NLPA UNITES WITH OTHER LIVESTOCK INDUSTRY LEADERS
ON COUNTRY OF ORIGIN AFFIDAVIT

Colorado Springs, CO (Sept. 5, 2008) -- The National Livestock Producers Association (NLPA) joined 70 representatives from more than 30 livestock industry organizations and companies to develop universal procedures for implementing requirements of the Country of Origin Labeling (COOL) law, which will take effect on Sept. 30, 2008.

As a result of the meeting, the leaders wrote a coalition letter to livestock industry stakeholders to encourage them to use the “Country of Origin Affidavit/Declaration” statements. According to the letter the goal of the affidavit/declaration is “to move origin claims along the livestock’s chain of custody/ownership to slaughter facilities to assure that meat covered commodities will be accurately labeled at retail.”

Representing NLPA at the meeting, organized by the Livestock Marketing Association in Kansas City on Aug. 26, were Jim Reynolds, CEO, National Livestock Commission Assn.; Tod Fleming, COO, Equity Cooperative Livestock Sales Association; Richard Elinghysen, Producers Livestock Marketing Assn. - Omaha; Tony Toso, Producers Livestock Marketing Assn., - N. Salt Lake; and Scott Stuart, CEO, National Livestock Producers Association.

“I appreciate all of the thoughtful input offered by our members in this process,” Stuart said. “I am pleased to report that the meeting we had with USDA Undersecretary Knight on Friday September 5th to present the affidavits went extremely well. After asking us several questions as to the process by which “evergreen” affidavits could be tied to sales records, he indicated USDA is comfortable with the process.”

Click on the links below to view the supporting documents:

Letter to Under Secretary Bruce Knight

Affidavit Cover Letter with List of Supporting Organizations

Recommended Country of Origin Affidavit/Declaration Statements