FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(May 19, 2015)

Contact: Andrew Jerome, 202-314-3106
ajerome@nfudc.org

WASHINGTON (May 19, 2015) – National Farmers Union (NFU) kicked off a special Spring Fly-In of family farmers and ranchers from across the country meeting with their elected officials in Washington and underscoring their unwavering support for Country-of-Origin Labeling (COOL) and the need for Congress to allow the World Trade Organization (WTO) process to conclude without interference.

“COOL is clearly one of the most important issues for rural America, and NFU members have chosen to travel to Washington to voice their commitment and unwavering support for this popular labeling law,” said Roger Johnson, NFU president.

Sixty Farmers Union members from 27 states arrived in the nation’s capital this week, determined to meet with a targeted group of legislators to urge them to stand strong behind COOL and allow the WTO process to conclude without their intervention.

“Despite the recent WTO decision, there is still a path forward for COOL,” said Johnson. “For Congress to insert itself in the middle of the WTO process would not only be unprecedented in U.S. history, but would also be a disservice to consumers who want to know where their food is from and to producers who are proud to provide the information,” he said.

In order to impose retaliatory tariffs on U.S. goods, Canada will have to prove that COOL has caused real economic harm to their agriculture sector, which will not be easy given the recent study out of Auburn University that found it was the economic collapse of 2008 – not COOL – that caused a dip in their cattle exports to the U.S.

“Until the Canadians prove that point, Congress needs to keep its hands off COOL,” said Johnson.

NFU’s Special Spring Fly-In meetings will be held May 19, 20 and 21. For more information about Fly-In events, visit www.NFU.org.

National Farmers Union has been working since 1902 to protect and enhance the economic well-being and quality of life for family farmers, ranchers and rural communities through advocating grassroots-driven policy positions adopted by its membership.

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