USCA Applauds Senators’ Initiative to Support U.S. Producers and Consumers

Contact: Jess Peterson, (202) 870-3867 - Email usca@uscattlemen.org

USCA (January 3, 2012) - The U.S. Cattlemen’s Association (USCA) applauds the bipartisan leadership of Senators Tim Johnson (D-SD) and Mike Enzi (R-WY) with regard to the challenge of the U.S. Country of Origin Labeling (COOL) law brought by Canada and Mexico at the World Trade Organization (WTO). Senators Johnson and Enzi joined 17 Senators on a letter urging the Obama Administration to maintain its support and defense of COOL at the WTO level.

While the WTO Dispute Panel's findings were disappointing, USCA is pleased to see these Senators reaffirm their commitment to the U.S. cattle industry and a hugely popular and critical meat labeling law. The letter conveys the senators' recognition of the significant nature of the rule and also reiterates a key point of the COOL case; the information provided through COOL allows consumers access to the information they deserve while the industry is able to identify their product without undue burden to producers or processors.

USCA COOL Chair and Region X director Danni Beer stated, “USCA will remain committed to the COOL law throughout the appeal process. We look forward to working with Senators Johnson and Enzi along with their 17 colleagues, as well as our other Congressional allies, in order to support the U.S. Trade Representative's (USTR) efforts in defending U.S. rights in this trade dispute. USCA will continue to work with the Administration and Congress in order to aggressively defend the rights of U.S. consumers and producers in the appeal process and we appreciate the effort and commitment shown by these Senators.”
USCA greatly appreciates the support from the following Senators: Tim Johnson (D-SD), Mike Enzi (R-WY), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Jon Tester (D-MT), Charles Grassley (R-IA), Carl Levin (D-MI), Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Tom Udall (D-NM), Ron Wyden (D-OR), Kent Conrad (D-ND), Claire McCaskill (D-MO), Mary Landrieu (D-LA), John Barasso (R-WY), Michael Bennet (D-CO), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Tom Harkin (D-IA), John Hoeven (R-ND), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and John Thune (R-SD).

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.