Leadership in the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry have conflicting views on a solution to Country of Origin Labeling (COOL), but the industry mostly supports repeal.

The COOL Reform Coalition put out a statement applauding Sen. Roberts (R-KS) amendment recommendations that would “prevent costly retaliatory tariffs by Mexico and Canada by repealing U.S. COOL requirements for muscle cuts of beef and pork.”

“The ten-year cost of COOL is over $8 billion according to the USDA, and we are now facing retaliation by two of our largest trading partners for violating our international trade obligations,” said Philip Ellis, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association president and rancher from Chugwater, Wyo. “The Canadian and Mexican governments have already stated a voluntary label does not fix the issue and they will pursue retaliation. Our country is about to be heavily taxed on commodities ranging from wine, to apples and even jewelry and furniture, because we have not held up our end of our trade deals. Instead of providing a fix, Senator Stabenow is perpetuating the problem and forcing us to face retaliation.”

“We’re grateful that Chairman Roberts recognizes that repeal of COOL meat labeling is the only move left, with retaliation from Canada and Mexico imminent,” said National Pork Producers Council President Dr. Ron Prestage, a veterinarian and pork producer from Camden, S.C. “The United States had its day in court, and it lost. We’re in the sentencing phase now, and without repeal, a sentence of up to $3 billion soon will be imposed on our exports.”

On the other side of the argument, National Farmers Union (NFU) President Roger Johnson thanked Senators Stabenow, (D-MI), Hoeven, (R-ND), and the other bill cosponsors for their introduction of voluntary COOL recommendations. “This is the only politically viable means of preventing Congress from completely stripping away a clear national label for livestock born, raised, and slaughtered in the U.S. by developing a clear, strong, and honest ‘made in the USA’ label that consumers can ask for and trust,” said Johnson.