Ohio Farmers Union

Serving Family Farmers and Consumers Since 1934



United to Grow Family Agriculture Since 1934

  • About
    • The Farmers Union Triangle
    • Vision
    • OFU Leadership
  • Issues
    • 2020 Virtual Lobby Days
    • OFU Policy & NFU Policy
    • 2019 Lobby Day Registration
    • Get Involved!
    • NFU Climate Leaders
  • Education
    • 2019 OFU Essay Contest
    • Ohio Farmers Union Scholarships
    • Farm Safety
    • Renewable Energy Curriculum
  • Insurance
    • Hastings Mutual Insurance Co.
    • Health & Other Offerings
    • Ohio BWC Group Coverage
  • Join Us
    • Member Benefits
    • Insurance
  • Blog

Johnson Makes Case for COOL

May 5, 2015 By Ron Sylvester Leave a Comment

Share
Share on Google Plus
Share
Share on Facebook
Share
Share this
Pin
Pin this
0Share
Share on LinkedIn0 shares on LinkedIn
0Share
Share on StumbleUpon0 shares on StumbleUpon

nfunr2National Farmers Union President Roger Johnson argued recently in Agri-Pulse that regardless of the upcoming announcement from the World Trade Organization (WTO) on America’s popular labeling law – Country-of-Origin Labeling (COOL) – Congress needs to let the WTO process run its course.

“The announcement from the WTO on this lawsuit is due in just weeks, and we may win.  If not, it can still be brought to arbitration. And that’s why it’s important that Congress refrain from making any changes to the popular labeling law until this process has run its course,” notes Johnson in Agri-Pulse. “To do otherwise would not only be unprecedented in U.S. history, but would also be a disservice to consumers who support COOL by a margin of 90 percent, according to decade’s worth of polling.”

Johnson notes that the food labeling movement is no longer confined to the U.S., but now includes the European Union as well. “A few years ago European politicians got an earful when their constituents learned that they were walking around with a stomachful ¾ of horsemeat. Meat from horses labeled as beef was being imported into the European Union (EU), and since strict labeling laws were not in place in one of the world’s most lucrative markets, consumers were tricked into eating something very different than they thought,” he notes.

Johnson notes the next step in the arbitration process, should the WTO rule against America’s consumers and producers in May, is that Canada and Mexico can retaliate against U.S. But the level of retaliation can be subject to arbitration, if requested by the U.S.  The level of arbitration is limited to the adverse effects on Canadian and Mexican exports to the U.S.

“Proving COOL has caused economic harm is going to be no small feat for Canada, given the recent study out of Auburn University that found it was the economic collapse of 2008 – not COOL – that caused a dip in Canadian exports to the U.S.,” he notes.

Johnson notes that COOL is not only popular with consumers, who like to know where their food comes from, but producers as well. “The other side of the equation is the perspective of American producers, who strongly support COOL because they are proud of what they produce. After all, we have the most productive and efficient agriculture sector in the world, and it’s producing the safest, most nutritious food available anywhere. Why wouldn’t they want to have their name on the product?”

Johnson points out that the WTO is ultimately a political body and the global political environment is clearly shifting towards more information for consumers, not less, so in the end, pressure will mount within the WTO to recognize and accept the rights of consumers to the increased information provided by COOL.

“Until then, Congress needs to keep its hands off COOL.”

Share this:

  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook
  • Click to share on X (Opens in new window) X

Filed Under: Blog Tagged With: Agri-Pulse, Congress, COOL, Country of Origin Labeling, Roger Johnson, WTO

Leave a ReplyCancel reply

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • RSS
  • YouTube

Latest News from the Ohio & National Farmers Union

National Farmers Union Week of Action for Strong Farm Bill

National Farmers Union (NFU) today concluded the Week of Action that gathered more than 100 farmers from across the country to the halls of Congress … Read More

How Do Tariffs Affect Family Farms?

A Talk in Kent, Ohio with Ohio Farmers Union and Others Have you noticed the price of eggs? Who hasn’t! How do government actions and tariffs … Read More

NFU Praises Sale of E15 Through Summer

National Farmers Union (NFU) applauds the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) emergency fuel waiver allowing nationwide sale of E15 gasoline … Read More

Farmers Union Supports Congressional Oversight of Trade and Tariffs

National Farmers Union (NFU) today sent a letter to the U.S. House and Senate, urging lawmakers to support the Trade Review Act of … Read More

Check Out the Entire Blog

NATIONAL FARMERS UNION

Click to Take Action



Contact

Ohio Farmers Union
P.O. Box 363
1011 N. Defiance Street
Ottawa, Ohio 45875
Phone: (419) 523-5300
Toll Free: (800) 321-3671

Copyright Ohio Farmers Union© 2025 | Site by: RCS Communications

 

Loading Comments...