Twenty-Six U.S. Senators Call on USDA and USTR to Uphold COOL as Trade Dispute Continues

USCA (January 5, 2010) - The U.S. Cattlemen’s Association issued a statement today applauding Senators Tim Johnson and Mike Enzi and twenty-four of their colleagues for sending a joint, bipartisan letter to Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk calling for their continued support for country of origin labeling (COOL) during the reauthorization of the most recent Farm Bill and at the World Trade Organization (WTO).

"We thank Senators Johnson and Enzi for once again championing the interests of cattle producers across the country," noted Jon Wooster, USCA President, San Lucas, Calif. "Twenty-six members of the U.S. Senate have clearly stated their support for COOL and are urging both the Secretary of Agriculture and the U.S. Trade Representative to mount an appropriate defense of the law during WTO dispute panel proceedings. We are deeply grateful for this bipartisan action."

The U.S. country of origin labeling law is being challenged at the World Trade Organization (WTO) by Canada and Mexico. The WTO recently agreed to establish a dispute panel to examine the U.S. rules for COOL implementation. The dispute panel process will include briefings from the nations involved and it is highly likely that the panel will hold hearings as well. A ruling could come later this year.

"We write to express our strong support for implementation of COOL in accordance with Congressional intent, and to discuss with you our appreciation for your continued support upholding mandatory COOL as the WTO dispute settlement process continues," wrote the Senators.

"Over forty-five other nations have each already implemented a food labeling program which provides country of origin information to consumers. As you know, both Canada and Mexico have implemented food labeling programs of their own to make such information available. Some of the origin labeling programs implemented in other countries require that more information be made available to the consumer than what is required by the food labeling program in the U.S. The food labeling programs established to date in other countries clearly indicate that the U.S. is implementing a reasonable program which is compliant with our trade obligations. For these reasons, we encourage you to continue to support the COOL program authored by the U.S. Congress during reauthorization of this most recent Farm Bill, and thank you for your prompt attention to this important matter."

Joining Senators Johnson and Enzi in their letter are Senators Dorgan, Barrasso, Feingold, Baucus, Murkowski, Tester, Harkin, Levin, McCaskill, Feinstein, Conrad, Thune, Kohl, Shelby, Brown, Snowe, Nelson, Collins, Landrieu, Wyden, Merkley, Vitter, Franken and Klobuchar.

Established in March 2007, USCA is committed to concentrating its efforts in Washington, DC to enhance and expand the cattle industry’s voice on Capitol Hill. USCA has a full-time presence in Washington, giving cattle producers across the country a strong influence on policy development. For more information go to www.uscattlemen.org.