PRESIDENTIAL PARADIGMS
American Consumers Should Have the Right to Choose
Charles Wilfong, President, West Virginia Farm Bureau
On May 18, the World Trade
Organization (WTO) issued its
final ruling on the challenge
by Canada and Mexico of
the United States’ COOL
(Country of Origin Labeling)
requirements for beef, pork
and chicken. The requirements
would make retail outlets
label where the beef, pork and
chicken they sold were born, raised and slaughtered.
These requirements were implemented in 2009
and were challenged to the WTO shortly thereafter
by Canada and Mexico. In 2012, the WTO initially
ruled in favor of Canada and Mexico. The U.S.
appealed, and made modifications to the requirements
last year. The May 18th decision denied the appeal,
and gives Canada and Mexico the right to implement
sanctions and tariffs on a variety of U.S. products,
including agricultural products.
Congress is already moving toward repealing
COOL. In other words, we are surrendering. This is
the wrong approach.
The United States should never have entered into
a trade agreement that did not allow for consumers
to have the basic right to know where their food
comes from. Canada and Mexico claim that COOL
puts their products at a disadvantage. But why should
our consumers not be allowed to choose? As long as
Canada and Mexico produce worthy products, what
is the problem? Or do they want to hide behind the
proven quality of U.S. products? American farmers
should be able to capitalize on the good job they do,
producing products of high quality and purity.
We do not want to have a trade war with our two
largest trading partners, but we shouldn’t surrender
our sovereignty, either. Surveys show 9 out of 10
see Wilfong, page 20
Planting the Seeds for Smart Corporate Policy
Bob Stallman, President,