Country of Origin Labeling not dead yet

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[chance33_98]

Country of Origin Labeling not dead yet

Though COOL (Country of Origin Labeling) was cooled down in the U.S. House, it is not stone cold dead yet.

Thanks to the efforts of farm organizations, individual farmers and consumers across the United States, COOL is maintaining a heartbeat in the U.S. Senate.

It is apparent that USDA and the Bush Administration are not what one would call the biggest supporters of the legislation which was passed just last year. The recent efforts in the U.S. House in approving an amendment that would preclude USDA from spending any of next year's appropriations to implement COOL would bear that fact out.

However, despite those efforts in the House, COOL still lives in the U.S. Senate and we're urging you to stay involved and make your views known so that COOL can be revived and survive.

Many farm and consumer organizations, livestock producers and individuals worked very hard to get COOL approved in the first place. Overwhelmingly, polls still show that people want some form of labeling to show where the meat they purchased originated. The work of the House Ag subcommittee undermined what the people wanted and it's time to show, again, your support for COOL.

The labeling program is needed now more than ever. Earlier this year an isolated case of "mad cow" was reported in Canada. Immediately after cattle futures and industry stock shares plummeted. COOL would not have and cannot prevent future mad cow incidences, but it can help reassure consumers and our export customers by providing them with the information to make educated decisions regarding future meat purchases. COOL would also allow U.S. producers to differentiate themselves from countries that may have disease or food safety concerns.

So far, funding for COOL is intact in the Senate. Your calls, letters, and emails to Congressional representatives kept those opposed to COOL from introducing language in the Appropriations Committee that would have taken away funding for COOL.

But your continued support is needed now more than ever.

The FY 2004 Appropriations Bill will go to the Senate Floor after Labor Day. The Senate is headed home for a month long recess. Therefore, this Appropriations Bill will not be heard until after that recess. It is important that an amendment to strip funding is not slipped through when the Senate returns.

During this recess, it is important to let your Senators know where you stand on COOL and urge them to vote in favor of COOL. Tell them you want them to support full funding for Country of Origin Labeling and want their assurance they will reject any amendment that would cut its funding.

Writing letters to the editor is also an effective way of getting your views read by thousands of others where you can urge their support and also thank your Senator for past support, or urge them to change their mind. Another way to get your message out is to contact friends and family in other states and encourage them to contact their Senators with this message to support COOL.

[cherry]

COOL legislation should be a no-brainer....

I want to know where I am spending my money.....I want to chose American food products wherever I can..

[Gunslingr3]

I want to know where I am spending my money.....I want to chose American food products wherever I can..

Ok, but why does that require a law? Can't companies who want your business do this without being compelled by a law?

[prairiebreeze]

bump for later read

[Katya]

I never buy produce that isn't labeled now....some of the Latin countries use very different pesticides than we're normally exposed to. Their planes and spraying equipment are also often not as standardized or modern.