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Organizations Want COOL Law Defended

The National Farmers Union and the U.S. Cattlemen's Association want U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk to vigorously defend the U.S. Country of Origin Labeling law at the World Trade Organization.  The organizations are responding to the Dec. 4, 2009, Federal Register Notice regarding the COOL challenge filed by Canada and Mexico with the WTO.

USCA President Jon Wooster says a close examination of the data and facts surrounding this international challenge of a domestic law reflects that North American livestock trade has been impacted by the volatility in exchange rates, Canadian and U.S. feed prices, climate conditions, escalating transportation costs, competing protein sources, a weakened economy, a subsequent decline in demand for beef products and a substantial decline in Canadian cattle herds.

NFU President Roger Johnson says his organization has been a long-time advocate for COOL, playing a key role in the negotiations that led to its inclusion in the 2008 Farm Bill and working with the USDA to ensure the law's implementation and enforcement.