Cool on COOL

One of the interesting things that Rep. Collin Peterson said yesterday in his teleconference was in reference to the country of origin labeling law, and whether there would be an attempt to include a fix to the law in the farm bill.

Peterson seemed to indicate that both the meat industry and the fruit and vegetable industry have failed to reach a consensus approach about what should be done. He did say that Rep. Bob Goodlatte favors a voluntary approach to labeling.

I'm puzzled by Peterson's reference to the lack of consensus by the f/v industry. Everything we hear is that all have endorsed a voluntary plan with mandatory triggers. Why the perception the industry is not together? Perhaps it is because, bottom line, Peterson favors the mandatory approach.

Or it could be that the Food Marketing Institute would prefer an outright repeal of mandatory COOL over the industry plan. The FMI, in my view, has not been that vocal or public in its support of the industry's voluntary plan with mandatory triggers.

If that perception is correct, FMI needs to step up and forcefully back the industry plan if there is any hope to include a fix in the farm bill to the current mandatory COOL law.

Meanwhile, check out this link that talks about a country of origin labeling proposal in Massachusetts.