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WASHINGTON, DC -- This morning, the World Trade Organization (WTO) Appellate Body made public its ruling on the United States' Country of Origin Labeling (COOL) regulation on certain muscle cuts of meat, citing that the regulation violates international trade rules and has caused harm to Canada and Mexico, which complained to the WTO.
The ruling could result in retaliation against the United States through import tariffs if the labeling doesn't end. House Agriculture Committee Chairman Mike Conaway (R-TX) is currently working on legislation in conjunction with Rep. Jim Costa (D-CA) which would repeal the COOL regulation for beef and pork exports and bring the U.S. back into WTO compliance.
Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman, Pat Roberts (R-KS) has indicated that the Committee will be considering all options but has not yet committed to using legislation repealing COOL as a solution.
"The Senate Agriculture Committee will consider any option, including repeal regarding meat, that will allow the United States to be WTO-compliant and avoid retaliation from Canada and Mexico," Roberts said in a statement. "We'll do whatever it takes to protect the livelihood of American farmers, ranchers, and industries that will be targeted by retaliation."
"Today's decision is the third by a WTO body that has gone against the United States," said USA Rice COO Bob Cummings. "It's time for the United States to bring COOL regulations into compliance with our WTO obligations, and we support efforts in Congress to achieve this common sense goal."
Cummings continued, "Canada and Mexico are among the top five export markets for U.S. rice and we are very concerned about possible retaliation, perhaps by the end of this year, by these governments against exports of U.S. rice."
Contact: Peter Bachmann (703) 236-1475
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