USDA moves forward with origin labeling for fish and shellfish

USDA moves forward with origin labeling for fish and shellfish    The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Marketing Service has issued an interim final rule to begin implementing country of origin labeling for fish and shellfish sold on American grocer shelves.
   The interim final rule becomes effective April 4, and doesn’t apply to frozen fish or shellfish caught or harvested before Dec. 6. The agency will take comments from industry about the rule through Jan. 3.
   The 2002 Farm Security and Rural Investment Act contains regulations to provide origin labels for beef, lamb, pork, perishable commodities, peanuts and fish and shellfish. Congress delayed the regulations, originally scheduled for full implementation by Sept. 30, to Sept. 30, 2006 after numerous protests from the industry. However, both wild and farm-raised fish and shellfish were exempt from the delay.
   The USDA estimates the total incremental costs for this interim final rule in the first year of implementation will be $19 million for fish producers and harvesters, $13 million for intermediaries, and $57 million for retailers.
   Questions whether a product is considered a covered commodity or is labeled accurately under this regulation may be e-mailed to cool@usda.gov.