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However, COOL will become mandatory on Sept. 30, 2004.

To verify that products are properly labeled at the retail level, records must be maintained from birth to retail. Because of this impending requirement and because several packer-processors have communicated their own individual requirements to their producer clients, there is much uncertainty among livestock producers about their role and responsibilities in the process, according to Iowa State University (ISU) Extension swine field specialist Jerry Weiss.

Producers of all livestock affected by COOL are invited to learn more about COOL and their responsibilities under this program at a satellite program June 10 from 10 am. to noon. The program is sponsored by Iowa Pork Industry Center (IPIC), Iowa Beef Center (IBC) and ISU Extension and will originate from the ISU campus.

ISU agricultural economist John Lawrence and ISU Extension veterinarian James McKean will present information on the COOL program, including expectations of and implications for Iowa livestock producers, dates for mandatory participation in COOL and options for meeting COOL-related requirements. Lawrence also is director of IBC and McKean is associate director of IPIC.

Weiss, who also is program coordinator, said this program is intended for all livestock producers affected by the COOL regulations.

Cost of the program is $10 per person. Questions may be asked during the program by phone, fax and e-mail. The program will be available through many ISU Extension county offices throughout the state. For more information and a link to the list of county offices that will host the program, check the IPIC Web site at http://www.extension.iastate.edu/ipic/events.html. Contact a county office directly for information on preregistration requirements at that specific location.

Source: Iowa Pork Industry Center - 17th April 2002