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 … Read More
Industry Reacts to Senate Proposals for COOL Fix
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 … Read More
Senate Has Competing Approaches to COOL Fix
The chairman and ranking member of the Senate Agriculture Committee are at odds on how to fix Country of Origin Labeling (COOL) which has been found in violation of world trade rules. Chairman Senator Pat Roberts (R-KS) filed an amendment Thursday to the highway bill that would repeal mandatory COOL for beef, pork and chicken in an effort to prevent … Read More
Pork Groups Urge Senate To Act On COOL
The National Pork Producers Council and 34 state pork producer organizations are urging the Senate to take up legislation to repeal country of origin labeling requirements for beef, pork and poultry before Congress takes a month-long recess beginning in early August. The U.S. Country of Origin Labeling (COOL) law requires meat to be labeled with the country where the animal … Read More
NFU: Respect Consumers Wishes, Label Meat with COOL
A new study shows that American consumers prefer meat raised in the U.S., and the National Farmers Union says Congress should respect consumers’ rights to know and reject efforts to repeal Country-of-Origin Labeling (COOL). “Opponents of COOL have argued that it has no impact on consumers’ purchasing decisions,” said Johnson. “This study clearly shows the opposite: that consumers use COOL … Read More
Comments from COOL Hearing
This morning U.S. Senator Pat Roberts, R-Kan., Chairman of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry, held a hearing on Country of Origin Labeling (COOL) and trade retaliation. He believes “retaliation is coming, and now is the time to act.” “If you take anything away from my remarks today, I hope it is this: facts are stubborn things, and … Read More
Ranking Member Releases Proposal on COOL
In advance of tomorrow’s hearing, U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow – ranking member of the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry – released a draft proposal that offers a pathway forward on country-of-origin labeling (COOL) in the wake of the recent World Trade Organization (WTO) ruling. “This approach is a pathway to finding a solution on country of origin … Read More
Senate Ag Committee to Hold Hearing on COOL
The Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry will hold a hearing on Country of Origin Labeling (COOL) and trade retaliations on Thursday, June 25 at 10am to discuss what is at stake for America’s farmers, ranchers, businesses and consumers. The hearing will take place in G50 Dirksen Senate Office Building in Washington D.C. and webcast live on ag.senate.gov. U.S. … Read More
Global Business Panel on COOL
With the World Trade Organization Wednesday to hear formal requests from Mexico and Canada to retaliate against the United States over Country of Origin Labeling (COOL) for meat products, a Global Business Dialogue panel at the National Press Club Tuesday was very timely. The panel, which was sponsored by the National Pork Producers Council, featured representatives from both countries discussing … Read More
House Votes to Repeal COOL for Meat
By a vote of 300 to 131, the House of Representatives passed legislation late Wednesday to repeal Country of Origin Labeling (COOL) for beef, pork and chicken. “I am thankful for the support of my colleagues today in passing this common-sense, bipartisan bill that is a necessary targeted response to avoid retaliation from Canada and Mexico,” said House Agriculture Committee … Read More