The opponents of Country of Origin Meat labeling are pleased with yesterday’s House passage of a repeal bill and will now work to build support in the Senate. Nick Giordano, International Trade Counsel with the National Pork Producers Council says the U.S. is out of appeals and is out of compliance with the WTO rules. He says the only way to avoid retaliation from Canada and Mexico is to repeal COOL because he thinks they have the evidence to prove damages.

The key now is getting the votes lined up in the Senate for the COOL repeal bill and Giordano admits they have some work to do. To build their case they’re talking with lawmakers about what’s at stake for the entire U.S. economy.

He says they’re pushing for Senate repeal before the August recess because the WTO could authorize tariffs from Canada and Mexico yet this summer.