COOL Implementation Delayed

WASHINGTON - Jun 9/05 - SNS -- Implementation of Mandatory Country-of-Origin Labeling (COOL) for meat and meat products has been further delayed by the U.S. Congress, which voted 240 to 186 against enacting the law.

The delay was included in the bill by House Agriculture Appropriations Chairman Henry Bonilla (R-TX). House Majority Whip Roy Blunt (R-MO), Agriculture Chairman Bob Goodlatte (R-VA) and Rep. Marion Berry (D-AR) also led efforts for the delay.

"This victory further exposes the faults and unworkable structure of the current law," said AMI's Senior Vice President of Legislative Affairs Mike Brown.

"For years, packers and producers have sought a market-driven COOL program that keeps the pork and beef sectors competitive, domestically and internationally," said Brown. "This delay provides Congress the opportunity to draft legislation that empowers consumers to determine the availability of COOL for meat products and keeps our industry competitive."

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