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COOL debate continues

The debate over country of origin labeling (COOL) continues.

The National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) is urging Senators to take up legislation to repeal COOL before they leave town in early August for a month-long recess. NPPC says full repeal of COOL is necessary to avoid retaliatory tariffs by Canada and Mexico.

Colin Woodall, vice president of government affairs for the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, agrees.

“It’s been made very clear.  We’ve looked at this from every different angle. The only way that’s going to stop retaliation is full repeal, period,” Woodall says.

AUDIO: Colin Woodall

But the National Farmers Union (NFU) is pushing Congress to consider options besides repeal, including establishment of a voluntary labeling program.  NFU says consumers have a right to know where their food comes from.  The farm group points to a recent University of Arkansas study which, according to NFU, shows that consumers prefer meat from the U.S. when provided with a country of origin label.

NFU president Roger Johnson calls talk of retaliation by Canada and Mexico “scaremongering at its finest”.