Corn growers seek repeal of Country of Origin Labeling

The Country of Origin Labeling (COOL) law contains noncompliant provisions that the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) wants to have repealed.

The NCGA is taking aim at the areas of the law that pertain to international trade obligations. Recently, the World Trade Organization decided that Canada and Mexico can move forward with retaliatory tariffs for U.S. noncompliance on COOL meat labeling, totaling approximately $1 billion.

“Congress must act to fix COOL now,” Ohio farmer John Linder, chair of the NCGA Trade and Biotechnology Action Team, said. “Canada and Mexico represent two of our largest trading partners. Noncompliance threatens our market share and has serious ramifications for the entire food supply chain and the rural economy. America’s farmers and ranchers cannot afford to wait any longer. We urge Congress to bring the U.S. into compliance.”

The NCGA and more than 140 United States food, agriculture and manufacturing organizations are members of the COOL Reform Coalition, which advocates for U.S. compliance with the World Trade Organization’s obligations.

The NCGA represents over 40,000 corn-farming members and 48 affiliated organizations.