House Agriculture Committee Chairman Michael Conaway (R-TX) held a press conference today to announce legislation to repeal the Country of Origin Labeling (COOL) requirements for beef, pork and chicken.

Conaway was joined by a bi-partisan group of representatives from a variety of states including Rep. Jim Costa (D-CA), Rep. David Rouzer (R-NC), Rep. Vicky Hartzler (R-MO), Rep. Kurt Schrader (D-OR), and Rep. Brad Ashford (D-NE), as well as representatives from livestock organizations and other industries that are targets of potential trade retaliation by Canada and Mexico.

Among those taking part was National Cattlemen’s Beef Association president Philip Ellis of Wyoming. “As a fifth-generation rancher I am proud of the products we produce and we produce the best beef in the world, but mandatory labeling has only cost producers money without benefit,” said Ellis.
“We support voluntary labeling efforts, efforts that give consumers the information they are looking for and reward producers all along the supply chain for meeting specifications.”

The Agriculture Committee will hold a business meeting tomorrow morning to consider the bill. Introduction of the bill to repeal COOL follows on the fourth and final ruling against the United States by the WTO Monday.