Ted Yoho: End Mandatory COOL Labels on Meat Products

U.S. Rep. Ted Yoho, R-Fla., who sits on the House Agriculture Committee, backed a bill on Wednesday to end mandatory Country of Origin Labeling (COOL) requirements on meat products. The World Trade Organization (WTO) noted earlier this week that COOL requirements violate trade agreements and Canada and Mexico have threatened to retaliate against the U.S., leading to a possible trade war.

The House Agriculture Committee passed the bill on a 38-6 vote on Wednesday and Yoho weighed in afterward.

Todays bipartisan committee vote is a step in the right direction for Americas farmers, ranchers, and consumers. Repealing COOL requirements will restore stability and help erase the uncertainty for our agriculture sector while easing tension with our two closest allies and trading partners; Canada and Mexico, Yoho said.

The COOL amendment was challenged by Canada and Mexico in the World Trade Organization (WTO) and the U.S. lost on four different occasions, Yoho added. COOL does not add to consumer safety but is a government-mandated marketing program. The role of government is to make sure the food we eat is safe and wholesome. That is what the USDA stamp of approval represents to us, the consumer."