Enzi Cool on House Efforts to Stop Food Labeling

Statement

A House appropriations subcommittee voted to delay implementation of mandatory country of origin labeling (COOL) for meat this week, but U.S. Sen. Mike Enzi, R-Wyo., a strong proponent of COOL, is hopeful the effort will fizzle and will work to defeat the anti-COOL measure should it continue to move forward.

"Like the nagging symptoms of a progressive disease, the House efforts to derail COOL, keep coming back. We're still in the early stages though and with proper treatment we can keep COOL on a healthy track. This was a subcommittee vote so it still has to go to the full committee and then get past the House as a whole. If the anti-COOL provisions make it that far they are going to meet with resistance in the Senate.

"We've been very clear in the Senate about our support for COOL. I introduced S. 108, my COOL border bill, with Senator Tim Johnson, D-S.D., earlier this year. My legislation would prohibit the importation of live cattle and meat products from Canada until meat being sold is labeled by country of origin. Wyoming's cattle producers and American consumers deserve COOL.

"I voted in favor of the Senate-passed resolution in March that would prevent the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) from opening the U.S. border to imports of Canadian cattle unless COOL is implemented. The sooner we get COOL in place the sooner consumers can better educate themselves about what they are putting into their bodies. We already know where the clothing we wear is coming from. It only makes sense that we should know as much about our food.

"I was pleased to be joined by a bipartisan group of Senators as we worked to defeat attempts to change COOL from a mandatory program to a voluntary program in the fiscal year 2005 appropriations process. I am prepared to do it again.

"I believe that we need COOL as soon as possible and I am hopeful there are enough senators who agree that we will be able to turn back this latest salvo by the big meat packing conglomerates."

Mandatory labeling for meats, fruits and vegetables is scheduled to go into effect next year.

Source