Montana Ag Community Applauds Zinke’s Vote to Repeal Mandatory COOL Regulations

Montana Ag Community Applauds Zinke’s Vote to Repeal Mandatory COOL Regulations

(WASHINGTON) June 11, 2015 – Today Montana agriculture leaders applauded Congressman Ryan Zinke for voting in favor of repealing mandatory country of origin labeling (COOL) for agriculture products by voting YES on H.R. 2393, the Country of Origin Labeling Amendments Act of 2015. The measure passed with overwhelming bipartisan support by a vote of 300-131. Montana Stockgrowers, Wool Growers and Pork Producers applauded Zinke’s vote.

COOL regulations were implemented on beef, pork and lamb in 2002; however earlier this year the World Trade Organization ruled in favor of a Canadian complaint that the U.S. labeling law was in violation of WTO code.  This prompted the House of Representatives to act in order to prevent retaliatory tariffs against U.S. producers. Under H.R. 2393, producers are still allowed to label their meat as made in the U.S.A., however it is not required.

“I’ve listened to Montana farmers and ranchers, and it’s clear: Maintaining strong trade relationships with our top trade partner Canada, and our other allies, is critical to the success of Montana’s entire agriculture community,” said Rep. Zinke.  “In Montana we export more agriculture goods globally than every other industry combined. Repealing COOL regulations while still allowing beef, pork and lamb producers to maintain ‘Made in the U.S.A.’ labels will return certainty to our agriculture industry and allow Montana farmers, ranchers and related trades to compete globally for years to come.”

“The Montana Stock Growers Association thanks Congressman Zinke for voting to repeal the mandatory labeling regulations,” said Errol Rice, Executive Vice President, Montana Stockgrowers Association Inc.” This is critical in order to bring us up to date with WTO ordinances and prevent billions of dollars in retaliatory action from Canada and Mexico that would harm Montana’s entire agriculture industry. As Congress moves forward with a new plan for beef labeling the MSGA looks forward to working with Congressman Zinke and others to craft an industry-led labeling program that works for Montana’s stock growers and our customers around the globe.”

“Congressman Zinke’s vote in favor of the COOL reform bill is a vote in favor of Montana Wool Growers and the entire agriculture industry,” said Jim Brown, President, Montana Wool Growers Association. “The bill strikes a delicate balance between implementing the WTO’s rules against the U.S. and avoiding retaliatory trade measures by Canada and Mexico, while still allowing livestock producers, such as Montana’s sheep producers, to advertise that our products are grown right here in the U.S.A.  We thank Congressman Zinke for being a steadfast defender of Montana’s agriculture industry and the thousands of jobs it supports in our state.”

“Montana Pork Producers applaud Congressman Zinke for his vote to roll back COOL regulations and put American agriculture more in line with our global competitors,” said John Rauser, President, Montana Pork Producers Council. “Agriculture is Montana’s largest export and repealing the COOL requirement while still giving producers the option of labeling our products as Montana made or made in the U.S.A. helps all of us compete in a global industry.  Montana Pork Producers and all pork producers cannot afford to pay a $3 billion retaliation tariff imposed by Canada and Mexico against U.S. pork and beef.”

“Retaliation from COOL will have a major impact on our economy and our trading relationships,” said Dusty Hahn, Rancher, Townsend, MT. “Trade accounts for over $300 of value for every head sold, and jeopardizing our relationships with two of our largest trading partners will only continue to hurt the bottom line of cattle producers like myself. The economic analysis mandated by Congress reported that COOL has already cost our industry 8.07 billion over 10 years. COOL is simply a failed marketing program and I appreciate Rep. Zinke’s support to repeal COOL before retaliation from two of our largest trading partners takes place.”

Press Release, Congressman Ryan Zinke