ISSUE 1049
In comments to the Agricultural Marketing Service, FFVA last week commended USDA for adopting more flexible rules for origin labeling of fish at retail. Mandatory country of origin labeling (COOL) for fruits and vegetables has been delayed until 2006, but USDA is now in final rulemaking for COOL for fish and shellfish. FFVA commented on the fish rules to underscore the need for flexibility in upcoming COOL rulemaking on produce. In particular, FFVA urged USDA to use existing records to provide verification of origin labeling, such as PACA records or those required under FDA's new bioterrorism rules. In addition, FFVA said that acceptance of existing labeling on product packaging and store displays should satisfy most COOL requirements, thereby keeping costs as low as possible for producers and retailers. For more information, contact Ray Gilmer.
ALSO IN THIS WEEK'S RAP-UP
FFVA SEEKS FAIR TARIFF POLICIES PROJECT FUNDING CRITICAL TO FLORIDA’S FUTURE SAYS SWCC FFVA SUBMITS COMMENTS ON LABELING FEBRUARY 7 IS FOOD CHECK-OUT DAY R.C.McENTIRE & COMPANY JOINS FFVA AS TRADE ASSOCIATE MEMBER OPTIMISM, COOPERATION -- KEY WORDS FOR THE NEW FLORIDA LEGISLATIVE SESSION
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