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South Dakota Senators Stand up for COOL
December 15, 2011
Portions of the country of origin labeling (COOL) law passed in the 2008 farm bill were validated by a World Trade Organization (WTO) ruling in November which held that the United States has the right to label foods so that consumers can know where the meat products they buy come from. But the WTO’s Dispute Settlement Panel (DSP) ruling doesn’t go far enough, according to South Dakota Farmers Union (SDFU) President Doug Sombke.
“The WTO’s ruling is a step in the right direction,” Sombke said. “But I’m concerned about a portion of their ruling which said the COOL law treats cattle and hogs from Canada and Mexico less favorably that U.S.-origin livestock.”
Yesterday, a group of senators, including Sen. Tim Johnson, D-S.D., and Sen. John Thune, R-S.D., agreed. They sent a letter to Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack and Ambassador Ron Kirk asking them to appeal that portion of the WTO ruling so the COOL law could be fully implemented.
“We request that your agencies take appropriate actions to appeal the DSP’s ruling and to work to ensure that our COOL program both meets our international trade obligations while continuing to provide such information to consumers,” the letter said.
“I appreciate the work of South Dakota’s senators and many others from across the country for continuing to support COOL,” Sombke said. “It’s incredibly important that consumers know where their food is produced. It’s a common sense law that gives consumers power.”
The senators’ letter went on to say that many of the United States’ major trading partners, including Canada and Mexico, also impose their own country of origin labeling requirements for imported meats. “As such, it is clear that it is within our authority under our WTO obligations to implement such a program,” the letter said.
A total of 19 senators signed the letter showing their support for COOL.
Last Modified: 12-15-2011-13:53:57
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