Special Report

COOL is top of mind in Denver

The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association’s summer conference is getting underway in Denver.  Country of Origin Labeling (COOL) will be one of the main topics discussed.

NCBA’s Colin Woodall says the World Trade Organization’s ruling on COOL is expected to be made public in September.  If the revised COOL rule is found to be in violation of U.S. international trade obligations, Woodall says NCBA will likely ask Congress to act.

“NCBA is not asking Congress to weigh in right now.  There’s still a lot of process left to go through here with the WTO,” Woodall says. “But we are just making sure that they are aware that the process is ongoing and we should see some sort of definitive answer from WTO soon.”

If that ruling goes against the U.S., Canada and Mexico are expected to announce retaliatory tariffs.

Here is an excerpt of comments made by Woodall in a recent NCBA Beltway Beef report.

AUDIO: Colin Woodall (2:36 MP3)