Country of Origin Labeling (COOL)

What is COOL?

The USDA mandated Country of Origin Labeling (COOL) on September 30, 2008 (to read more on the actual mandate go to: www.ams.usda.gov/COOL )Therefore, all cuts of beef, pork, lamb, goat, and chicken must have documentation as to the origin of the animals to be marketed in the U.S. and international meat industry. So, what this means to us…

Every 4-H youth showing market animals (beef, sheep, swine, goat, chickens*) must complete the “Country of Origin Label Declaration” form.

*For the purposes of the Larimer County Fair and the Jr. Livestock Sale Committee, 4-H youth can use one form for all species. Also, although rabbits are not included in the USDA mandate, for ease of management at County Fair, we are requesting that market rabbit youth complete the form as well.

The form (affidavit) documents the seller’s basic contact information (in this case, the 4-H youth), the animal ID (tag #) for each individual animal in the transaction, and validation of what country(s) the animals were BORN and RAISED in. It also requires a youth and parent signature.

This form (affidavit) will be included in the Jr. Livestock Sale packet that each market youth will receive prior to County Fair. Each youth will be required to read, complete and have appropriate youth and parent signatures on these forms, and they must be turned in at the County Fair Check-in.

According to USDA, this document must be kept on file for one year (in this case, by the Jr. Livestock Sale Committee).

IMPORTANT!!

In addition to turning this form in at County Fair check-in, it is also very important that the 4-H youth keep adequate records and similar documentation in your own personal files regarding the purchase of your animals, buying/selling transactions, and even home-grown animals. Youth are welcome to use this same form for their own personal records. Documentation is required by USDA for all livestock producers (including those with youth livestock projects) of these species.

Important information for youth to maintain in their records (for more specifics, visit the website: www.ams.usda.gov/COOL )
1. Information regarding all animals purchased by 4-H youth
2. Date of transaction
3. Who did you buy from (Seller’s contact Information)
4. What did you buy (total # of animals, animal ID for all animals, general description)
5. What country were the animals BORN in and RAISED in
6. Appropriate signatures
7. Information regarding all animals sold by 4-H youth
8. Date of transaction
9. Who did you sell to (Seller’s/your contact Information)
10.What did you sell (total # of animals, animal ID for all animals, general description)
11. What country were the animals BORN in and RAISED in
12. Appropriate signatures

REMEMBER, 4-H youth, along with their parents/guardians, are responsible to maintain personal records of these transactions and we encourage you to use the form we have provided (or something similar). In case of an audit by USDA, you would be required to provide appropriate documentation**.

**All information in this document was created to educate Larimer County 4-H youth in market projects (and their parents/guardians). Information is represented as accurately as possible. For more information, for exact wording of the mandate, and for COOL documentation requirements, visit the web: www.ams.usda.gov/COOL or contact them directly.

COOL Form