From Beef Cow-Calf weekly:
Voluntary COOL Fails To Make The Omnibus Bill
Supporters of mandatory country-of-origin labeling (COOL) celebrated a major victory this week. It was widely expected that voluntary COOL legislation would be attached to the latest omnibus bill, which would effectively have put mandatory COOL into a deep freeze. Congress, however, proved unwilling to take such a step at a time when an inconclusive BSE test was hanging over the industry's head.
While it's a victory for voluntary COOL, it's also important to note that attempts to speed up implementation of mandatory COOL were summarily dismissed. Of course, whenever you're talking about Washington, D.C., you're also talking about politics. It's obvious for both proponents of mandatory and voluntary COOL, that the 109th Congress will likely decide the issue next year.
It appears those who wish to set aside mandatory COOL for a voluntary COOL program would prefer to wait until the new Congress is seated. By waiting for the new makeup of the Congress, party leaders will be able to give those who want or need political cover on this issue the opportunity to stand firm for mandatory COOL, while making the change to voluntary anyway.
-- Troy Marshall
Voluntary COOL Fails To Make The Omnibus Bill
Supporters of mandatory country-of-origin labeling (COOL) celebrated a major victory this week. It was widely expected that voluntary COOL legislation would be attached to the latest omnibus bill, which would effectively have put mandatory COOL into a deep freeze. Congress, however, proved unwilling to take such a step at a time when an inconclusive BSE test was hanging over the industry's head.
While it's a victory for voluntary COOL, it's also important to note that attempts to speed up implementation of mandatory COOL were summarily dismissed. Of course, whenever you're talking about Washington, D.C., you're also talking about politics. It's obvious for both proponents of mandatory and voluntary COOL, that the 109th Congress will likely decide the issue next year.
It appears those who wish to set aside mandatory COOL for a voluntary COOL program would prefer to wait until the new Congress is seated. By waiting for the new makeup of the Congress, party leaders will be able to give those who want or need political cover on this issue the opportunity to stand firm for mandatory COOL, while making the change to voluntary anyway.
-- Troy Marshall
