Latest News From COOL

Nevil Speer
COOL 2.0 Won’t Improve Producer Prospects

A review of the data shows widening packer margins during the past several years have occurred for multiple reasons.  The timing of that occurrence post-COOL is coincidental.

Steve Cornett
Cornett: Do I detect some cognitive illiberalism?*

When everybody you know seems to agree on something, it’s a lot easier to believe it, too. And believe it more!

Nevil Speer
Speer: COOL Zombie Walking Again

Seven years after repeal of mandatory country-of-origin labeling, a proposal has been introduced for the Secretary of Agriculture to "determine a means of reinstating" COOL, despite evidence of "no measurable benefits."

Appeals Court Dismisses “Product of the U.S.A.” Labeling Lawsuit
Appeals Court Dismisses “Product of the U.S.A.” Labeling Lawsuit

A federal appeals court has affirmed the dismissal of a lawsuit brought by cattle ranchers over the alleged mislabeling of beef as a “Product of the U.S.A.”

Nevil Speer
Speer: Data Indicates COOL is Self-Defeating

Proponents of COOL say the law provides an advantage to U.S. beef producers and enables them to earn higher prices. But that view doesn't consider Canadian prices that have marched in lockstep with the U.S. market

Mandatory COOL Discussions Heat Up
Mandatory COOL Discussions Heat Up

"The shirts you and I are wearing today say where they come from, but the beef we put in the center of our plate doesn’t have to bear that label,” Sen. John Thune told Chip Flory on AgriTalk about mandatory COOL.

Senators Vie To Reestablish Mandatory COOL
Senators Vie To Reestablish Mandatory COOL

The American Beef Labeling Act was announced by four U.S Senators on Wednesday that would reinstate mandatory country of origin labeling (MCOOL) for beef.

Tom Vilsack
Vilsack Says He’s Open To COOL

Tom Vilsack, during Senate confirmation hearings Tuesday, said he was willing to consider reimplementation of country-of-origin labeling (COOL) regulations for meat products.

Wyoming ranch cattle
COOL: R-CALF, NFU Seek FTC Assistance

R-CALF and the National Farmers Union ask the Federal Trade Commission to correct “substantive conflicts” seen between existing federal law and USDA’s “past, present and future meat labeling schemes.”

NM Judge Rejects COOL Lawsuit
NM Judge Rejects COOL Lawsuit

A New Mexico federal judge has permanently dismissed a pair of lawsuits against the Big 4 meat packers. The decision was appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 10th Circuit.

Ag Secretary Sonny Perdue
Perdue Nixes Revival Of mCOOL, Suggests Voluntary Labels

In his State of the Rural Economy testimony before Congress this week, Ag Secretary Sonny Perdue said USDA is working to develop a voluntary label for beef products that will conform to WTO regulations.

COOL was repealed in 2015
COOL, Packers To Clash In N.M. Court

A pair of lawsuits filed in New Mexico charge the nation's four largest meatpackers are misleading consumers with false labels on beef products.

Beef top sirloin label.
USCA Says Producers, Consumers Deserve 'Accurate Labels'

The U.S. Cattlemen's Association calls for "accurate meat labels" and noted they have asked FSIS to use certain labeling claims to be used exclusively for cattle "born, raised and slaughtered" in the U.S.

NCBA has reaffirmed its policy supporting voluntary country-of-origin labeling (COOL).
NCBA Seeks Clarity, Consistency in Beef Origin Labeling Practices

NCBA says it will work with the USDA's Food Safety Inspection Service (FSIS) to address the Agency’s longstanding policy on geographic origin statements for beef.

USCA; NCBA Release Statements about South Dakota Labeling Legislation
USCA; NCBA Release Statements about South Dakota Labeling Legislation

This week South Dakota Senators John Thune (R-SD) and Mike Rounds (R-SD) introduced a bill to amend the Federal Meat Inspection Act to modify requirements that meat is labeled “Product of U.S.A.”

Kacy Atkinson
Commentary: ‘Get In The Freaking Ark!'

Fifth-generation Wyoming rancher Kacy Atkinson says it’s time for cattlemen to stop the infighting and begin to understand the real issues affecting the beef industry.

Checkoff War May Impact Entire Agriculture Industry
Checkoff War May Impact Entire Agriculture Industry

A checkoff war has farmers and livestock producers caught in the crossfire, and the ramifications could significantly impact the foundation of the beef and soybean checkoff system.

Meat of the Matter: Beef thievery
Meat of the Matter: Beef thievery

Most Americans consider Canadians to be discreet, genteel and oh-so polite. But we share one cultural connection: thieves love beef, no matter what their citizenship.

Meat of the Matter: Snack attack
Meat of the Matter: Snack attack

A pair of innovative marketers may have found a way to address consumer concerns about health and the environment with a simple strategy: open package, consume product.

Argentina lifts beef export quotas

Argentina's new government has informally lifted restrictions on beef exports imposed by the previous government in a bid to ensure reasonable prices at home, the secretary for agriculture, livestock and fisheries told