• Subscribe
  • Donate Now
  • logo
  • logo
  • Stories
    • Agribusiness
    • Coronavirus
    • Dicamba on Trial
    • Energy
    • Environment
    • Government
    • Labor
    • Health
    • Climate Change and Agribusiness
    • Wellness on the Farm
      • Wellness on the Farm
      • Mental health resources in the Midwest
  • Espanol
  • Graphic of the Week
  • Resources
    • Datasets and Documents
    • Reporter Guides
    • Training
  • Send us a tip securely
  • We want your pitches
  • About The Center
  • Jobs
  • Donate Now
  • More
    • About The Center
    • Board of Directors
    • User Agreement and Privacy Policy
    • Donor Transparency
    • Editorial Independence Policy
    • Contact Us
Beef

Country of origin labels set to go away

By | June 2, 2015
More
  • More on Beef
  • Subscribe to Beef

Meat sold in the United States could soon lack a label that maps its origins.

In 2009, Congress mandated that all livestock must include a country-of-origin labeling throughout what is commonly referred to as the COOL law. Under the requirements, the label must show where livestock was born, raised and slaughtered.

Canada and Mexico have alleged that these labels are discriminatory and will cost the countries business in U.S. markets. In response to COOL, Canada threatened retaliation by placing higher taxes on many goods from the U.S..

On May 18, the World Trade Organization ruled in favor of the two countries’ allegations for the second time this year.

The World Trade Organization ruling stated the meat labels violate international trade law.

Just two days later, on May 20, the House Committee on Agriculture voted 38-6 to repeal COOL labeling requirements for beef, pork and chicken. Requirements would still be effective for all other commodities including veal, lamb, goat and fresh and frozen fruit.

In May, the World Trade Organization determined that the United State's COOL labels violate international trade law.

Photo by Darrell Hoemann/Midwest Center for Investigatibe Reporting

In May, the World Trade Organization determined that the United State's COOL labels violate international trade law.

“We must do all we can to avoid retaliation by Canada and Mexico and this bill accomplishes that through full repeal of labeling requirements for beef, pork and chicken,” said Committee Chairman Michael Conaway (R-Texas).

According to an article from IndustryWeek, “Canada could slap duties on a multitude of U.S. goods that range from fruits and chocolates to cereal, jewelry and wooden furniture.”

Dozens of big agribusinesses, including Archer Daniels Midland and Cargill, fought against the COOL labeling, as well.

In a letter to Congress last year, a coalition of these companies and others called for the law’s repeal:

"Given the negative impact on the U.S. manufacturing and agriculture economies, we respectfully submit that it would be intolerable for the United States to maintain, even briefly, requirements that have been deemed non-compliant by the WTO," the letter read. "Accordingly, we request that Congress immediately act to assure U.S. compliance with international trade obligations. Prompt enactment of such a contingency plan is an essential defense of American export markets and jobs."

Parts of the U.S. beef industry opposes COOL labeling, as it says it will lose Americans billions of dollars and give nothing back to consumers.

“COOL is a failed program that will soon cost not only the beef industry, but the entire U.S. economy, with no corresponding benefit to consumers or producers,” Bob McCan, National Beef Association President, said in a statement earlier this year.

Additionally, the North American Meat Institute issued a statement applauding the House Committee on Agriculture on its bill to repeal COOL labels.

A bill has not yet been introduced in the Senate Committee on Agriculture.

Still, some U.S. meat producers are in favor of COOL labeling because they feel meat made in America gives their product an edge in a globalizing market.

“In an increasingly global market, labeling our beef, as well as other products will increase demand for U.S. products, which in turn will lead to increased production, more jobs and economic development,” Wyoming rancher Wilma Tope wrote in a statement to Congress.

Other advocates argue that consumers have the right to know where their food is coming from.


The conversation

Mystery meat is not COOL! Support labeling by calling your Senators and reps today! @IAfarmersunion

— Deborah Bunka (@deborahlbunka) May 28, 2015

The Country of Origin Labeling debate has always interested me. We slap "Made in.." labels on everything else?http://t.co/eOAcSr36PA

— Chad Smith (@agricaster) May 26, 2015

Tell Congress to Keep COOL and keep labeling country of origin on food products. http://t.co/Wncu8UdoC1

— Celestial Buttons (@CelestialButton) May 28, 2015

Thanks to our sponsors

loganfoundation mccormick foundation

Member Of

Member
  • Investigate Midwest
  • About The Center
  • Contact Us
  • Support the Midwest Center

About Investigate Midwest

The Midwest Center for Investigative Reporting is a nonprofit, online newsroom offering investigative and enterprise coverage of agribusiness,big ag and related issues through data analysis, visualizations, in-depth reports and interactive web tools. Learn More »

Search This Site

Browse Archives

© Copyright 2021, Midwest Center for Investigative Reporting

Investigate Midwest is a member of the Institute for Nonprofit News

Built with the Largo WordPress Theme from the Institute for Nonprofit News.

Back to top ↑

The Midwest Center for Investigative Reporting uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish.Accept Learn More
Privacy & Cookies Policy