Commissioner Miller Supports Repeal of Mandatory Country of Origin Labeling Requirements (5/18/2015)

AUSTIN – Today, Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller issued the following statement after the World Trade Organization's ruling against the United States relating to mandatory country of origin labeling.

“In order to avoid a major trade war between the United States and two of our largest trading partners, I encourage Congress to act immediately to repeal the mandatory country of origin labeling (COOL) rules for certain cuts of meat. This will allow the United States to comply with World Trade Organization (WTO) regulations. I commend Chairman of the House Agriculture Committee Mike Conaway for his commitment to quickly file legislation to repeal COOL requirements. Mandatory labeling has increased costs for American farmers and ranchers with no measurable benefit. I support giving farmers and ranchers the ability to voluntarily label their products without burdensome government mandates. If our nation does not become compliant with WTO rules, American businesses will be the ones to suffer the consequences, which include potentially devastating tariffs. American consumers also will feel the burden by being forced to pay higher food prices.”