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NFU and USCA release COOL analysis

The National Farmers Union (NFU) and the United States Cattlemen’s Association (USCA) say changes to Country of Origin Labeling (COOL) legislation are not needed to comply with the recent WTO ruling on COOL.

A legal analysis released by the two groups today says the USDA can come into compliance with the World Trade Organization appeals panel by “amending the COOL regulations.”

The paper says “more information and accurate details” about the country or countries where animals are born, raised or slaughtered are needed for labeling and that won’t result in higher costs for consumers. The WTO has ruled that the current regulations regarding COOL are not up to WTO standards.

The WTO dispute panel sided with Canada and Mexico last June, ruling that the COOL regulations put their beef and pork at a disadvantage in the U.S. market, a violation of WTO rules. The US Trade Representative’s office had appealed in late 2011.