National Cattlemen’s Beef Association President Elect Kevin Kester, a California rancher testified this week at a NAFTA modernization hearing in Washington D.C.
The hearing was hosted by the U.S. Trade Representative’s office. Kester says his group wants to make sure whatever is negotiated with the trade deal doesn’t harm the U.S. cattle industry.

He says NCBA is opposed to a proposal from some of the other groups who testified calling for reinstating of Country of Origin Labeling in the NAFTA agreement.

Kester says both Canada and Mexico still have the WTO ruling on their side and would be able to put retaliatory tariffs on a host of U.S. products if COOL is reinstated. He says both the U.S. Trade Representative and Ag Secretary understand his group’s position and is hopeful they’ll carry through with their request.

Kester added that COOL was U.S. law for over six years and failed to deliver on its promises to build consumer confidence and add value for producers.