WTO decides on COOL compliance

Last week, the World Trade Organization gave a split decision that Country of Origin Labeling (COOL) is compliant with WTO rules.

“The ruling was a split decision,” said Roger Johnson, president, National Farmers Union. “It stated that imported animals are being discounted due to the segregation requirements and additional record keeping that is required to comply with the law. The good news is this can be changed through the regulatory process and there is no need to change the law that informs consumers from where their food comes.”

He said a statutory change isn’t necessary and NFU would not support any such modification.

“The appellate body also reversed the lower bodies ruling and said that COOL is not more trade restrictive, which is a win for the United States, our ranchers and our consumers,” he added.

North Dakota Farmers Union president Elwood “Woody” Barth said NDFU will continue to push the issue in Washington, D.C.

The labeling law was passed as a part of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 and amended in 2008. COOL requires retailers to notify their customers of the source of certain foods.

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