Report for Congress, August 4, 2004
• Country-of-Origin Labeling for Foods, Geoffrey Becker, CRS Report for Congress, August 3, 2004.

Key Questions

Country-of –Origin Labeling for Foods

• What does the law state with reference to labeling requirements for imported food items?
• Which federal acts and agencies regulate the COOL requirement?
• Under which conditions is exemption granted from labeling?
• Is COOL for foods mandatory?
• Why do farmer interest groups support mandatory COOL while those representing the processing industry oppose it?
• Can a processor import some agricultural produce, process it and then label the product as having originated in the US?
• Why does the issue of “origin” complicate the concept of COOL?
• Does mandatory COOL requirement amount to erecting trade barriers?
• Have there been any incidents which support the idea that mandatory COOL enhances food safety?