Not COOL

[Jim Meade / Iowa City]

The World Trade Organization (WTO) has said the U.S. COOL regs aren't acceptable.  Now, if the U.S. doesn't modifyf it's stance, Canada and Mexico might decide to get soem countervailing actions going.

'Country of origin labeling helps consumers make informed purchasing decisions, and the WTO has now reaffirmed the United States' right to provide consumers information about the origin of their food," a USDA spokesman said. "However, we are disappointed with the WTO's finding that the labeling methods for beef and pork do not comply with international trade obligations.'

So says USDA.  

What do you think?  I'm not sure I care.

[buckfarmer]

I guess we don't want to lose market share. Even the grain farmers would indirectly lose also. What will it take to make the WTO happy?

[Kay/NC]

Cbut, California can ban eggs from layer houses it deems to be too large...is this just all making anyone else crazy, except for me?

[hanktbd]

WTO claims cool discriminates against their products. Fact is that cool allows consumers to choose the brand of products they prefer which happens to be raised in the USA. If other countries want US consumers to choose their brand, they need to improve their product quality. No wine drinkers discriminate against French wine because they have built a reputation for quality. Same with US beef and other farm products.

[k-289]

Can't meat be labeled in the same manner as fruit and veggies from a source out side our borders - what's the problem YUGO verses BMW ? ?    

[k-289]

Also walking thru the meat counter at HyVee yesterday why would anyone paying $4.50 lb. for ground beef or $7-$10-$12 a lb. want to know where their purchase came from - ? Imported product should be exempt ?

[Jameshh1964]

Why wouldn't you want to know where your food comes from? The disconnect between farmers and consumers is already wide enough without encouraging more of it, in opinion anyway.

[ECIN]

I have to agree with 1964 - I like the idea of knowing where my food come from - So I don't buy any of that organic grown crap 

[Shaggy98]

Ouch

[k-289]

EC - why bother to label anything - car , combines, whiskey, Idaho potatoes, vidalia onions, Ben & Jerry's  ?