Farms.com Home   Ag Industry News

House of Representatives vote in favor of repealing COOL

The bill will now be presented to the US Senate

By Diego Flammini, Farms.com

The United States House of Representatives has voted in favor of repealing the controversial country-of-origin labelling (COOL), a measure that’s caused some agricultural trade tension with respect to American agriculture trade with Canada and Mexico.

The House voted 300-131 late Wednesday to get rid of the COOL policy that mandates producers and processors identify where an animal was born, raised and slaughtered.

Vote ballot

The vote comes after Canada and Mexico approached the World Trade Organization (WTO) to impose monetary retaliations on the United States. Canada asked for a $2.5 billion retaliation and Mexico a $653 million retaliation.

The WTO is the governing body that’s denied the American push for COOL on four different occasions.

While the vote is a big step in the right direction, Canadian officials realize there’s still a way to go.

“(Wednesday’s) vote in the U.S. House of Representatives sends a strong bipartisan message that COOL must be repealed once and for all,” said Minister of Agriculture Gerry Ritz. “While this marks a positive step, the only way for the United States to avoid billions in retaliation by late summer is to ensure legislation repealing COOL passes the Senate and is signed by the President.”

The next step in the process to repeal COOL is to present the measure to the U.S. Senate where support is split.

Kentucky Republican Thomas Massie reminded his colleagues that an oath was taken to the Constitution and not to the WTO.

Agriculture Committee Chairman Pat Roberts, a Republican from Kansas said repealing COOL is the best way to protect the American economy from retaliatory tariffs.

Tell us your thoughts about the House of Representatives voting to repeal COOL. What do you think will happen when the bill is in front of the Senate?


Trending Video

Will a Weak U.S. High-Pressure Ridge = Summer Grain Rally?

Video: Will a Weak U.S. High-Pressure Ridge = Summer Grain Rally?


U.S. weather remains bearish through the 2nd - 3rd week of June but the forecast for a weak hot/dry weather forecast for the U.S. Western Corn Belt for end of June/July could see a late corn summer rally.
Where are the 90 trade deals in 90 days? Stocks continue to climb the wall of worry with U.S. Q1 earnings +13% better than expected!
A head and shoulders bottom in wheat looks promising ahead of the U.S. harvest.
The Sunday night weather forecast will become more critical over the next 10-12 weeks!