WASHINGTON, D.C. — Don’t repeal or weaken the U.S. country of origin labeling (COOL) law in federal spending legislation: That’s what the U.S. Cattlemen’s Assoc. (USCA) said in a letter also signed by 206 agricultural and rural-based organizations, sent Dec. 2 to U.S. Sens. Barbara Mikulski (D-Md.) and Richard Shelby (R-Ala.), chair and ranking member respectively of the Senate Appropriations Committee.

"As Congress begins crafting a spending bill to fund the government for the remainder of fiscal year 2015, any effort to modify or repeal COOL as part of such legislation must be opposed," said Danni Beer, president of USCA.

"We remain committed to ensuring that the United States is able to have full review of the compliance of its current regulations at the World Trade Organization (WTO) before there is any consideration of what other actions may be appropriate."

According to the WTO report released in October, the labeling rule unfairly discriminates against meat imports and gives an advantage to domestic meat products. This report was the second time the WTO has ruled against the United States in this dispute.

After passing mandatory COOL rules in 2008, the United States amended COOL in 2012 following an earlier WTO ruling against it. The United States recently appealed this latest ruling, on Nov. 28.

"Country of origin labeling is a big deal for cattle producers across the country," said Jess Peterson, USCA spokesperson. "We live and work in a global market, and the ability to differentiate your product in the marketplace is critical, especially now in today’s setting.

"People want to know more about their food. This is a great opportunity for the producer to connect with the consumer. It is an issue that links everyone together, from pasture to fork."

One of the cosigners of the USCA letter was the Ohio Farmers Union (OFU). This organization has worked on the COOL issue for almost two decades, said Joe Logan, OFU president.

"We are optimistic that the United States can negotiate a settlement among the parties – this includes Canada and Mexico," he explained. "We see no reason for the U.S. Congress to change the rule which we firmly support and believe to be WTO-compliant; we urge Congress to stand down and take no actions while we negotiate with the partners and come to a resolution."

The COOL law is supported by producers and consumers, Peterson said.

In the past, Congress has attempted to remove the funding so the law could not be implemented, or to change the law in a way that would damage the integrity of the label.

"It would allow for other countries to get the USA label, which is undercutting the integrity of the label," Peterson said. "We don’t know what exactly they have baked up (in Congress). We just know it is not good, and it is not something that is going to continue a successful, important program."

The WTO appellate body could have a ruling by late spring of 2015. "To be continued" is probably an accurate description of the COOL situation, Peterson said.