It’s been reported that the World Trade Organization is moving against the U.S. consumer information law known as country-of-origin labeling or COOL. COOL requires U.S. food retailers to label foods – including beef, lamb, pork, fruits and vegetables – noting where they came from. R-CALF USA COOL Committee Chair Mike Schultz says American cattle farmers and ranchers support the law because it enables consumers to exercise choice in the marketplace. He says it also allows consumers to differentiate and select U.S.-grown beef from the growing volumes of imported beef sourced from over a dozen foreign countries.

Canada and Mexico didn’t want the COOL law to pass back in 2008 – and both countries filed a formal complaint with the WTO shortly after the law went into effect. They stated the law violated international agreements. Reports this week suggest the WTO is siding with those foreign countries. Schultz calls this move a wake-up call to every U.S. family. He says people have a right to know and want to know where their food comes from. He encourages people to call their legislators and voice their opinions on this issue.