COOL Regulations Are Here: We'll Get You Ready

A recording of this event is now available for viewing

Lloyd C. Day

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has released regulations for Country of Origin Labeling (COOL). Get expert advice on how to implement them during this FREE Webinar from PMA and Western Growers.

Get ready. Get set.

It's GO time! Country of origin labeling (COOL) Regulations are here. And we're here to make sure you, along with your peers from all segments of the supply chain, are prepared to meet the challenges posed by this issue. Once again, PMA and Western Growers have combined forces to offer you a key opportunity to stay current with origin labeling as we approach the September 30 deadline. On Wednesday, August 6 at 2 p.m. Eastern/ 11 a.m. Pacific, you are invited to attend a special Webinar entitled COOL Regulations Are Here: We'll Get You Ready.

Put COOL on your calendar. Here's why:

We've heard from USDA that there will be a phase-in period for COOL enforcement. But why wait until you're faced with a COOL compliance check? This Webinar will introduce you to the just-released USDA regulations for COOL, and will give you the chance to get answers to the biggest questions you have regarding this issue. You will:

• Learn first-hand from a USDA representative about COOL regulations and how to implement them to meet the impending deadline.
• Gain an understanding of how to comply with the new regulations.
• Get the latest on how to make origin labeling easy for your company and your supply chain partners.
• Have a chance to ask your questions and get answers from the experts.
• Learn about other upcoming education programs on COOL, including USDA listening sessions and a workshop at PMA's Fresh Summit.

Join PMA and Western Growers on August 6 and hear from the subject matter experts who wrote the rules - COOL regulations will be presented by a USDA representative.

Speakers Include:

Kathy Means, Vice President of Government Relations, PMA
Matt McInerney, Executive Vice President, WGA
Lloyd C. Day, Administrator of Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA

BONUS: Three additional COOL experts from the USDA will be available during the question-and-answer portion of the Webinar as additional resources on COOL questions.

Recording of June 24 COOL webinar available.
A recording is now available of an earlier COOL Webinar, also hosted by PMA and Western Growers.  The June 24 Webinar presented draft COOL best management practices that had been developed by a joint task force whose members represent the entire supply chain.  The free recording and the best practices can be downloaded from PMA’s Web site; the best practices are also available on Western Growers’ Web site.

Registration has closed for this event but for member convenience and future reference, the Webinar will be recorded and available free of charge for download (along with the presentation) within a week of its conclusion. Those resources will be posted at http://www.pma.com/issues/labeling.cfm as soon as they are available.

About the Speakers

Kathy Means
Vice President of Government Relations, PMA

Kathy joined PMA in 1989 and is responsible for government affairs, public affairs, and self-regulatory programs. She leads the association’s food safety/security efforts. She also represents PMA in the industry on the Agricultural Technical Advisory Committee (ATAC) for Trade in Fruits and Vegetables. Appointed by Secretary of Agriculture Ed Schafer and U.S. Trade Representative Ambassador Susan C. Schwab, Means is one of 34 chosen nationally to sit on the committee. She has a master’s in nonprofit management and bachelor's degrees in journalism and French. 

Matt McInerney
Executive Vice President, Western Growers Association

Matt’s knowledge of industry-wide issues was gained from his extensive duties in the Trade Practices/Commodity Services department. His expertise has gained him recognition as an expert on Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act (PACA) issues. Matt has had a leadership role in the development of food safety guidance for fresh produce. In 2004, he was appointed by the Secretary of Agriculture to the USDA Fruit and Vegetable Industry Advisory Committee and served two terms. Matt serves as Vice Chair of the Alliance for Food and Farming, and is currently a member of the Specialty Crop Committee of the National Agricultural Research, Extension, Education, and Economics (NAREEE) Advisory Board. He has also served as Chairman of the Dispute Resolution Corporation (DRC).

Lloyd C. Day
Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA

In his current role, Lloyd is responsible for a wide range of programs that facilitate the domestic and international marketing of U.S. agricultural products. He directs several marketing program, including voluntary, fee-for-service, certifications of agricultural product quality, daily price reports on agricultural commodities in domestic and foreign markets; industry-funded, national research and promotion programs for over a dozen agricultural products; and regulatory programs that allow farmers to cooperate in the marketing of their products and ensure fair trading practices in the marketplace. In addition, Lloyd is responsible for the procurement of commodities, including fruits and vegetables, meat, poultry, fish and egg products, for the national school lunch and other federal food and nutrition programs. Previously, he served as Special Assistant to the Administrator of USDA's Foreign Agricultural Service, where he was responsible for coordinating the Department of Mexico-related activity in the areas of foreign trade, the environment, and the Partnership for Prosperity initiative established by President Bush and Mexican President Vincente Fox. He also served as point-person on high-priority U.S.-Canada issues. Lloyd has a bachelor's and master's degree from Stanford University and also a master's degree from Glasgow University in Scotland.