If we want to know whether our food is raised by American farmers, meeting USDA/FDA standards, or is being imported from Third World countries with endemic levels of pollution, corruption and fraud (like China), we have to fight the agribusiness lobbyists and make sure that the Country-of-Origin Labeling (COOL) is not once again delayed.

Please take a few minutes to read the message below from the National Farmers Union and then call your representatives in Washington!

Country-of-Origin Labeling Alert

The opponents of COOL are not taking a break from attempts to kill mandatory country-of-origin labeling. We need your help from today!

Please contact your members of Congress – particularly those on the Agriculture committee – and urge them to vote NO on the COOL amendment. If passed, this amendment will effectively kill mandatory COOL.

Rep. Goodlatte (R-VA) will be offering an amendment in the House Agriculture committee to do the following:

  • Establish a “herd” definition for cattle and hogs that says an animal imported into the U.S. will be considered “USA” unless it goes directly to slaughter;
  • Overturns mandatory produce COOL for voluntary and limits to 20 most frequently consumed varieties of raw fruits and vegetables;
  • Reducing fine to $1,000 after a 30-day window of opportunity for retailer to resolve mislabeling;

If passed, this amendment will effectively kill mandatory COOL.

The number for the Capitol Switchboard is 202-225-3121. Here are some talking points for your phone call to your representative in Congress:

  • An amendment is expected to be offered to “gut” mandatory COOL. I’m calling to urge (the name of your representative) to vote against any such amendment.
  • Changing the “born-raised-slaughtered” standard of the 2002 law to a “U.S herd” definition that allows an animal from any country to become U.S. by spending 1 hour in a American feedlot is disingenuous and misleading.
  • Earlier this year, a coalition of more than 200 organizations, representing millions of Americans urged Congress to impelment the COOL law – as is – as soon as possible.
  • Consumer Reports just released a new survey showing 92 percent of Americans saying they want to know the country-of-origin of their food.
  • COOL opponents continue to argue that it is too difficult to implement COOL, despite USDA implementing the law for seafood more than 2 years ago.
  • Seafood COOL has worked, not $1 in a fine has been issued against a retailer for non-compliance – USDA can fix ALL the problems it created in its proposed rule.
  • Will (the name of your representative) vote against any amendment to “gut” COOL?

The National Farmers Union has prepared a series of COOL Fact Sheets that provide more background information. All documents can be found at http://www.nfu.org/legislation/family-farm-policy/cool

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