South Dakota Farmers Union joins with National Farmers Union Assures Senate There Remains a Viable Path Forward to Save The Law, Satisfy WTO

June 15, 2015 – By #South Dakota Farmer Union

South Dakota Farmers Union is disappointed with the June 10 vote in the U.S. House of Representatives to repeal Country-of-Origin Labeling (COOL).

 “The National Farmers Union President said it best, this was a ‘disappointing, knee-jerk overreaction'” said Doug Sombke, South Dakota Farmers Union President, quoting NFU President, Roger Johnson.

 Moving forward, Sombke urges the U.S. Senate to continue its thoughtful handling of the World Trade Organization (WTO) dispute. “We are working with Rep. Noem to ensure that our members, South Dakota’s farmers, ranchers and consumers don’t lose COOL completely,” Sombke said. “We are positioning ourselves to fight another day – which is better than having no ground for COOL at all.

NFU will work with Congress on a clear path forward that will both resolve the WTO dispute and continue to provide consumers with accurate information about the of their food.

 “Instead of allowing members of Congress the opportunity to debate and come to a reasonable solution to deal with the WTO compliance issue, the House has instead given us a reflexive reaction to repeal a very popular labeling law that provides important information to the nation’s consumers and is strongly supported by both consumers and family farmers,” said Roger Johnson, NFU President. “The House leadership is not interested in any reasonable solutions and blocked all amendments.”

 Johnson noted that in past disputes, WTO members found ways to work together to arrive at a resolution that worked for all parties. “Unfortunately, today’s action by the U.S. House of Representatives does not work towards a resolution that maintains the integrity of COOL and satisfies WTO obligations. It instead signals an acceptance of defeat when there are still viable alternatives,” he said.   

 Johnson said he has faith that calmer heads in the Senate will prevail and allow for discussion about an alternative proposal for moving forward. “We call upon the U.S. Senate to avoid the rush to judgment demonstrated by the House today and work with COOL supporters on a viable alternative that will finally bring this long process to closure,” Johnson said.

 He added that family farmers and ranchers across the country appreciated the work of: Reps. Collin Peterson, D-Minnesota; Rosa DeLauro, D-Connecticut; Jim McGovern, D-Massachusetts; Chellie Pingree, D-Maine; Marcy Kaptur, D-Ohio; Rick Nolan, D-Minnesota; Thomas Massie, R-Kentucky; Earl Blumenauer, D-Oregon; Lloyd Doggett, D-Texas; and others who stood strong for COOL and the right to know the origin of our food. “We greatly appreciate their continued willingness to stand up for America’s consumers and farm families,” said Johnson.

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Last Modified: 07/07/2015 8:56:35 am MDT