Thursday, the Country of Origin Labeling Reform Coalition sent a letter to Congress asking for non compliant parts of COOL to be rescinded. Recently the World Trade Organization determined the rule violates international trade rules. United States Cattlemen’s Association President Danni Beer says the Reform Coalition is worried about retaliation from Canada and Mexico. She says having any or part of COOL rescinded isn’t warranted at this time as the WTO ruling can still be appealed.
Beer says Canada and Mexico at this time can’t even prove damages from the U.S. Country of Origin Labeling law and to be able to retaliate they have to ask for permission from the WTO which wouldn’t happen until next summer at the earliest.
In their letter the Reform Coalition said if Congress rescinds the trade distorting parts of COOL, it wouldn’t undermine the rest of the law nor would it weaken the U.S. defense of COOL in WTO litigation.