The Consumer Federation of America is urging Farm Bill conferees to defend the 2008 Country of Origin Labeling (COOL) law for beef, poultry, pork, fresh and frozen fruits and vegetables, and some nuts. The National Farmers Union, the U.S. Cattleman’s Association, and the American Sheep Industry ASsociation joined in urging Congress to ignore a letter from agribusiness that asked Congress to change the law.
Chris Waldrop, Director of the Food Policy Institute at Consumer Federation of America said in a statement, “Ninety percent of Americans strongly support mandatory country of origin labeling for fresh meat and, in fact, want even more information about the meat they purchase. There is no reason for Congress to change this popular law.”
A recent World Trade Organization decision on COOL affirmed the U.S. government’s right to require labeling on meat products, but said that the USDA should adjust some provisions. Those changes included giving consumers more information on where each of the production steps for cattle occurs.
Damn straight
Tell me what I should avoid
Countries that don’t care enough to safeguard their babies