Source: Tom Johnston, MEATINGPLACE, 10/31/14


The District of Columbia appeals court denied a request by the American Meat Institute and other industry groups to rehear a July decision that upheld earlier decisions ruling that country-of-origin labeling (COOL) law doesn’t violate their First Amendment rights to freedom of speech, according to court documents filed today.

The decision also prevents the meat industry’s request for a rehearing by the court’s three-judge panel that ruled against its non-First Amendment claims.  

The industry has sought an en banc rehearing. Meat industry representatives lost their appeal seeking a preliminary injunction blocking implementation of the COOL rule. The case was a split decision based on interpretation of First Amendment law as it applies to commercial speech.

The case is separate from the COOL issue recently decided by WTO, which said the law violates U.S. obligations of international trade law by discriminating against import of livestock.

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