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
    • Online Sign-Up
    • Member Benefits
    • Insurance
  • Blog
  • Events

Logan: WTO Ruling on COOL Can Be Overcome with USDA Action

October 20, 2014 By Ron Sylvester Leave a Comment

ofulogoOhio Farmers Union President Joe Logan spoke out today in favor of country of origin labeling (COOL) for meat products sold in the U.S.

“Americans want to know were their food comes from and COOL has been ensuring that for several years,” Logan said.

“While the multi-national meat packers want to obscure this information and have continued to attack COOL through the World Trade Organization and the U.S. judicial system, the consumer’s right to know must continue to prevail,” Logan said.

Logan referred to a ruling today by the WTO that found that COOL in its amended form discriminates against the Canadian and Mexican livestock industries. The U.S. amended the COOL regulations after a similar ruling in 2012.

Logan said that the National Farmers Union has been a leader in preserving COOL for several years because of food safety concerns, the consumer’s right to know and to protect the value of U.S. beef, pork and poultry farmers and ranchers.

He and other members of the NFU board of directors believe that COOL implementation rules can be further tweaked administratively.

“The WTO has not found the law to be non-compliant,” Logan said. “At issue is our current implementation and that can be fixed.”

“Under the guidance of USDA, any changes to COOL to ensure full compliance with today’s decision should be able to be made administratively, while maintaining the integrity of COOL labels,” said Roger Johnson, NFU president.

A May 2013 public opinion poll found that more than 90 percent of consumers support COOL, and feelings for the labeling law are equally strong in rural America. “We are confident that given that level of support, Congress will reject all heavy-handed attempts to make legislative changes to this important labeling law,” said Johnson.

Since its passage in 2002, COOL has been under constant attack by the trans-national meat processing industry, and by the agribusiness advocates that operate under their influence – yet COOL has been repeatedly upheld by U.S. courts.

Filed Under: Blog

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • RSS
  • YouTube

Latest News from the Ohio & National Farmers Union

OFU Replaces In-Person Convention with Teleconference

Due to COVID-19 risk and restrictions, the Ohio Farmers Union's 87th Annual Convention will be held as a teleconference and full Board of Directors … Read More

Despite concerns from small farmers, Vilsack may be well-suited to withstand agribusiness influence

In a sprawling, diverse U.S. family farm community, questions are being asked about President-elect Joe Biden’s choice of Tom Vilsack to lead the USDA … Read More

Farmers Affected by the Pandemic Should Look at USDA Coronavirus Food Assistance Program

The USDA’s Coronavirus Food Assistance Program provides direct relief to certain farmers who have experienced price declines and additional marketing … Read More

Black Farmers: Beyond 40 Acres and a Mule

Sponsored in part by the Ohio Farmers Union, this event is FREE and open to the public. People of African descent have a long … 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© 2021 | Site by: RCS Communications