While policy makers attended the Missouri State Fair’s legislator day I spoke with a few of them about issues that have a huge impact on agriculture across the country like Country of Origin Labeling (COOL), which has yet to be addressed by Senate.

Missouri Senator Roy Blunt believes we must avoid retaliation from Mexico and Canada. “The likely result of doing that in a way we don’t have tariffs put on other ag products in addition to livestock products is to have no labeling.” Congress is currently debating whether it should be no labeling or voluntary.

Learn more about the Senator’s stance on other ag issues here: Interview with Senator Roy Blunt

Missouri Congresswomen Vicky Hartzler who sits on the House Ag Committee also had comments on this issue. “Canada and Mexico are our number one and number two trading partners. They have the authority right now to retaliate.” She added that Canada has already provided a list of products they will impose tariffs on. This retaliation will not only be damaging to agriculture, but also other American industries.

As one of the original co-sponsors of the bill in the House that passed repealing the entire program, Hartzler firmly stands behind that to ensure retaliation isn’t an option.

Listen to my complete interview with the Congresswomen here: Interview with Congresswomen Vicky Hartzler