Twenty-eight senators have asked USDA and the U.S. Trade Representative to ensure that consumers know where their meat is produced when developing rules to come into compliance with the World Trade Organization’s (WTO) ruling last year on country-of-origin labeling (COOL).

P. Scott Shearer, Vice President

February 11, 2013

1 Min Read
Senators Urge COOL Compliance with WTO Ruling

Twenty-eight Senators have asked USDA and the U.S. Trade Representative to ensure that consumers know where their meat is produced when developing rules to come into compliance with the World Trade Organization’s (WTO) ruling last year on country-of-origin labeling (COOL). In a letter organized by Senators Jon Tester (D-MT), Mike Enzi (R-WY) and Tim Johnson (D-SD) they stated, “Congress intended that COOL provide as much information as possible about the origin of all meat cuts to consumers. Some flexibility is needed, but such flexibility cannot come at the expense of providing reliable information to families about the national origin of meat products.” The letter is supported by the National Farmers Union, Consumers Union, Consumer Federation of America, Public Citizen, R-CALF, Food and Water Watch and the U.S. Cattlemen’s Association. A USDA proposed rule is expected this spring.

About the Author(s)

P. Scott Shearer

Vice President, Bockorny Group, Inc.

Scott Shearer is vice president of the Bockorny Group Inc., a leading bipartisan government affairs consulting firm in Washington, D.C. With more than 30 years experience in government and corporate relations in state and national arenas, he is recognized as a leader in agricultural trade issues, having served as co-chairman of the Agricultural Coalition for U.S.-China Trade and co-chairman of the Agricultural Coalition for Trade Promotion Authority. Scott was instrumental in the passage of China Permanent Normal Trade Relations and TPA. He is past chairman of the USDA-USTR Agricultural Technical Advisory Committee for Trade in Animals and Animal Products and was a member of the USAID Food Security Advisory Committee. Prior to joining the Bockorny Group, Scott served as director of national relations for Farmland Industries Inc., as well as USDA’s Deputy Assistant Secretary for Congressional Affairs (1993-96), serving as liaison for the Secretary of Agriculture and the USDA to Congress.

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