A bipartisan group of 32 senators are urging the Senate to reject any efforts to weaken or suspend country-of-origin labeling (COOL) requirements. The Senators said in a letter to the Senate Appropriations Committee, that while COOL is still being considered by the World Trade Organization (WTO), the Senate “should not undermine the United States’ position by inserting a legislative rider into an Appropriations bill before the WTO process is final.”

According to the Senators, “Congress enacted COOL in response to demand from consumers and livestock producers. Any legislative rider to undermine it would disadvantage American producers and roll-back the transparency within our meat markets. It is critical that Congress not short-circuit ongoing efforts to support American producers and consumers.” The letter was organized by Sens. Jon Tester (D-MT), Mike Enzi (R-WY) and Tim Johnson (D-SD). The WTO is expected to rule on the COOL case filed by Canada and Mexico against the United States later this month.