Rally to Support Country of Origin Labeling This Friday May 8 in Watertown

May 6, 2015 – By #South Dakota Farmer UnionSouth Dakota Farmers Union is hosting a rally to support Country of Origin Labeling or COOL, Friday May 8, 2015 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. at Belmont Park in Watertown, (on the northeast corner of Third Avenue & 9th St.).

All farmers, ranchers and citizens are encouraged to attend to show their support of clearly identifying where food, specifically meat products, are raised and processed.

Purpose of the COOL Rally: The Administration looks to be waning in its support of COOL. 

“Until now, Secretary of Agriculture, Tom Vilsack supported COOL. Now, it looks like he and the Administration are pulling their support for COOL,” said Doug Sombke, President of South Dakota Farmers Union. “Farmers Union joins with a multitude of other agriculture organizations in asking Congress to leave COOL as a federal law.”

Sombke’s comments reference a recent decision by the Administration to rely on a study that is nine-plus years old to determine whether COOL should remain a federal law versus conducting a fresh study as they promised Farmers Union leadership following Farmers Union providing financial support which defended the USDA’s position to maintain COOL as a federal law in a 2014 law suit. 

Sombke explains that COOL is important to U.S. farmers, ranchers and consumers.

“America holds our cattle producers, farmers, food manufacturers and processors to some of the highest food safety and quality standards in the world. Consumers have a right to know where their food comes from and COOL ensures this right,” said Doug Sombke, President of South Dakota Farmers Union.

To show your support for COOL, attend the May 8, 2015 COOL Rally and contact your Congressional Representatives encouraging them to leave COOL in our federal law by calling the switchboard to the Capitol at (202) 224-3121. 

MEDIA CONTACTS:
Doug Sombke, President, South Dakota Farmers Union 
605-350-4211
Karla Hofhenke, Executive Director, South Dakota Farmers Union 
605-350-5976
Matt Sibley, Legislative Specialist, South Dakota Farmers Union
605-350-8410

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Last Modified: 07/07/2015 1:11:48 pm MDT