Sens. Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) and John Hoeven (R-ND) last week introduced the Voluntary Country of Origin Labeling (COOL) and Trade Enhancement Act of 2015 , which would establish a voluntary "Product of the U.S." label for beef, pork, chicken and ground meats that are from animals born, raised and harvested in the U.S.
In May, the WTO issued a final decision, without the possibility of appeal, in which it upheld an earlier ruling affirming that the mandatory COOL law and regulations violate U.S. international trade obligations and illegally discriminate against imported livestock from Canada and Mexico.
The Canadian and Mexican governments, however, oppose the voluntary COOL bill, stating that it would continue the segregation and discrimination against the countries' livestock.
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