While American consumers have a fundamental right to know where products are made or processed and therefore can choose the country of origin for their purchasing choice for their clothes, their shoes and their seafood, they do not have the same fundamental right to have a choice to buy American beef or pork.
Over a year ago, Congress repealed mandatory Country of Origin Labeling (COOL), and a year ago calf prices dropped by over $500.00 per head. That is not only money out of the farmer’s pocket, but it is money that will not be spent in rural communities. Farmers, truck dealerships, farm supply stores and every small business in rural communities loses.
Consumers have a right to choose American beef and pork, and rural communities deserve to have their share of the consumers’ dollars. COOL could be reinstated through Congressional legislation or through President Trump’s negotiations with Canada and Mexico.