Ohio Farmers Union

Serving Family Farmers and Consumers Since 1934



United to Grow Family Agriculture Since 1934

  • About
    • The Farmers Union Triangle
    • Vision
    • OFU Leadership
  • Issues
    • 2020 Virtual Lobby Days
    • OFU Policy & NFU Policy
    • 2019 Lobby Day Registration
    • Get Involved!
    • NFU Climate Leaders
  • Education
    • 2019 OFU Essay Contest
    • Ohio Farmers Union Scholarships
    • Farm Safety
    • Renewable Energy Curriculum
  • Insurance
    • Hastings Mutual Insurance Co.
    • Health & Other Offerings
    • Ohio BWC Group Coverage
  • Join Us
    • Online Sign-Up
    • Member Benefits
    • Insurance
  • Blog
  • Events

Thankful for COOL on Thanksgiving … For Now – It’s Under Threat

November 26, 2014 By Ron Sylvester Leave a Comment

The following is an op-ed submitted to Ohio newspapers for the Thanksgiving holiday.

by Warren Taylor and Joe Logan

As American families prepare their Thanksgiving turkeys, they should thank local livestock farmers producing beef, pork, chicken, eggs, and dairy products. Unfortunately, politicians, lobbyists and trade negotiators in DC are working against those farmers. Shockingly, in our great country, which celebrates independent farmers and ranchers, America’s largest pork processor is Shuanghui International Holdings, a Chinese corporation. Our second largest beef company, JBS USA is a Brazilian corporation. These trans-national corporate giants show the extent of consolidation, and how globalization has played out.

These huge businesses find it profitable to shop global markets for low cost meat cuts that end up for sale in American supermarkets. Their profits soar higher as they avoid labeling the meat’s source.  Customers trust American farmers and regulators to provide safe, healthy food products. Not necessarily so for Chinese or Brazilian meat.

Naturally, these meat packers oppose requirements to label the sources of meats. Country Of Origin Labeling (COOL) is that law. Although passed by Congress and signed by President Bush in 2002, foreign and trans-national food corporations have prevented implementation, and now look to repeal COOL.

It’s disappointing that they have found powerful allies in the Beef and Pork promotion organizations authorized by Congress and mostly funded by American farmers and ranchers. The National Cattlemens Beef Association (NCBA) and the National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) are adamant opponents of COOL. The very livestock promotion organizations who should speak for American farmers and ranchers are working against their interests and the interests of 90% of American consumers seeking honest information about how and where their food is produced.

Impossible? Most other industrial agriculture nations require Country Of Origin Labeling for food. The American Meat Institute, The National Grocers Association, McDonalds and others shamelessly interested in sourcing the cheapest food possible, have assaulted America’s COOL laws. After passage in the 2002 Farm Bill and surviving four Federal Court suits, COOL is facing repeated World Trade Organization (WTO) challenges.

It’s bad enough when American business interests used money and influence to get their way in Washington DC, now it is multinational corporations’ agenda lobbying against COOL, clearly against America’s farmers’ best interests.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Blog Tagged With: COOL, Country of Origin Labeling, JBS, Joe Logan, National Cattlemen's Beef Association, Shuanghui, Thanksgiving, Warren Taylor

National Farmers Union Urges Stronger Firewall Between NCBA & Beef Checkoff Program

July 8, 2011 By Ron Sylvester Leave a Comment

WASHINGTON – National Farmers Union (NFU) sent a letter to Cattlemen’s Beef Board (CBB) members and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) advocating for the complete separation of policy organizations and the checkoff program.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Blog Tagged With: Beef Checkoff Program, National Cattlemen's Beef Association, National Farmers Union, Roger Johnson, USDA

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • RSS
  • YouTube

Latest News from the Ohio & National Farmers Union

OFU Replaces In-Person Convention with Teleconference

Due to COVID-19 risk and restrictions, the Ohio Farmers Union's 87th Annual Convention will be held as a teleconference and full Board of Directors … Read More

Despite concerns from small farmers, Vilsack may be well-suited to withstand agribusiness influence

In a sprawling, diverse U.S. family farm community, questions are being asked about President-elect Joe Biden’s choice of Tom Vilsack to lead the USDA … Read More

Farmers Affected by the Pandemic Should Look at USDA Coronavirus Food Assistance Program

The USDA’s Coronavirus Food Assistance Program provides direct relief to certain farmers who have experienced price declines and additional marketing … Read More

Black Farmers: Beyond 40 Acres and a Mule

Sponsored in part by the Ohio Farmers Union, this event is FREE and open to the public. People of African descent have a long … Read More

Check Out the Entire Blog

NATIONAL FARMERS UNION

Click to Take Action



Contact

Ohio Farmers Union
P.O. Box 363
1011 N. Defiance Street
Ottawa, Ohio 45875
Phone: (419) 523-5300
Toll Free: (800) 321-3671

Copyright Ohio Farmers Union© 2021 | Site by: RCS Communications