Campaign for Family Farms
Fighting for family farmers, rural communities and the environment

TAKING ACTION ON CORPORATE POWER IN AGRICULTURE!
SAVE COUNTRY OF ORIGIN LABELING (COOL)
FROM BEING DERAILED!

Congress adopted a new law earlier this year requiring that fresh meat, fish and produce be labeled by country of origin in grocery stores beginning in September 2004. This would mean that consumers would have the ability for the first time to make decisions about where their food comes from-the United States or from foreign importers. Farmers would have a tool for educating consumers about the importance of keeping US family farmers on the land.

On June 17, the House Agricultural Appropriations Subcommittee reopened the 2002 Farm Bill by passing an amendment that removes USDA funding to implement COOL on red meat. This action is a slap in the face to U.S. livestock producers who worked hard to pass this law to keep livestock markets here at home competitive and fair. Members of the House leadership are siding with the corporate meatpackers and turning their backs to U.S. consumers who want the best information possible to provide their families with safe, healthful food.

Tyson/IBP, Cargill, Smithfield, National Cattlemen's Beef Association, National Pork Producers Council, the American Meat Institute and others have joined forces to stop COOL in its tracks. Now it's up to us. Do we want to allow corporate agribusiness to derail our rights to know where our food comes from? Do we want to let USDA and the meatpackers take away another victory for family farmers?

We need calls today to key members of the full House Appropriations Committee. Tell them to reinstate COOL funding for red meat. The Appropriations Committee will likely decide this week whether or not to fully fund COOL. They need to hear from YOU! Call your Representative and the Representatives on the Appropriations Committee listed below and tell them to provide full funding for COOL.

HOW CAN I HELP SAVE COUNTRY OF ORIGIN LABELING?

1. Call your US Representative at 202-224-3121 and tell him or her to reinstate full funding for COOL. Also, if you're from the home state of one of the following U.S. Representatives on the House Appropriations Committee, call them too, even if you don't live in their district.

Rep. Martin Olav Sabo (D-MN)
Rep. Ray LaHood (R-IL)
Rep. David Obey (D-WI)
Rep. Jo Ann Emerson (R-MO)
Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. (D-IL)
Rep. Tom Latham (R-IA)
Rep. Mark Steven Kirk (R-IL)

2. Call Rep. Bill Young (R-FL), the House Appropriations Chairperson, and give him the same message - "Reinstate full funding for Country of Origin Labeling!"

Also read Campaign for Family Farms Statement on Country of Origin Labeling.