Congress has moved in the to make sure U.S. Country of Origin Labeling (COOL) requirements for meat products comply with U.S. trade obligations in the new appropriations bill. The bipartisan action to direct the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the U.S. Trade Representative to report recommendations no later than May 1, 2015 to Congress gained the praise of the COOL Reform Coalition.

If the U.S. loses its final appeal before the World Trade Organization, the subsequent authorized retaliation would cost the U.S. economy billions in exports to Canada and Mexico, the two largest markets for U.S. exports. Businesses and workers in the U.S. would unfairly pay the price as the threat of retaliation impacts business operations and is felt throughout the supply chain.

Simply, a finding of noncompliance means economic harm and lost jobs. That is just too high a price to pay for breaking the very trade rules the U.S. was instrumental in writing.

The coalition says while the action by Congress is a good start, more action is needed to make sure the parts COOL that found to violate U.S. trade obligations are repealed.