ABERDEEN, S.D. -- American consumers have the right to know where the meat they eat originates. We got a step closer in the country-of-origin provision in the 2008 farm bill that Congress recently worked to re-authorize.
But we are not there quite yet, thanks to challenges from producers in Canada and Mexico. Ironically, both countries have implemented food labeling programs of their own to make country-of-origin information available.
The current U.S. legislation was implemented Sept. 30, 2008, under an Interim Final Rule, which requires retailers to label commodities -- including, but not limited, to muscle cuts and ground forms of pork, beef, lamb, goat and chicken -- according to their country of origin.
USDA issued an advance Federal Register notice of the Final Rule for COOL Jan. 12; it was published four days later and implemented March 16.
But within months of the implementation, Canada asked the World Trade Organization to intervene in a dispute with the United States over cattle and hog exports. Canada claims the requirements make it difficult for its cattle and hog exporters to compete fairly. Mexico asked the WTO to intervene because COOL regulations are having a significant impact on its bovine industry.
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The WTO blocked Canada's and Mexico's original panel request Oct. 23; the second dispute settlement panel request was heard by the WTO's Dispute Settlement Body Nov. 19. WTO agreed to establish a panel to examine the U.S. rules for COOL implementation; that process is continuing. No ruling is expected until later this year.
Sen. Tim Johnson, D-S.D., who has championed the effort from the start, and Sen. Mike Enzi, D-Wyo., have asked Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack and Trade Ambassador Ron Kirkland to uphold the mandatory COOL requirements as the WTO settlement dispute moves forward. The two senators and a group of 23 bipartisan colleagues are fighting to ensure that no changes are made that contradict the intent of Congress.
Johnson notes, "We have come a long way in making sure COOL is properly implemented; we cannot stop now. More than 45 other countries have COOL programs for food; we cannot let the United States fall further behind."
Enzi adds, "COOL is what the American people want and have been waiting on for years. It is a good law and on par with the other 45 nations."
It's not only what we want, it's what we deserve.
