26 South Dakota organizations including 5 ag groups and 21 livestock auction sales barns are asking Congresswoman Kristi Noem to lead the charge in defending Country of Origin Labeling.  South Dakota Stock Growers Executive Director Silvia Christen says there was anti cool language contained in the recently passed budget bill and they’re expecting more attacks in the farm bill.

Christen says their coalition wants Noem to be ready when specific amendments to the farm bill come up and as a member of the conference committee she’s in the best position to defend COOL.

She says South Dakota’s livestock producers are proud of the high quality meat they raise and customers need to have a choice about the food they’re putting on their dinner table and need to know where it comes from.