Source: Chris Scott, MEATINGPLACE, 11/5/14


Two Senators, longtime supporters of the country-of-origin labeling (COOL) rule, are recommending that Congress wait for an official White House response on the latest version of the rule before making any legislative efforts one way or the other.

The Obama administration will have 60 days to respond to the World Trade Organization’s (WTO) determination that COOL offers less protection on Canadian and Mexican livestock versus cattle from the United States. U.S. officials have the option to appeal the WTO ruling, although officials in Canada are reportedly considering retaliatory actions if American leaders do not follow the WTO finding. 

Sen. Tim Johnson (D-S.D.) and Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) believe that U.S. lawmakers — who also have a say in the next step in COOL implementation — should wait until the White House makes its move before considering trying to change the labeling rule. Johnson, who has supported the COOL concept since 2002, told USA Today that “any talk (in Congress) about making changes to COOL is premature.”

Similarly, Grassley reportedly believes Congress will not do anything about COOL until the USDA and the U.S. Trade Representative weigh in on any appeal to the WTO decision, according to the report. Grassley, a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, sponsored COOL legislation as part of the 2002 farm bill.

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