COOL in play

The House Agriculture Committee is wrapping up its work on chairman's mark of the farm bill, but one source close to the committee said there may be an amendment on country of origin labeling offered but then withdrawn. The COOL amendment may be considered separately from all the other amendments offered today but before the bill is forward to the House floor next week. Meat industry leaders were reportedly sent into a room and told not to come out until they had agreement, but no word yet on if they have emerged in unity. In any event, some amendment is likely to be offered that will maintain the 2008 effective date, keep origin labeling mandatory but change some features of the law.