Source: Lisa M. Keefe, MEATINGPLACE, 6/11/18


Legal efforts by groups seeking to resurrect Country of Origin Labeling laws have seen their lawsuit dismissed with prejudice, with a summary judgment in favor of defendant USDA, according to court documents.

Ranchers – Cattlemen Action Legal Fund (R-CALF), United Stockgrowers of America and Cattle Producers of Washington filed suit a year ago in U.S. District Court in the Eastern District of Washington state, asking the court to “declare unlawful and vacate USDA regulations related to the country of origin labeling (“COOL”) requirements of beef” and to “seek to enjoin Defendants from continuing to implement USDA regulations regarding the marking or labeling of imported beef or pork,” saying those regulations are in opposition to existing law.

The court, having reviewed the years of COOL regulations and challenges to them, both domestically and through the WTO, determined that existing COOL regulations “follow Congress’s clear intent” and so are not contrary to law. Also, the court noted that the plaintiffs had failed to prosecute the action within the applicable statute of limitations time period.

By dismissing the case “with prejudice,” the organizations are prohibited from refiling the case based on the same claims.

For more stories, go to www.meatingplace.com.