With the recent release of the Senate Farm Bill text (finally!) and rumors of a Farm Bill being signed during the lame-duck session, the fate of Country of Origin Labeling (COOL) for beef remains uncertain. If a Farm Bill is signed this year, it’s unlikely to be a fresh start. Instead, we’re looking at yet another extension of the current Farm Bill. Most likely, this will mean continuing subsidy programs with little new policy. However, there’s also a chance Congress could pass a shorter-term bill lasting just a few years.
Our best hope for COOL lies in Senator John Thune (R-South Dakota), who is now the Majority Leader of the Republican Party. Representing South Dakota, Senator Thune co-sponsored the American Beef Labeling Act, which aimed to reinstate COOL. This policy would bring much-needed transparency to consumers while supporting American cattle producers.
However, Senator Thune faces opposition from Senator John Boozman (R-Arkansas), the new Chair of the Senate Agriculture Committee. Senator Boozman has long been a vocal opponent of COOL, making him a significant obstacle to its inclusion in the Farm Bill.
The big question is: Does Senator Thune have the influence and motivation to push COOL into law? The good news is that COOL has bipartisan support and could easily pass the Senate if brought to a vote. But it’s up to Senator Thune to make it a priority.
This is the time to act. Contact Senator Thune and urge him to champion the policy he co-wrote in the American Beef Labeling Act. Let’s make sure COOL isn’t left on the cutting room floor again. Consumers deserve transparency, and American ranchers deserve fair recognition for their products.